Hydrogen Water Beats Diabetes Drug in Animal Study
- Authors
- Qi-Jin Wang, Xiao-Juan Zha, Zhi-Min Kang, Mao-Jin Xu, Qin Huang, Da-Jin Zou
- Journal
- Chinese Medical Journal
- Year
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.2012.09.020
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-enriched saltwater improved blood sugar control and reduced oxidative stress better than a common diabetes drug in diabetic and insulin-resistant rats.
Key Finding
In diabetic and insulin-resistant rats, hydrogen-saturated saline improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood glucose and lipid levels more effectively than pioglitazone, while also reducing oxidative stress markers.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with diabetes or insulin resistance (a condition where the body doesn't respond well to insulin) daily doses of hydrogen-saturated saline for eight weeks. The treatment improved blood sugar control, reduced blood fats, and decreased markers of cellular damage caused by oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions in cells). The hydrogen treatment appeared to work better than pioglitazone, a standard diabetes medication.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-saturated saline may help with insulin resistance and diabetes by reducing cellular damage, but these are early findings in animals only. Human studies would be needed to determine if these effects apply to people with diabetes or prediabetes.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Molecular hydrogen, as a novel antioxidant, has been proven effective in treating many diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hydrogen saturated saline in treatment of a rat model of diabetes mellitus and a rat model of insulin resistant. Methods: A rat…