Hydrogen Water Reduced Depression-Like Symptoms in Mice
Effects of hydrogen-rich water on depressive-like behavior in mice
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Yi Zhang, Wen-Jun Su, Ying Chen, Teng-Yun Wu, Hong Gong, Xiao-Liang Shen, Yun-Xia Wang, Xue-Jun Sun, Chun-Lei Jiang
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2016
- PMID
- 27026206
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 4 weeks of hydrogen-rich water feeding
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 79 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking water with added hydrogen can reduce signs of depression in mice by lowering inflammation and stress in the brain.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water prevented depression-like behavior in stressed mice by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful oxygen molecules) in key brain regions.
Summary
This study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water could reduce depression-like symptoms in mice exposed to chronic stress. Researchers found that mice given hydrogen-rich water for 4 weeks showed fewer depression-like behaviors and had lower levels of inflammatory molecules and harmful oxygen compounds in their brains compared to stressed mice that didn't receive the hydrogen water.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research conducted only in mice, so it cannot yet tell us whether hydrogen water would help human depression. The findings suggest hydrogen may work by reducing brain inflammation, but human studies would be needed to determine if this translates to actual therapeutic benefit and whether it could be a useful addition to existing depression treatments.
Abstract (excerpt)
Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation and oxidative stress may be major contributors to major depressive disorder (MDD). Patients or animal models of depression show significant increase of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and oxidative stress biomarkers in the periphery…