Hydrogen Water Shows Promise for Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
- Authors
- Di Hu, Shigeru Kabayama, Yasuyoshi Watanabe, Yilong Cui
- Journal
- Antioxidants
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3390/antiox13030313
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Body System
- Digestive System
TL;DR
Scientists found that drinking special water filled with tiny hydrogen molecules can help reduce swelling and damage in your body caused by inflammation and harmful chemicals, which could eventually help treat diseases like stomach problems, nerve pain, and stress-related disorders.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed hydrogen water appears to reduce both inflammatory markers and oxidative stress by interrupting the interaction between these two processes in various disease models.
Summary
This review examines electrolyzed hydrogen water (EHW)—water enriched with molecular hydrogen gas—and its potential effects on inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules). The authors describe how hydrogen may work by reducing inflammatory compounds and harmful free radicals (unstable molecules) across various disease models, including inflammatory bowel disease and nerve pain. However, the review primarily summarizes existing research rather than presenting new experimental results.
Practical Takeaway
While this review suggests hydrogen water may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, it is based primarily on animal and laboratory studies rather than human trials. The actual hydrogen dose, delivery method, and duration of use in these studies are not specified. More rigorous human studies would be needed before drawing conclusions about health benefits for consumers.
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen, the smallest and lightest molecule, serves as an intense reducing agent. Its distinct characteristics, including minimal size and neutral charge, enhance bioavailability and facilitate significant biological effects. Previously considered physiologically inert, hydrogen has gained recognition as a powerful therapeutic agent, known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Electrolyzed hydrogen water (EHW), enriched with molecular hydrogen, demonstrates remarkable antioxidative capabilities, indicating potential benefits for various diseases. Inflammation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) amplify inflammation, leading to secondary oxidative stress and creating a crosstalk between ROS and inflammatory responses. This crosstalk contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of chronic diseases. EHW interrupts this crosstalk, reducing inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress across various disease models, suggesting therapeutic potential. EHW is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects, extending to pain management, as evidenced in models like sciatic nerve ligation and inflammatory pain. In an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model, EHW effectively alleviates abdominal pain, mitigating 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, offering insights for clinical applications. Additionally, hydrogen selectively targets harmful radicals, and EHW intake helps balance stress-induced hormonal dysregulation, potentially easing disorders associated with chronic stress.