Hydrogen Water Protects Pancreas Cells from Type 1 Diabetes Damage
Suppressive effects of electrolyzed reduced water on alloxan-induced apoptosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus
Research hubs: Endocrine System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (cell culture)
- Authors
- Yupin Li, Takeki Hamasaki, Noboru Nakamichi, Taichi Kashiwagi, Takaaki Komatsu, Jun Ye, Kiichiro Teruya, Masumi Abe, Hanxu Yan, Tomoya Kinjo, Shigeru Kabayama, Munenori Kawamura, Sanetaka Shirahata
- Journal
- Cytotechnology
- Year
- 2011
- PMID
- 21063772
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- feeding with electrolyzed reduced water
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 46 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking electrolyzed reduced water may help prevent type 1 diabetes in mice by protecting their insulin-producing cells from damage.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed reduced water prevented damage to insulin-producing pancreatic cells and reduced blood glucose levels in mice with alloxan-induced type 1 diabetes.
Summary
This study tested electrolyzed reduced water—water treated to contain molecules that can neutralize harmful reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that damage cells)—in laboratory cells and mice with type 1 diabetes. Researchers found that the water protected insulin-producing cells from damage and death, and mice that drank it had lower blood sugar levels than untreated diabetic mice.
Practical Takeaway
While these early laboratory and animal results are promising, this study does not tell us whether electrolyzed reduced water would work in humans with type 1 diabetes. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine if these protective effects translate to real-world treatment. The study also did not report sample sizes or treatment duration, which limits confidence in the findings.
Abstract (excerpt)
Electrolyzed reduced water, which is capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species, is attracting recent attention because it has shown improved efficacy against several types of diseases including diabetes mellitus. Alloxan produces reactive oxygen species and causes type 1 diabetes mellitus…