Hydrogen Water Improves Exercise Endurance and Reduces Muscle Fatigue
- 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
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
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 unclear. Methods: Male 8-week-old C57BL/6 J mice were provided with purified water or HRW for 1, 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Their exercise endurance was assessed using treadmill running distance, and their levels of markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage were analyzed in skeletal muscle at baseline and after exercise at each time point. Results: Mice that consumed HRW for ≥P4 weeks ran significantly longer distances, showed less muscle fatigue, and had lower levels of markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage. Notably, antioxidant gene expression was not high, despite the lower level of oxidative stress, suggesting the possibility that HRW directly scavenges or suppresses reactive oxygen species, independently of antioxidant pathways. Discussion: HRW consumption alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscle and improves exercise endurance. These findings suggest that the administration of HRW may represent a promising antioxidant strategy to support the initiation of and compliance with exercise programs by physically inactive individuals.