Body's Hidden Microbes May Produce Healing Hydrogen Gas
Non-gut microbiota as a source of bioactive hydrogen
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Immune System
- Evidence type
- Review or commentary
- Authors
- Sergej M. Ostojic
- Journal
- Postgraduate Medical Journal
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 27965418
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 9 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Serbia
TL;DR
Scientists found that tiny bacteria living in places other than your stomach can make a helpful chemical called hydrogen that fights inflammation and damage in your body, which could open up new ways to treat diseases.
Summary
Researchers investigated whether microbes living outside the digestive tract can produce therapeutic hydrogen gas. While most hydrogen therapy research focuses on gut bacteria, this study examines microbes in other body locations as potential hydrogen sources. The findings suggest these non-gut microbes might contribute to health benefits through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. This discovery could expand our understanding of how the body naturally produces hydrogen and opens new possibilities for therapeutic applications. However, more research is needed to determine the clinical significance and practical applications of hydrogen production by microbes in non-gastrointestinal sites.
Practical Takeaway
This study explores whether bacteria in parts of the body outside the gut might produce hydrogen gas that could have health benefits. However, without details about the study design, sample size, or actual results, it's impossible to assess how reliable or relevant these findings are to hydrogen water consumers.