Hydrogen Water Protects Mice from Deadly Radiation Exposure
Radio-protective effects of ultra-fine bubble hydrogen water and serum protein responses in whole-body radiation-exposed mice
Research hubs: Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Masaru Yamaguchi, Khin Thandar Htun, Youta Tatara, Yoshiaki Sato, Masato Hosoda, Suchart Kothan, Chikashi Kamimura, Osamu Inanami, Ikuo Kashiwakura
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2025
- PMID
- 39910205
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- ad libitum access to ultra-fine bubble hydrogen water
- Duration
- 30 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking water with ultra-fine hydrogen bubbles significantly increased the survival of mice exposed to harmful radiation.
Key Finding
Mice drinking ultra-fine bubble hydrogen water showed dramatically improved survival after whole-body X-ray exposure, with 100% survival at sub-lethal doses versus 37% in control mice, and 40% survival at lethal doses versus 0% in controls.
Summary
Researchers gave mice a special type of hydrogen water with ultra-fine bubbles and then exposed them to high doses of X-rays. Mice that drank this hydrogen water survived much better than control mice—100% survival at a sub-lethal radiation dose compared to 37% in untreated mice. The hydrogen water appeared to work by neutralizing harmful molecules called hydroxyl radicals that are created by radiation, and by boosting immune-related proteins in the blood.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen water may have radio-protective properties, but it was conducted only in mice under extreme radiation conditions not typical of human exposure. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn about hydrogen water's usefulness for radiation protection in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Many studies have demonstrated hydrogen's therapeutic and preventive effects on various diseases. Its selective antioxidant properties against hydroxyl radicals, which are responsible for the indirect effects of ionizing radiation, may make it worthy of attention as a new radio-protector. We…