Hydrogen Water Kills Harmful Mouth Bacteria in Lab Study

Authors
Journal
Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics
Year
DOI
10.5582/ddt.2011.v5.6.306
Study Type
Cell Culture
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Japan
Health Condition
Periodontal Disease
Body System
Oral

TL;DR

A special type of water called electrolyzed ion-reduced water, with or without an added substance, can kill more than 99% of two common gum disease-causing bacteria in just 15 seconds.

Key Finding

Electrolyzed ion-reduced water killed over 99% of major gum disease-causing bacteria within 15 seconds in laboratory tests.

Summary

Researchers tested a special type of water created through electrolysis (a process using electrical current) against two bacteria that cause gum disease. The water killed more than 99% of both bacterial types within 15 seconds, and the effect was stronger at higher concentrations. The study was conducted in laboratory dishes rather than in people or animals.

Practical Takeaway

While this laboratory study suggests electrolyzed water may have antimicrobial properties against gum disease bacteria, it was only tested in a dish, not in human mouths or clinical settings. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before drawing any conclusions about its effectiveness for preventing or treating periodontal disease.

Abstract (excerpt)

As typical periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) were exposed to electrolyzed ion-reduced water (ERI) and ERI containing 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) (ERI-1% CMC-Na), and the time course…

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