Hydrogen Water Health Benefits: What Science Says About This Trendy Drink
- Authors
- Gagandeep Dhillon, Venkata Buddhavarapu, Harpreet Grewal, Pranjal Sharma, Ram Kishun Verma, Ripudaman Munjal, Ramprakash Devadoss, Rahul Kashyap
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijms25020973
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- United States
- Health Condition
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Scientists reviewed studies on "hydrogen water" and found some promising signs that it might help with things like exercise, heart health, and fighting inflammation in your body—but there's not enough solid proof yet to say it actually works, so we need way more research before anyone should start drinking it as medicine.
Key Finding
A systematic review of 25 studies suggests hydrogen-rich water may have therapeutic potential through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, but current evidence remains preliminary and larger, more rigorous clinical trials are needed before any health claims can be supported.
Summary
Researchers reviewed 25 published studies on hydrogen-rich water to see if it actually has health benefits. The studies looked at whether hydrogen water might help with exercise performance, heart health, liver function, mental health, and aging. While some early results looked promising, the reviewers concluded that the research is still too limited and small-scale to prove hydrogen water works, and scientists still don't fully understand how it might help the body.
Practical Takeaway
While early research is encouraging, this review shows that evidence for hydrogen water's health benefits is still in very early stages. Most studies reviewed were likely small or conducted in laboratory settings rather than with large groups of people. Anyone considering hydrogen water should know that it has not yet been proven effective for any specific health condition, and more rigorous research is necessary before it can be recommended as a medical treatment.
Abstract
Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has emerged as a novel approach in the field of health and wellness. It is believed to have therapeutic antioxidant properties that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the human body. It has also been shown to be beneficial in mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage through its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways. We aim to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water. The review protocol was uploaded on PROSPERO. After the initial search criteria, the articles were reviewed by two blinded investigators, and a total of 25 articles were included in the systematic review. The potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water on various aspects of health, including exercise capacity, physical endurance, liver function, cardiovascular disease, mental health, COVID-19, oxidative stress, and anti-aging research, are a subject of growing interest and ongoing research. Although preliminary results in clinical trials and studies are encouraging, further research with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies is needed to substantiate these findings. Current research needs to fully explain the mechanisms behind the potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water. Continued scientific exploration will provide valuable insights into the potential of hydrogen-rich water as an adjunctive therapeutic approach in the future.