Hydrogen Water Protects Liver From Toxic Damage in Mice Study
Hepatoprotective effect of electrolyzed reduced water against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice
Research hubs: Digestive System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Chia-Fang Tsai, Yu-Wen Hsu, Wen-Kang Chen, Wen-Huei Chang, Cheng-Chieh Yen, Yung-Chyuan Ho, Fung-Jou Lu
- Journal
- Food and Chemical Toxicology
- Year
- 2009
- PMID
- 19477216
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 86 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Taiwan
TL;DR
Drinking electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) can help protect mice livers from damage caused by a harmful chemical.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed reduced water protected mouse livers from chemical damage and restored antioxidant enzyme activity to levels comparable to a standard liver-protective medication.
Summary
Researchers gave mice a toxic chemical (carbon tetrachloride) to damage their livers, then treated some mice with electrolyzed reduced water (water processed to contain extra hydrogen) or a known liver-protective drug. The electrolyzed water reduced liver damage, lowered markers of liver injury in the blood, and boosted the mice's natural antioxidant defenses (protective molecules that fight cellular damage) as effectively as the standard drug.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests electrolyzed reduced water may have liver-protective properties through antioxidant mechanisms, but human studies are needed before any health claims can be made. The findings are preliminary and limited to an animal model of acute liver injury.
Abstract (excerpt)
The study investigated the protective effect of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into control, CCl(4), CCl(4)+silymarin, and CCl(4)+ERW groups. CCl(4)-induced liver lesions include leukocytes…