Hydrogen Water Improves Brain Function After Stroke in Mice
Hydrogen-Rich Water Improves Cognitive Ability and Induces Antioxidative, Antiapoptotic, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in an Acute Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Mouse Model
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Dain Lee, Jong-Il Choi
- Journal
- BioMed Research International
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 34746315
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- hydrogen-rich water orally during the test period
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 23 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- South Korea
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water improved brain health and reduced brain cell death in mice that had a stroke-like condition.
Key Finding
In mice with simulated stroke injury, hydrogen-rich water improved cognitive function and reduced brain cell death while decreasing inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.
Summary
Researchers gave mice with brain injury from blocked blood flow hydrogen-rich water to drink and compared them to untreated mice. The hydrogen-treated mice showed better memory and learning, less brain cell death, and reduced inflammation markers in their brains. The study suggests hydrogen water may protect brain cells from damage caused by stroke-like injuries.
Practical Takeaway
While this mouse study shows promising effects of hydrogen water on brain protection after ischemic injury, it is animal research only and does not demonstrate whether these benefits would occur in humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen water could be considered a treatment for stroke or cognitive decline.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Cerebral ischemia and its reperfusion injury facilitate serious neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia due to cell death; however, there is currently no treatment for it. Reactive oxygen species is one of the many factors that induce and worsen the development of such diseases…