Hydrogen Water Improves Exercise Endurance and Reduces Muscle Fatigue
Hydrogen-rich water improves endurance by reducing skeletal muscle oxidative stress and inflammatory responses
Research hubs: Musculoskeletal System · Cardiovascular System
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Eika Mizuno, Tatsuhiro Sato, Kosuke Okada, Ikuru Miura, Junichi Shoda, Makoto Saito, Yutaro Mori, Sechang Oh, Tomonori Isobe
- Journal
- Frontiers in Nutrition
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.3389/fnut.2026.1722091
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Physical Inactivity
- Body System
- Musculoskeletal
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich water improved exercise endurance and reduced muscle oxidative stress and inflammation in mice after at least four weeks of intake.
Key Finding
Mice consuming hydrogen-rich water for 4 or more weeks showed significantly improved exercise endurance and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscle compared to those drinking regular water.
Summary
Researchers gave mice either regular water or hydrogen-rich water for 1 to 6 weeks and tested how far they could run on a treadmill. Mice that drank hydrogen-rich water for at least 4 weeks ran significantly longer distances and showed less muscle fatigue. Their muscles also had lower levels of harmful molecules (called reactive oxygen species) and signs of inflammation and damage after exercise. Interestingly, the mice's natural antioxidant defenses (protective genes) weren't particularly active, suggesting the hydrogen itself may be directly neutralizing harmful molecules rather than triggering the body's normal defense systems.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help reduce exercise-related muscle stress and fatigue, but results from animal studies don't automatically apply to humans. Before considering hydrogen water as an exercise aid, larger human studies would be needed to confirm whether these benefits occur in people and to determine safe and effective doses.
Abstract (excerpt)
Introduction: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been reported to reduce oxidative stress, suppress exercise fatigue, and enhance recovery. However, the molecular mechanisms of its effects on exercise capacity, especially during the early stages of adaptation in physically inactive individuals, remain…