How Hydrogen Gas Acts as a Biological Signal in Living Organisms
Hydrogen gas and its role in cell signaling
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Cardiovascular System · Brain & Nervous System
- Authors
- Helen R. Wilson, David Veal, Matthew Whiteman, John T. Hancock
- Journal
- CAB Reviews
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.1079/PAVSNNR201712045
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Health Condition
- Reperfusion Injury
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas, which scientists used to think did nothing in living things, actually helps plants and animals stay healthy and fight off stress and injury. This matters because drinking hydrogen-rich water or breathing hydrogen gas might one day help treat diseases caused by damage in our cells!
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas, previously considered biologically inactive, appears to have measurable effects across a wide range of organisms, including roles in stress response and injury recovery.
Summary
This paper reviews how hydrogen gas interacts with living organisms, including animals and plants. It examines the idea that hydrogen — once believed to have no effect on biology — may actually play a role in signaling processes within cells. The review covers topics like plant growth and conditions such as reperfusion injury (damage that occurs when blood flow returns to tissue after being cut off).
Practical Takeaway
This is a review paper, not a clinical trial, so it does not provide direct evidence of benefits for humans drinking hydrogen water. It may help explain the biological mechanisms behind hydrogen research, but readers should look to controlled human studies for evidence of specific health effects.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen gas (H2) was once thought to be inert in biological systems but it has now become apparent that exposure of a wide range of organisms, including animals and plants, to H2 or hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has beneficial effects. It is involved in plant development, and alleviation of stress…