Hydrogen Water Was Linked to Reduced Artery Disease in Mice
Consumption of hydrogen water prevents atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Ikuroh Ohsawa, Kiyomi Nishimaki, Kumi Yamagata, Masahiro Ishikawa, Shigeo Ohta
- Journal
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
- Year
- 2008
- PMID
- 18996093
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water, Commercial (Blue Mercury)
- Dose
- H2-dissolved water ad libitum from 2 to 6 months old
- H₂ concentration
- saturated level
- Duration
- 4 months
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 185 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking water with added hydrogen gas can reduce the development of artery-clogging disease in mice genetically prone to such conditions.
Key Finding
Mice that drank hydrogen-enriched water developed significantly fewer atherosclerotic lesions in their arteries and showed reduced oxidative stress in aortic tissue compared to controls.
Summary
Researchers gave mice genetically engineered to develop atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in arteries) hydrogen-enriched water to drink for four months. The mice that drank hydrogen water developed significantly fewer atherosclerotic lesions in their arteries compared to control mice, and their aortic tissue showed lower levels of oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules). This suggests hydrogen water may help prevent artery disease by reducing harmful oxidative stress.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen water may help prevent atherosclerosis by reducing oxidative stress, but the findings are limited to mice with a genetic predisposition to the disease. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine whether these results apply to people. The study does not provide evidence that hydrogen water would prevent or treat atherosclerosis in humans.
Abstract (excerpt)
Oxidative stress is implicated in atherogenesis; however most clinical trials with dietary antioxidants failed to show marked success in preventing atherosclerotic diseases. We have found that hydrogen (dihydrogen; H(2)) acts as an effective antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress [I. Ohsawa, M…