Hydrogen Inhalation Therapy Reduces Harmful Free Radicals in Blood
The impact of hydrogen inhalation therapy on blood reactive oxygen species levels: A randomized controlled study
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Cardiovascular System
- Evidence type
- Randomized controlled trial · Human study
- Authors
- Mohamed Chair, Hashem AlAani, Sevda Lafci Fahrioglu, Cherif Ben Hamda, Umut Fahrioglu, Tamer Degheidy
- Journal
- Free Radical Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2024
- PMID
- 38996821
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 37
- Delivery
- Gas
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 5 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas significantly lowered harmful oxygen-related molecules in the blood of people with high levels, suggesting it could help reduce oxidative stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen inhalation therapy significantly reduced blood reactive oxygen species levels in participants with elevated ROS, with reductions observed both immediately after treatment and 24 hours later.
Summary
This study tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could reduce harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the blood. Thirty-seven people with high ROS levels either received hydrogen inhalation therapy or no treatment. The group that received hydrogen showed lower ROS levels immediately after treatment and again 24 hours later, compared to the control group.
Practical Takeaway
This small human study suggests hydrogen inhalation may help reduce oxidative stress markers in the blood. However, the study size is limited and important details like exact sample sizes and treatment duration are not reported, so more research is needed to understand whether this translates to real health benefits.
Abstract (excerpt)
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) play a key role in physiological processes. However, the imbalance between ROS and antioxidants in favor of the former causes oxidative stress linked to numerous pathologies. Due to its unique attributes, including distinguished permeability and selective antioxidant…