Hydrogen Water Helps Control Blood Sugar in Diabetic Rats
- Authors
- Mengna Zheng, Han Yu, Yong Xue, Tong Yang, Qiufen Tu, Kaiqing Xiong, Daihua Deng, Lei Lu, Nan Huang
- Journal
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11010-021-04145-x
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help improve blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and reduce damage to the liver, kidney, and spleen in rats with type 2 diabetes.
Key Finding
In diabetic rats, drinking hydrogen-rich water reduced blood glucose and cholesterol levels while decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers compared to regular water.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with type 2 diabetes either regular water or hydrogen-rich water (water with dissolved hydrogen gas) for 3 weeks. The rats drinking hydrogen-rich water showed improvements in blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and markers of cellular damage and inflammation. The hydrogen-rich water also appeared to protect the liver, kidneys, and spleen from damage caused by high blood sugar.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help with some aspects of type 2 diabetes management, but human studies are needed before drawing conclusions about its usefulness for people. The 3-week duration is relatively short, and results in animals don't always translate to humans.
Abstract (excerpt)
The hydrogen-rich water (HW) has been reported to possess a beneficial role in patients with diabetes. However, a systemic evaluation with an appropriate animal model is necessary to reveal its mechanisms and efficacy. Herein, the protective effects of drinking HW on lipid and glucose metabolism…