Hydrogen Water Reduces Gum Inflammation in Rats
Effect of electrolyzed reduced water on malondialdehyde levels and neutrophil cells in aggressive periodontitis
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Markus B. Rahardjo, Rini D. Ridwan, Delaneira A.D. Hikmah
- Journal
- Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
- Year
- 2018
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- 20 ml/day for three successive days
- Duration
- 3 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 0 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Indonesia
TL;DR
Drinking electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) can reduce inflammation-causing cells in rats with severe gum disease without affecting certain damage indicators.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed reduced water reduced neutrophil cell accumulation in gum tissue of rats with aggressive periodontitis by approximately 74% compared to control water.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with a severe gum infection either regular water or electrolyzed reduced water (water treated with electricity to increase hydrogen content and raise pH). After three days of treatment, the rats receiving electrolyzed reduced water had significantly fewer neutrophil cells (immune cells that accumulate during inflammation) in their gum tissue compared to the control group. Markers of oxidative stress (cellular damage) showed only minor differences between groups.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting electrolyzed reduced water may have anti-inflammatory effects on gum disease, but the findings cannot yet be applied to humans. The study was very short (three days) and conducted only in rats, so much more research—including human trials—would be needed before drawing any conclusions about its usefulness for people with gum disease.
Abstract (excerpt)
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and neutrophil cells in Wistar rats suffering from aggressive periodontitis. Methods: Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans before being divided into a control…