Hydrogen Water Improves Blood pH in Active Men During Exercise
- Authors
- Sergej M. Ostojic, Marko D. Stojanovic
- Journal
- Research in Sports Medicine
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1080/15438627.2013.852092
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Serbia
- Health Condition
- Metabolic Acidosis
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) daily can safely increase blood alkalinity, both at rest and after exercise, in physically active men.
Key Finding
Drinking 2 liters of hydrogen-rich water daily for 14 days increased arterial blood pH by 0.04 at rest and 0.07 after exercise in physically active men, with higher bicarbonate levels (a buffer against acidity) and no adverse effects reported.
Summary
Researchers tested whether drinking 2 liters of hydrogen-rich water daily for 14 days would make the blood less acidic in physically active men. Fifty-two healthy male volunteers either drank hydrogen-rich water or regular tap water. The hydrogen-rich water group showed small but measurable increases in blood pH (a measure of acidity) both at rest and after exercise, with no reported side effects.
Practical Takeaway
This small study in young, healthy active men suggests hydrogen-rich water may help counteract exercise-induced blood acidosis and was well-tolerated. However, the pH changes were modest, the study only lasted 2 weeks, and results may not apply to women, older adults, or people with health conditions. More research is needed to determine if these changes have meaningful effects on exercise performance or recovery.
Abstract (excerpt)
Possible appliance of effective and safe alkalizing agent in the treatment of metabolic acidosis could be of particular interest to humans experiencing an increase in plasma acidity, such as exercise-induced acidosis. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the daily oral intake of 2L…