Hydrogen Water May Increase Eye Pressure in Healthy People
- Authors
- Eliška Najmanová, František Pluháček, Hana Manethová, Michal Botek
- Journal
- Czech and Slovak Ophthalmology
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.31348/2023/23
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Health Condition
- Glaucoma
- Body System
- Ocular
TL;DR
Drinking a large amount of hydrogen-rich water quickly can lead to a significant, and potentially concerning, rise in eye pressure compared to drinking regular water.
Key Finding
Drinking 1,260 ml of hydrogen-rich water caused a larger increase in eye pressure than regular water in healthy adults, with 58% of participants experiencing clinically significant pressure elevation compared to 25% with placebo.
Summary
Researchers gave 24 healthy young adults either hydrogen-rich water or regular water and measured the pressure inside their eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP) over 75 minutes. Both types of water caused eye pressure to increase, but hydrogen-rich water produced larger pressure increases in most people—58% experienced clinically significant increases compared to 25% with regular water. The thickness of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) did not change.
Practical Takeaway
This small study in healthy young adults suggests that consuming large amounts of hydrogen-rich water quickly may raise eye pressure more than regular water. However, the long-term significance of this finding is unclear, and people with glaucoma or high eye pressure should consult their eye doctor before consuming hydrogen-rich water, as further research in at-risk populations is needed.
Abstract (excerpt)
Purposes: The primary aim of the study was to assess the response of intraocular pressure (IOP) to the acute ingestion of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) compared to hydrogen-free water (placebo) in healthy subjects. The effect of HRW intake on central corneal thickness (CCT) was also monitored. Subjects…