Hydrogen-Rich Water Linked to Lower Gum Damage in Obese Rats
Preventive Effects of Drinking Hydrogen-Rich Water on Gingival Oxidative Stress and Alveolar Bone Resorption in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Toshiki Yoneda, Takaaki Tomofuji, Muneyoshi Kunitomo, Daisuke Ekuni, Koichiro Irie, Tetsuji Azuma, Tatsuya Machida, Hisataka Miyai, Kouhei Fujimori, Manabu Morita
- Journal
- Nutrients
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28098768
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 18
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- hydrogen-rich water
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 40 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help reduce gum damage and tooth-supporting bone loss in obese rats.
Key Finding
In obese rats fed a high-fat diet, drinking hydrogen-rich water reduced gum cell damage, slowed bone loss in the jaw, and limited weight gain compared to rats drinking regular water.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could protect the gums and jaw bone in rats fed a high-fat diet. Researchers compared three groups of rats: one eating a normal diet, and two eating a high-fat diet—one drinking regular water and one drinking hydrogen-rich water. The rats drinking hydrogen-rich water gained less weight, had lower markers of cell damage in their gums, and experienced less bone loss in their jaw compared to the high-fat diet group drinking regular water.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich water may help protect gums and jaw bone in obesity-related conditions. However, these results are from rats only, and the study does not tell us whether the same effects would occur in humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any health recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Obesity induces gingival oxidative stress, which is involved in the progression of alveolar bone resorption. The antioxidant effect of hydrogen-rich water may attenuate gingival oxidative stress and prevent alveolar bone resorption in cases of obesity. We examined whether hydrogen-rich water could…