Hydrogen Water Helps Diabetic Mice Lose Weight and Control Blood Sugar
- Authors
- Naomi Kamimura, Kiyomi Nishimaki, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Shigeo Ohta
- Journal
- Obesity
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.1038/oby.2011.6
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking water with dissolved hydrogen gas can help reduce obesity and diabetes symptoms in mice by reducing oxidative stress and stimulating energy metabolism.
Key Finding
Drinking hydrogen-enriched water significantly reduced body weight, liver fat, blood glucose, and insulin levels in obese diabetic mice, with effects comparable to calorie restriction.
Summary
Researchers gave obese diabetic mice water containing dissolved hydrogen gas and found it reduced liver fat, lowered blood sugar and insulin levels, and helped control weight gain. The hydrogen appeared to work by activating a hormone called FGF21 that helps the body burn more fat and glucose for energy. The effects were similar to what happens when animals eat less food.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen water may influence metabolism and fat accumulation, but it was conducted only in mice with a specific genetic form of obesity and diabetes. Human studies would be needed to determine if these effects apply to people with typical obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Abstract (excerpt)
Recent extensive studies have revealed that molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) has great potential for improving oxidative stress‐related diseases by inhaling H 2 gas, injecting saline with dissolved H 2 , or drinking water with dissolved H 2 (H 2 ‐water); however, little is known about the dynamic movement…