Hydrogen Water Reduces Lung Blood Pressure in Animal Study

Summary by Hydrogen Studies Editorial Team · Updated

Authors
Journal
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Year
DOI
10.1016/j.jtcvs.2015.05.052
Study Type
Rat
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Japan
Health Condition
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Body System
Cardiovascular

TL;DR

Drinking hydrogen-rich water reduced lung blood pressure and damage in rats with a condition similar to human high blood pressure in the lungs.

Key Finding

In rats with induced pulmonary arterial hypertension, hydrogen-saturated water significantly improved lung blood vessel function and reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative damage compared to control water.

Summary

Researchers gave rats a disease that damages blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension) and tested whether hydrogen-saturated water could help. Rats that drank hydrogen water showed significant improvement in their lung blood vessel function and had less inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) compared to rats that didn't receive hydrogen. The hydrogen appeared to work by reducing immune cell buildup and blocking certain inflammatory pathways.

Practical Takeaway

This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen water may help with pulmonary hypertension through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. However, results in rats do not automatically translate to humans, and no human trials have tested this approach. Anyone with pulmonary hypertension should consult their doctor before considering hydrogen water as a complementary approach.

Abstract (excerpt)

Objective: The pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen, which exerts both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, have been reported for various pathologic conditions. We therefore…

Read the full abstract via DOI