Hydrogen Water Reduces Fatigue and Boosts Mental Performance in Study
- Authors
- T. Watanabe, S. Tsuji, N. Hiramatsu, T. Monden, O. Kajimoto
- Journal
- Japanese Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Year
- 2018
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Fatigue
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water appears to reduce feelings of sleepiness and tension, and improve motivation and relaxation, possibly due to its antioxidant effects.
Key Finding
After 4 weeks of drinking hydrogen-rich water, healthy adults reported significantly less sleepiness and tension, faster reaction times during mental tasks, and measurable reductions in oxidative stress markers compared to placebo.
Summary
Researchers gave 24 healthy people either hydrogen-rich water or a placebo for 4 weeks to see if it could reduce fatigue from daily activities and mental tasks. People who drank the hydrogen-rich water reported feeling less sleepy and tense, and more motivated and relaxed after mental work. They also reacted faster on thinking tests and showed lower levels of oxidative stress markers (signs of cellular damage) in their blood compared to the placebo group.
Practical Takeaway
This small, short-term study in healthy people suggests hydrogen-rich water may help reduce fatigue sensations and improve mental task performance, possibly through reducing oxidative stress. However, the study involved only 24 people over 4 weeks, so larger and longer studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions about real-world benefits for fatigue management.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objectives In 2007, the first report that hydrogen removes active oxygen was published, and many clinical and non-clinical studies have since been conducted using hydrogen gas or water. Several diseases and symptoms are related to active oxygen, and fatigue is also induced by increases in oxidative…