Hydrogen Water Improves Insulin Levels in Diabetic Rats
The improvement of insulin level after hydrogen-rich water therapy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Research hubs: Type 2 Diabetes · Metabolic Syndrome · Endocrine System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Ekowati Retnaningtyas, Budi Susatia, Siti Nur Arifah, Sri Rahayu Lestari
- Journal
- Veterinary World
- Year
- 2022
- PMID
- 35369585
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 30
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- Fresh hydrogen-rich water administered orally ad libitum for 14 days
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 6 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Indonesia
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water improved insulin levels and antioxidant activity in diabetic rats, similarly to the diabetes drug metformin.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water increased insulin levels and antioxidant activity in diabetic rats at levels comparable to the diabetes drug metformin.
Summary
Researchers gave hydrogen-rich water to rats with artificially induced diabetes to see if it could help control blood sugar. The rats that received hydrogen-rich water showed improved insulin levels (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar) and increased antioxidant activity (the body's natural defense against harmful molecules). The effects were similar to those seen with metformin, a common diabetes medication.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study, so results cannot yet be applied to humans. While the findings suggest hydrogen-rich water may have antioxidant properties that could theoretically benefit diabetes management, human clinical trials would be needed to determine if these effects translate to people and whether hydrogen water could be a useful diabetes treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background and aim: Water plays a pivotal role in the body. Alteration of the fluid balance promotes metabolic disorder, thus leading to the development of various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Hydrogen-rich water (HW) is recognized as a novel antioxidant. This study aimed…