Hydrogen Water Protects Brain from Stroke Damage in Rats
Hydrogen-rich water protects against ischemic brain injury in rats by regulating calcium buffering proteins
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 (rat)
- Authors
- Li Han, Runfa Tian, Huanhuan Yan, Lei Pei, Zonggang Hou, Shuyu Hao, Yang V. Li, Qing Tian, Baiyun Liu, Qi Zhang
- Journal
- Brain Research
- Year
- 2015
- PMID
- 25920370
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 6 ml/kg per rat before and after MCAO
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 32 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) helps protect the brain from damage caused by a stroke and reduces the death of brain cells caused by harmful substances.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced brain damage and improved neurological function in rats with stroke-like injuries, apparently by preserving calcium-regulating proteins and reducing glutamate toxicity.
Summary
Researchers gave hydrogen-rich water to rats that had experienced a stroke (caused by blocking blood flow to the brain) and compared them to rats given regular water. Hydrogen-rich water reduced brain damage and improved neurological function. The protective effect appeared to work by maintaining levels of two proteins that help control calcium inside brain cells, which prevents excessive cell death from a toxic chemical called glutamate.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich water may protect brain tissue during stroke. However, results in rats do not automatically translate to humans, and no human trials have tested this approach. More research, including human studies, would be needed before drawing conclusions about potential benefits for stroke prevention or treatment in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has anti-oxidant activities, and it exerts neuroprotective effects during ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. Parvalbumin and hippocalcin are two calcium buffering proteins, which are involved in neuronal differentiation, maturation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was…