Hydrogen Water Reduces Heart Disease by Improving Gut Health
- Authors
- Fanxianzi Meng, Minghai Xue, Huili Li, Geru Tao, Wei Chen, Yuanmin Li, Hui Pei, Zhichao Liu, Deling Yin, Shucun Qin, Junli Xue, Boyan Liu
- Journal
- Life Sciences
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.lfs.2026.124418
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Atherosclerosis
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich water reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation and improved plaque stability in ApoE-/- mice, with benefits mediated through gut microbiota changes, increased propionate production, and reduced inflammatory macrophage activation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation and improved plaque stability in mice, with effects mediated through changes in gut bacteria composition and increased propionate levels.
Summary
Researchers gave hydrogen-rich water to mice genetically prone to atherosclerosis (a condition where fatty deposits build up in arteries). The mice that drank hydrogen-rich water developed smaller plaques (deposits) in their arteries and had more stable plaques compared to control mice. The protective effect appeared to work through changes in gut bacteria and increased levels of a compound called propionate, which reduced inflammation in immune cells.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing a potential mechanism by which hydrogen-rich water might support cardiovascular health, but human studies are needed before any health claims can be made. The findings are promising but limited to mice, so it's unclear whether the same effects would occur in people.
Abstract
Aims: Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a safe gaseous signaling molecule with anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to explore the anti-atherosclerotic effects of hydrogen-rich water (H2W) and clarify the underlying mechanism involving the gut microbiota and its metabolites. Materials and methods: ApoE-/- mice were administered H2W to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque development and stability. Gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid levels were analyzed. Antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were used to verify the mediating role of the gut microbiota. In vitro assays were performed to examine the effects of propionate on macrophage inflammation and polarization. Key findings: H2W consumption significantly attenuated plaque formation and enhanced plaque stability in ApoE-/- mice, accompanied by altered gut microbiota structure and short-chain fatty acid profiles. Antibiotic treatment abolished the protective effects of H2W, while FMT from H2W-treated mice transferred the anti-atherosclerotic phenotype. H2W notably increased propionate levels in cecal contents and serum. Propionate directly suppressed inflammatory responses and M1 macrophage polarization in vitro. Significance: This study demonstrates that H2W alleviates atherosclerosis by modulating the gut microbiota-propionate-macrophage axis. Our findings highlight H2W as a promising and safe intervention for atherosclerosis and provide new mechanistic insights into the crosstalk between gut microbial metabolites and vascular inflammation.