Hydrogen Water Protects Liver During Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Protective effect of hydrogen‑rich water on liver function of colorectal cancer patients treated with mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy
Research hubs: Digestive System
- Evidence type
- Randomized controlled trial · Human study
- Authors
- Qingxi Yang, Guangdong Ji, Rongtao Pan, Yinghui Zhao, Peng Yan
- Journal
- Molecular and Clinical Oncology
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 29142752
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 136
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 34 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help protect the liver from damage in patients undergoing a specific type of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
Key Finding
Colorectal cancer patients who drank hydrogen-rich water during mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy showed no significant increase in liver enzyme levels, while those who received placebo showed significantly elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin.
Summary
This study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water could protect the liver from damage caused by a common chemotherapy drug (mFOLFOX6) used to treat colorectal cancer. Researchers gave 76 colorectal cancer patients hydrogen-rich water and 60 patients a placebo (inactive liquid) during their chemotherapy treatment. They measured liver damage by checking blood levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and bilirubin (a substance the liver processes). Patients who drank hydrogen-rich water showed no significant increase in these liver damage markers, while the placebo group showed significant increases, suggesting the hydrogen-rich water may have protected their livers.
Practical Takeaway
This human trial suggests hydrogen-rich water may help reduce chemotherapy-related liver damage in colorectal cancer patients, though the study had some limitations (relatively small sample size, single-blind design). Anyone undergoing chemotherapy should discuss any supplemental interventions with their oncologist before use, as this single study is not sufficient to establish hydrogen-rich water as a standard protective measure.
Abstract (excerpt)
The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water on the liver function of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients treated with mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy. A controlled, randomized, single-blind clinical trial was designed. A total of 152 patients with CRC were…