Hydrogen Water Prevents Memory Loss from Chronic Stress in Mice
- Authors
- Kazufumi Nagata, Naomi Nakashima-Kamimura, Toshio Mikami, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Shigeo Ohta
- Journal
- Neuropsychopharmacology
- Year
- 2009
- DOI
- 10.1038/npp.2008.95
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Cognitive Impairment
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-enriched water can protect against memory and learning problems in mice caused by stress, by reducing harmful oxidative stress in the brain.
Key Finding
Drinking hydrogen water throughout chronic stress prevented mice from developing stress-induced learning and memory problems by reducing oxidative stress in the brain and promoting new cell growth in the hippocampus.
Summary
Researchers gave mice chronic stress through physical restraint and found that drinking hydrogen-enriched water prevented the stress-related decline in learning and memory. The hydrogen water reduced harmful molecules called oxidative stress markers in the brain and boosted the growth of new brain cells in a region important for memory (the hippocampus). However, hydrogen water did not improve learning in unstressed mice, suggesting it specifically counteracts stress-related cognitive damage.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen water may help protect cognitive function under chronic stress conditions, but it's early-stage research in mice only. The finding that hydrogen water didn't improve cognition in non-stressed animals suggests it may work as a stress-protective measure rather than a general cognitive enhancer. Human studies would be needed to determine if these results apply to people.
Abstract (excerpt)
We have reported that hydrogen (H(2)) acts as an efficient antioxidant by gaseous rapid diffusion. When water saturated with hydrogen (hydrogen water) was placed into the stomach of a rat, hydrogen was detected at several microM level in blood. Because hydrogen gas is unsuitable for continuous…