[SUMMARY OF] Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax? A Systematic Review (2024)
Dhillon, G., Buddhavarapu, V., Grewal, H., Sharma, P., Verma, R. K., Munjal, R., Devadoss, R., & Kashyap, R. (2024). Hydrogen Water: Extra Healthy or a Hoax?—A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(2), 973. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020973
Oxidative stress is known to be a common cause of lifestyle-related diseases, the aging process, and even cancer. Reactive oxygen species are generated internally as we breathe and consume oxygen. Hydrogen is effective against oxidative stress and is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy benefits. […] Studies have shown the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties that hydrogen can exert on the cell. Hydrogen-rich water has the potential to be used for the treatment of many diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. […] The antioxidant and biological effects of hydrogen-rich water are seen even after hydrogen is cleared from the body.
–– PHYSICAL EXERCISE Hydrogen-rich water can improve acidosis due to exercise, energy levels, and enhanced muscular performance in athletes; … Research has shown that drinking hydrogen-rich water before exercising can mitigate the effects of fatigue and build endurance.
–– CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH Hydrogen-rich water can help in the management of hyperlipidemia; …It may also have a role in the prevention of metabolic syndrome; …in unstable angina patients, the consumption of hydrogen-rich water with conventional medications was shown to relieve symptoms associated with that condition.
–– COVID 19 Molecular hydrogen therapies were also seen to be effective in remediating the dangerous consequences of COVID-19 infection. Hydrogen administration inhibited cytokine cascade and decreased inhalation resistance in patients with mild to moderate disease.
–– DIALYSIS In chronic dialysis patients, a study showed that electrolyzed hydrogen-rich water (EHW) intake can improve blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and renal function. The use of hemodialysis (HD) solutions with electrolyzed hydrogen-rich water decreased fatigue in patients on both HD and even on HD-free days.
–– CANCER Hydrogen-rich water did show anti-cancer properties in a study. … Hydrogen was noted to have potential in treatment, overall prognosis, quality of life, and tumor reduction.
–– MENTAL HEALTH A study showed that subjects who drank hydrogen-rich water for 4 weeks had improved mood, anxiety, and overall mood.
–– HEPATITIS B Subjects [with hepatitis B] were administered hydrogen-rich water (1200–1800 mL/day, twice daily), which improved liver function and reduced HBV DNA. It also decreased oxidative stress in chronic hepatitis B patients.
–– Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 25% of the population. Liver dysfunction can be caused by inflammation, oxidative stress, and aberrant cellular signalling. It has been shown that the administration of hydrogen-rich water can have beneficial effects for these patients. Decreased body mass index and weight (≈1 kg) were observed in the treatment group.
–– AGING [A] study was undertaken to assess the effects of hydrogen-rich water in men and women above the age of 70 and whether it affected aging. It was found that drinking hydrogen-rich water for 6 months was harmless and also had a favorable effect on many of the factors associated with aging, like pain, metabolic processes in the brain, strength in the lower extremities, etc. [35]. Another study showed the hydrogen has anti-aging effects through the (Nrf2) pathway on vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, it has the potential to increase longevity. This can even be seen after temporary exposure to hydrogen.