Introduction
Water is a very unique solution. It is considered a universal solvent. Because we already drink water every day, it is a logical choice to dissolve hydrogen into water and reap the benefits. Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is one of the most common methods of administering and consuming hydrogen gas.
Even though we drink water every day, it is still unclear to many of us what water we should be drinking, how much we need to stay properly hydrated, and further, how to yield the highest advantages from hydrogen by properly consuming it in the right water. In this article, we will dispel many myths and misconceptions, as well as answer these questions for you.
Importance of Water and Hydration
Water (H2O) makes up approximately 55% to 75% of the human body by weight. The well-known importance of water lies in its necessity for life functions. It is considered a primary nutrient for human health, and its absence can be fatal within three days. Water plays a vital role in maintaining body temperature, absorbing nutrients, eliminating wastes, and various cellular processes, including enzyme catalysis. Optimal body hydration is crucial for cell function, influencing communication, signaling, metabolism, and gene expression. Approximately two-thirds of the body’s water is intracellular, highlighting the importance of proper hydration at the cellular level.
Optimal hydration is crucial for health. Dehydration is a major cause of hospitalization and mortality, especially in the elderly. Losing just 1%-2% of body weight in water significantly impairs performance. Water’s unique polar nature, from its bent molecular structure, influences essential properties like capillary action and a high boiling point.
Read more in Water: A Molecule of Life
Since water is so important, it makes sense that we would want to make sure we are drinking the very best water there is. Many scientific studies have taken place regarding the effectiveness of a variety of waters. Let’s talk about them.
What are the different kinds of water?
There are many different kinds of water. You can probably think of a few off the top of your head. In this article, we will discuss the following:
- Tap water
- Bottled water
- Filtered water
- Mineral water
- Distilled water
- Spring water
- Well Water
- Hydrogen water
- Alkaline water
- Electrolyzed-Reduced Water (ERW) / Ionized water
- Acidic water
- Flavored water
- Structured water*
- Microclustered water**
*Note 1: Structured water refers to water that purportedly has a more organized molecular arrangement compared to typical water. Proponents claim that structured water has unique properties and benefits, although the scientific community rejects claims using structured water because it has been refuted completely, therefore this kind of water doesn’t really exist.
**Note 2: Microclustering, in the context of water, refers to the concept that water molecules can be arranged in smaller, more stable clusters compared to conventional water. Proponents of microclustering claim that these smaller clusters allow water to be better absorbed by cells and tissues, potentially enhancing hydration and nutrient absorption. However, again, the scientific community rejects claims of microclustering because it has been extensively studied and refuted. Read Microclustering: The making of a myth part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.lecular hydrogen, making it challenging for people to grasp its benefits.
What kind of water should I avoid?
Any water that doesn’t meet safety standards should be avoided. Also avoid water that claims to be a magic cure-all and doesn’t have significant research backing it up. Some companies use creative marketing claims to sell their water, and it is important to remember the basics of water and it’s purpose. Additionally, what is in the water does matter and can make it healthier, or less healthy.
Here are some waters to avoid completely:
- Contaminated Tap Water
- Untreated Well Water
- Water from Unsafe Sources
Here are some waters to be cautious of:
- Water claiming to be “stuctured” or “microclustered” as it doesn’t really exist
- Alkaline water that does not have molecular hydrogen
- Products that claim to have hydrogen that do not
Read here about Purchasing Products
What kind of water should I be drinking?
The type of water you should drink depends on various factors including your health, preferences, and any specific concerns you may have. Some water can be very expensive, some water can have negative side effects, and some water can have health benefits.
In general, choose water that is clean from contaminants. Mineral water is great to increase the minerals in your body. Spring water also can contain many healthy minerals that are good for your body. Contrarily, distilled water will pull more minerals from your body because our kidneys can not produce distilled water, therefore, drinking distilled water can be problematic for your health long term. A small amount is fine.
Ultimately, weighing out the differences between environmental impacts, health considerations, cost, and/or taste/preference is an individual decision. As long as you are avoiding dangerous or impure water, you will be fine and can lead a healthy life.
If you are hoping to add potential health benefits to your water, consider adding hydrogen. It is very safe and while the exact dose and concentration for therapeutic benefits is still being discovered, research has indicated that H2 supports redox homeostasis. it has been shown to be a selective antioxidant (read here what that means), increase energy levels, and suppress cellular stress. Alkaline water does not have any health benefits if there is no molecular hydrogen. The health benefits that are correlated with some alkaline water are directly attributed to molecular hydrogen being present in the water.
Read here The Complete Guide to Molecular Hydrogen Therapy
Read also Hydrogen: An Emerging Medical Gas.
How much water should I be drinking?
While it is important not to be dehydrated, it is also very important to not be overhydrated. Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, occurs when there’s an imbalance of water and sodium levels in the body. This imbalance leads to a dilution of sodium in the blood which can be dangerous or even fatal. This can occur when someone drinks an excessive amount of water in a short period of time. Some health experts claim you should drink a gallon a day, and while this may be fine for some, it may be too much for others. How do you know how much to drink? In general, drinking when you are thirsty is a good rule of thumb. You can experiment with different amounts of water and find what works best for you.
Some factors to consider on what your water intake should be are body weight, climate, activity level, and health conditions. You can tell if you are properly hydrated if your urine is a light yellow color. Very clear urine could indicate you are drinking too much water, and dark yellow or amber-colored urine may indicate dehydration.
Why ERW Hydrogen Content Is Inconsistent — and Why pH ≠ Benefit
Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) is often marketed based on its alkaline pH, but pH alone does not determine therapeutic value. pH reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in water, not the presence or amount of dissolved molecular hydrogen gas (H2), which is the form studied for biological effects. Alkalinity can exist with little to no molecular hydrogen, and hydrogen-rich water can exist at a neutral pH.
In ERW systems, molecular hydrogen production depends on multiple variables, including electrode material and quality, electrical current, water mineral content, flow rate, pressure, temperature, and system design. Because these factors vary widely between devices—and even between uses of the same device—the resulting hydrogen concentration can be highly inconsistent. Additionally, some electrode materials and electrolysis conditions can generate unwanted byproducts or introduce contaminants, making independent verification of hydrogen content essential.
For these reasons, alkaline pH should not be used as a proxy for hydrogen concentration or health benefit. Any observed benefits attributed to ERW in the research are best explained by the presence of dissolved molecular hydrogen—not alkalinity itself—and only when hydrogen is present at concentrations comparable to those used in clinical studies.
What kind of water should I be using with hydrogen?
Any water that you would normally be drinking will work fine to dissolve hydrogen. One thing to note, electrolysis of distilled water is very difficult, but adding only a small amount of ions (minerals) makes the process easily achieved. In most places, there are enough minerals in the water that the ionic strength or conductivity of the water is great enough for electrolysis to effectively occur without needing to add additional ions to the water.
Conclusion
It’s essential to discern between safe, beneficial waters and those that may pose risks or offer unsubstantiated claims. Avoiding contaminated sources and being cautious of deceptive marketing can guide us toward better choices. Ultimately, the type of water you should drink is a personal decision, balancing factors such as health considerations, taste preferences, and environmental impacts. Whether it’s the crispness of mineral water or the simplicity of filtered tap water, the key is to ensure it meets safety standards and provides the hydration your body needs.
