Hydrogen Water Shows Promise Against Colorectal Cancer in Mice
Hydrogen-rich water exerts anti-tumor effects comparable to 5-fluorouracil in a colorectal cancer xenograft model
Research hubs: Digestive System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Fereshteh Asgharzadeh, Alex Tarnava, Asma Mostafapour, Majid Khazaei, Tyler W. LeBaron
- Journal
- World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Year
- 2022
- PMID
- 35116114
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Participants
- 24
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- H2-generating tablet dissolved in drinking water with 200 μL delivered by oral gavage
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 26 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Iran
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) alone or combined with the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) may be a promising new treatment for colorectal cancer in mice.
Key Finding
In mice with colorectal cancer, hydrogen-rich water reduced tumor size and weight comparably to the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil, and combining both treatments produced stronger tumor reduction.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich water (water with dissolved hydrogen gas) as a potential treatment for colorectal cancer in mice. They compared it to 5-fluorouracil, a standard chemotherapy drug, and tested both separately and combined. Hydrogen-rich water alone reduced tumors similarly to the chemotherapy drug, and when combined together, they worked even better at shrinking tumors. The hydrogen-rich water also reduced cellular damage (oxidative stress) that the chemotherapy typically causes.
Practical Takeaway
While these early results in mice are interesting, this is a preliminary animal study and does not yet demonstrate that hydrogen-rich water would work the same way in humans with cancer. No human trials have been conducted. Anyone with colorectal cancer should discuss evidence-based treatment options with their oncologist rather than relying on hydrogen-rich water as a primary therapy.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Tumor removal remains the preferred frontline treatment; however, effective non-surgical interventions remain a high priority. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapy agent…