Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Diabetes-Related Damage in Study
- Authors
- Masanori Katakura, Michio Hashimoto, Yoko Tanabe, Osamu Shido
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1186/2045-9912-2-18
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help reduce kidney damage caused by high blood sugar and harmful compounds in rats with conditions similar to human diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced reactive oxygen species production by 34% in the kidneys of rats with metabolic syndrome and decreased harmful glucose-related compounds by 60-81%.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could reduce harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in kidney tissue. Researchers used rats with metabolic syndrome (a condition involving obesity and blood sugar problems) and gave some of them hydrogen-rich water for 16 weeks. They found that hydrogen-rich water decreased ROS production by 34% and significantly reduced other harmful compounds in the kidneys.
Practical Takeaway
While this animal study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help protect kidneys from oxidative damage related to metabolic syndrome, these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Further research in human subjects would be needed to determine whether hydrogen-rich water offers similar benefits for people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Abstract (excerpt)
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by α,β-dicarbonyl compounds and advanced glycation end products causes renal dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) increases the H2 level in blood and tissues, thus reducing oxidative stress…