Hydrogen Water Helps Young Fish Survive Cold Temperature Stress
Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Under Acute Low-Temperature Stress
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Liver System · Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (largemouth bass (micropterus salmoides))
- Authors
- Qianqian Xu, Haolin Wang, Xue Chen, Long Chen, Paini Xin, Hua Liu, Ying Yang
- Journal
- Antioxidants
- Year
- 2026
- PMID
- 42352048
- Study Type
- Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
- Participants
- 480
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- Reared in hydrogen-rich water at three concentrations (H1: 0.3 mg/L, H2: 0.5 mg/L, H3: 0.9 mg/L) for 30 days followed by acute low-temperature stress (11 ± 0.5 °C) for 48 h
- H₂ concentration
- 0.3 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, 0.9 mg/L
- Duration
- 32 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 0 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Low-dose hydrogen-rich water improved growth and helped juvenile largemouth bass tolerate acute cold stress by reducing tissue damage and strengthening antioxidant defenses.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water at 0.3 mg/L concentration improved growth and reduced cold-stress damage in juvenile largemouth bass by boosting their natural antioxidant defenses and beneficial gut bacteria.
Summary
Researchers tested whether water containing dissolved hydrogen gas could help young largemouth bass survive sudden cold stress. Fish were raised in regular water or water with different amounts of hydrogen for 30 days, then exposed to cold temperatures for 2 days. The group receiving the lowest hydrogen concentration (0.3 mg/L) showed better growth, less damage to their liver and intestines, stronger antioxidant defenses (natural protective systems in cells), and more beneficial bacteria in their digestive systems compared to control fish.
Practical Takeaway
This is a fish study, not human research, so it cannot directly inform hydrogen water use in people. The results suggest hydrogen may help aquatic animals cope with temperature stress, but whether similar benefits would apply to humans or other species remains unknown. Early evidence indicates hydrogen's potential mechanism involves strengthening cellular antioxidant systems, though much more research would be needed to establish safety and effectiveness in humans.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is an aqueous solution containing dissolved molecular hydrogen. This study evaluated its effects on juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) under acute low-temperature stress. A total of 480 juveniles (2.4 ± 0.5 g) were randomly assigned to four groups…