Hydrogen Water Doesn't Help COVID-19 Patients Recover Faster
- Authors
- Yoann Gaboreau, Aleksandra Milovancev, Carole Rolland, Claire Eychenne, Jean-Pierre Alcaraz, Cordelia Ihl, Roseline Mazet, Francois Boucher, Celine Vermorel, Sergej M. Ostojic, Borel Jean-Christian, Philippe Cinquin, Jean-Luc Bosson
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3390/jcm13154308
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- France
- Health Condition
- COVID-19
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water did not help patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 get better.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water taken twice daily for 21 days did not prevent clinical worsening in outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 compared to placebo.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich water could help prevent COVID-19 from getting worse in people with mild-to-moderate cases. Over 675 patients took either hydrogen-rich water or a placebo (inactive substance) twice daily for 21 days starting within 5 days of symptom onset. The study found that hydrogen-rich water was no better than placebo at preventing clinical worsening, with similar rates of side effects in both groups.
Practical Takeaway
This large, well-designed human trial found no clinical benefit of hydrogen-rich water for COVID-19 progression, despite hydrogen's known antioxidant properties in laboratory settings. While the study was rigorous, it specifically tested mild-to-moderate cases in outpatient settings, so results may not apply to severe COVID-19 or other conditions. Current evidence does not support hydrogen-rich water as a treatment for COVID-19.
Abstract
Background. Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and anti-fatigue properties, molecular hydrogen (H2) is potentially a novel therapeutic nutrient for patients with coronavirus acute disease 2019 (COVID-19). We determined the efficacy and safety profile of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) to reduce the risk of COVID-19 progression. Methods: We also conducted a phase 3, triple-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate treatment with HRW initiated within 5 days after the onset of signs or symptoms in primary care patients with mild-to-moderate, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Participants were randomised to receive HRW or placebo twice daily for 21 days. The incidence of clinical worsening and adverse events were the primary endpoints. Results: A total of 675 participants were followed up to day 30. HRW was not superior to placebo in preventing clinical worsening at day 14: in H2 group, 46.1% in the H2 group, 43.5% in the placebo group, hazard ratio 1.09, 90% confidence interval [0.90-1.31]. One death was reported at day 30 in the H2 group and two in the placebo group at day 30. Adverse events were reported in 91 (27%) and 89 (26.2%) participants, respectively. Conclusions: HRW taken twice daily from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms for 21 days did not reduce clinical worsening.