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Hydrogen Water: What is the hype?

ByMHI

Hydrogen water is gaining popularity as shown in these articles: Healthline, Fox29, Today, FoxNews, Good Housekeeping, NYTimes, and Elle.

What You’ll Learn

  • What hydrogen water is
  • How it’s made
  • Potential benefits
  • Current research
  • Common misconceptions
  • How to choose a quality product

What is hydrogen water?

Hydrogen water is water that has been infused or enriched with molecular hydrogen (H2). More simply, it is hydrogen gas (H2) dissolved into water (H2O). It is also sometimes called hydrogen-rich water, HRW, or hydrogen-enriched water.  Unlike the hydrogen atoms already present in water molecules, the dissolved H2 gas remains available to be absorbed after drinking and is the component being studied for its potential biological effects. Be aware that H2 begins escaping from the water once dissolved to work its way back to equilibrium. 

Read: Concentration and Solubility of H2

Read: The Complete Guide to Molecular Hydrogen Therapy

What is H2 gas?

There are many different forms/species of hydrogen, namely: hydrogen atoms, hydrogen gas, hydrogen ions (anion and cation), and hydrogen in other compounds/molecules. Each of these forms of hydrogen has different chemical properties. The form of hydrogen that is being studied for its potential positive biological effects is hydrogen gas (H2), which is two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded together in a stable structure. Further, of note, molecular hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas.

How Hydrogen Water Is Made

Hydrogen water is created by dissolving molecular hydrogen gas (H2) into regular water (H2O). Because molecular hydrogen is the smallest and lightest molecule known, it readily diffuses out of water. As a result, the method used to produce, package, and store hydrogen-rich water can significantly affect its hydrogen concentration and stability.

Several methods are commonly used to produce hydrogen water, including electrolysis, magnesium-based tablets, and hydrogen gas infusion.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis uses electricity to split water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The hydrogen gas is then dissolved into the water. Many home hydrogen water generators and water ionizers use this process.

It is important to note that devices designed to produce hydrogen-rich water are generally not appropriate for hydrogen gas inhalation. If an electrolysis device generates hydrogen at concentrations sufficient for inhalation without proper dilution, ventilation, and engineering controls, the hydrogen concentration could enter the flammable range. Hydrogen inhalation systems require additional safety features that are not typically found in water-generating devices.

Read more: Water Ionizers and Hydrogen Water Generators • Flammability Risks of Hydrogen Inhalation • Common Safety Myths About Hydrogen Devices

Magnesium-Based Tablets

Some products generate hydrogen by reacting elemental magnesium with water. This chemical reaction releases molecular hydrogen gas, which dissolves into the water. High-quality tablets can produce substantial amounts of dissolved hydrogen when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Hydrogen Gas Infusion

Commercial bottled hydrogen water is often produced by infusing purified water with molecular hydrogen gas under pressure. This allows greater amounts of hydrogen to dissolve into the water while reducing hydrogen loss during packaging.

Because molecular hydrogen is extremely small, it can gradually diffuse through many packaging materials over time. For this reason, hydrogen water is commonly packaged in aluminum cans, specialized pouches, or other materials with low hydrogen permeability. Glass provides an excellent barrier to hydrogen diffusion but is less commonly used because it is heavier, more fragile, and more expensive to transport.

Regardless of how hydrogen water is produced, the amount of dissolved molecular hydrogen, its stability over time, and the total dose consumed are generally more important than the production method itself.

Learn more:

Read more: Considerations for Choosing a Good Hydrogen Product

What are the benefits of hydrogen-rich water?

Molecular hydrogen’s primary target is in the mitochondria. More specifically it is the Rieske Iron-Sulfur Protein in the complex III of the mitochondria. Molecular hydrogen supports redox homeostasis. This means it helps balance and modulate the oxidative and reductive stress in the cells. While it has traditionally beensaid to have antioxidant effects, this alone didn’t explain all of the potential benefits. While molecular hydrogen does seem to react with the most harmful free radicals such as the hydroxyl radical (OH), it leaves the necessary free radicals for normal biological function. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can contribute to oxidative stress, which is linked to various health issues, including inflammation and aging. While some studies suggest that molecular hydrogen may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, more research is needed to fully understand its potential health benefits.

One of the common methods of administration for molecular hydrogen  is drinking the hydrogen water. After hydrogen-rich water is consumed, the dissolved molecular hydrogen (H2) is absorbed through the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream. Unlike oxygen, hydrogen does not bind to hemoglobin or other transport proteins, it simply dissolves in the blood and is rapidly carried throughout the body. 

Within about one minute of drinking hydrogen water, hydrogen can be detected in the breath, with concentrations typically peaking within 5–15 minutes, depending on the dose. This demonstrates that hydrogen readily crosses the intestinal barrier and enters systemic circulation. Unlike many drugs and dietary compounds that can be degraded or metabolized before reaching the bloodstream, molecular hydrogen is absorbed efficiently, allowing it to be distributed quickly throughout the body. Hydrogen water primarily benefits the gut, and doesn’t seem to ever directly reach the brain, but does indirectly seem to benefit the brain.

Read how to get molecular hydrogen

Read Hydrogen: An Emerging Medical Gas

Does HRW actually work?

More than 3,000 scientific publications have investigated molecular hydrogen, including hundreds of animal studies and a growing number of human clinical trials. Research has reported promising findings across a variety of health conditions, including metabolic health, exercise recovery, neurological function, and inflammation.

However, many studies remain preliminary, involve relatively small sample sizes, or require further replication. While the evidence is encouraging, additional high-quality clinical research is needed before firm conclusions can be made for many health applications.

Read: The Complete Guide to Molecular Hydrogen Therapy

Explore the research

Dispelling Misconceptions

Unfortunately, hydrogen water comes with its fair share of misconceptions. We strive to clarify these misunderstandings through our social media, website articles, and certification courses. 

Here are a few common myths:

These misconceptions can cloud the true science behind molecular hydrogen, making it challenging for people to grasp its benefits.

What is the science behind molecular hydrogen?

H2 is the smallest molecule in the universe. This gives it unique properties and makes it permeable through cell membranes making the pharmacokinetics very good. However, there is a lot about the mechanism of this molecule that we are still not 100% sure about. More scientific research is needed to determine how it works, the most effective way to apply it in various conditions, and it’s overall efficacy on specific disease models. However, we do know that hydrogen gas is safe to consume. We know that hydrogen exerts some therapeutic benefits, though, again, more research is still needed.

Read here: Is hydrogen safe? 

Read H2: An Emerging Medical Gas. 

Explore the H2 Research Database

Why the Surge in Popularity?

In the realms of health and wellness, hydrogen gas is gaining traction due to its remarkable antioxidant properties. While further research is needed, its benefits are becoming more apparent:

  • Antioxidant Power: Neutralizing free radicals linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging.
  • Athletic Performance: Some studies suggest improved exercise performance and muscle recovery.
  • Health Benefits: Ongoing research indicates potential cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroprotective benefits.

Read H2: An Emerging Medical Gas

Explore the H2 Research Database

Join the MHI Community

Take our educational courses

Key Takeaways

  • Hydrogen water is regular water containing dissolved molecular hydrogen gas (H2).
  • Current research suggests molecular hydrogen may influence oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular signaling.
  • Human studies are promising, but more research is needed before many clinical applications can be confirmed.
  • The quality of the product, the amount of dissolved hydrogen, and the dose consumed are more important than marketing claims.
  • MHI recommends evaluating hydrogen water based on scientific evidence rather than hype.

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