Hydrogen Water Reduces Anxiety and Stress in Daily Life Study
- Authors
- Yasuyoshi Watanabe, Kei Mizuno, AkihiroT Sasaki, Kyoko Ebisu, Kanako Tajima, Osami Kajimoto, Junzo Nojima, Hirohiko Kuratsune, Hiroshi Hori
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.4103/2045-9912.222448
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Anxiety
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water might improve quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety levels and enhancing brain function.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced anxiety scores and resting sympathetic nerve activity (a marker of stress response) more than placebo in healthy adults over 4 weeks.
Summary
This study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water (water infused with hydrogen gas) could improve mood, anxiety, and nervous system function in healthy adults. Over 4 weeks, 26 volunteers drank either 600 mL of hydrogen-rich water or regular water daily. Those who drank hydrogen-rich water showed lower anxiety scores and reduced stress-related nerve activity compared to the placebo group, suggesting the treatment may help the body handle daily stress better.
Practical Takeaway
This small, short-term study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help with stress and anxiety in healthy people, but the findings are preliminary. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed before drawing firm conclusions about real-world benefits. If you're considering trying hydrogen water, discuss it with a healthcare provider, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions.
Abstract
Health and a vibrant life are sought by everyone. To improve quality of life (QOL), maintain a healthy state, and prevent various diseases, evaluations of the effects of potentially QOL-increasing factors are important. Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation cause deteriorations in central nervous system function, leading to low QOL. In healthy individuals, aging, job stress, and cognitive load over several hours also induce increases in oxidative stress, suggesting that preventing the accumulation of oxidative stress caused by daily stress and daily work contributes to maintaining QOL and ameliorating the effects of aging. Hydrogen has anti-oxidant activity and can prevent inflammation, and may thus contribute to improve QOL. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the QOL of adult volunteers using psychophysiological tests, including questionnaires and tests of autonomic nerve function and cognitive function. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with a two-way crossover design, 26 volunteers (13 females, 13 males; mean age, 34.4 ± 9.9 years) were randomized to either a group administered oral HRW (600 mL/d) or placebo water (PLW, 600 mL/d) for 4 weeks. Change ratios (post-treatment/pre-treatment) for K6 score and sympathetic nerve activity during the resting state were significantly lower after HRW administration than after PLW administration. These results suggest that HRW may reinforce QOL through effects that increase central nervous system functions involving mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function.