Special Water Speeds Up Wound Healing Better Than Common Antiseptics

TL;DR

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) helps wounds heal faster in mice by improving the body's antioxidant response and reducing inflammation better than traditional treatments like Betadine and alcohol.

Key Finding

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water reduced wound size more effectively than conventional treatments like Betadine and alcohol in hairless mice, with improvements linked to enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced inflammatory responses.

Summary

Researchers tested slightly acidic electrolyzed water (water treated with electricity to create specific chemical properties) on skin wounds in hairless mice. When applied three times daily for seven days, this treated water reduced wound size more effectively than standard treatments like Betadine or alcohol. The water appeared to work by boosting the body's natural antioxidant defenses (molecules that protect cells from damage) and reducing inflammatory chemicals in the blood.

Practical Takeaway

This is an early-stage animal study that suggests electrolyzed water may have wound-healing properties, but results from mice do not directly translate to humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before drawing conclusions about its effectiveness for wound care in people. The study does not involve hydrogen water specifically, but rather electrolyzed water with different chemical properties.

Abstract (excerpt)

Acidic electrolyzed water is an innovative sanitizer having a wide-spectrum of applications in food industry, and healthcare industry but little is known on its effect and mechanism in wound healing. The study was conducted to identify the effect and mechanism of slightly acidic electrolyzed water…

Read the full abstract via DOI