5 Reasons Why Hydrogen Water is the Wellness Trend You Need to Try

Do you want to stay young? Who wouldn’t, right? What if a glass of water could grant you that wish? Sound unbelievable? While your regular water can’t do wonders, hydrogen water can! Yes, it is a trending wellness product among health-conscious individuals. 

But what is this hydrogen water, and what makes it unique? And can you include it in your daily routine? Let’s delve into the science behind it and understand what the hype is all about.

Let's decode Hydrogen Water!

Hydrogen water is simply regular water that has been enriched with molecular hydrogen (H₂), a gas believed to offer various health benefits. Unlike standard water, where hydrogen and oxygen are bounded as H₂O, hydrogen water contains an extra free hydrogen molecule, which may play a role in supporting different physiological processes.

But how does hydrogen water impact overall well-being? Let's explore five key health benefits of this miracle water. 

Hydrogen Water- Five Key Benefits

1. Healthy Aging

The world is not getting any younger. According to estimates, by 2050, around 21% of the global population will be aged 60 years or older. Thus, the need to stay healthy and young seems to be the need of the hour. 

Hydrogen water, with its potential ability to reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, can be a definite game changer.

A randomized controlled trial conducted on 40 older adults highlighted the encouraging results of hydrogen water on the quantitative assessment of aging biomarkers. The study emphasised on the potential ability of hydrogen water to act at the genetic level by increasing the telomere length, thereby enhancing the chromosomal stability. Moreover, a decrease in oxidative stress biomarkers such as serum malondialdehyde also favoured the proposed hypothesis. 

Besides, consistently consuming HRW for six months led to:

• Increase in brain choline and NAA levels in the left frontal grey matter

• Brain creatinine in the right parietal white matter

• Brain NAA in the right parietal mesial grey matter

Despite the supportive results, large trials are still needed to validate these findings and to build trust among consumers. 

2. Skin Health and Hydration

Celebrity-approved, hydrogen-rich water isn’t just good for your inner health, it’s a holy grail for your skin. Let us see how. Hydrogen water acts in a dose-dependent fashion. Therefore, topical application as a part of skin care routine often requires low concentration of hydrogen. The studies in this area are limited. As per a preliminary human evidence, hydrogen water may visibly reduce wrinkles after 90 days of bathing. Wondering how? It is because of the probable ability of hydrogen to:

• Supports collagen synthesis

• Protects against UV damage by modifying gene expression

• Reducing the formation of advanced glycation end product crosslinks (AGEs)

• Reducing oxidative stress and maintaining the calcium signaling pathway

There are some other evidences that support the role of hydrogen water in faster healing of acne marks, cleaning of blackheads and whiteheads. Bathing in hydrogen water has also demonstrated promising results in managing psoriasis. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

3. Manage Mood, Anxiety and Sleep

There is hardly a person who does not complain of mood swings or anxiety. Not only it affect personal relations but is a big road block for professional growth as well. Thus, having a supplement that could manage this issue can be considered pathbreaking. But, does hydrogen water really hold this ability? Let’s understand!

Research in this area seems to be scarce yet promising. Some rodent studies have shown supportive evidence of the positive impact of hydrogen water on depressive behavior. 

A single human study with 26 participants shed light on the hopeful impact of hydrogen water administration on the mood and anxiety of the participants. The overall results favored the role of HRW in improving the quality of life of participants. 

Another parameter of healthy living that is seriously affected by mood and anxiety is sleep. There is no health without sound sleep. Hydrogen water may also aid in managing this very issue. Although relatively a new theory, hydrogen water’s potential in maintaining redox and regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines can help sleep apnea patients. 

However, while animal studies have shown promising results, human studies remain limited. Further research is needed to understand how hydrogen water affects brain health and mood regulation.

4. Muscle Recovery and Physical Performance

Hydrogen water has already gained a top position among athletes owing to its potential ability to support post-exercise recovery. There is ample evidence that favours hydrogen water’s ability in: 

• Reducing the healing time of soft-tissue injury

• Managing inflammation

• Lowering lactic acid buildup, thus managing the post-exercise soreness.

• Aid in increasing capacity and stamina

• Regulating redox by eliminating the exercise-induced oxidative stress.

While most of the users claim to enjoy the benefits of hydrogen water,  more studies are required to assess its role in managing muscle tears and recovery from concussions.

5. Supports Liver Health

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing concern among the American and Canadian populations.  The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying the body, and given the staggering stats of the individual getting affected by NAFLD, an attempt to find an effective solution seems reasonable. 

The research around the role of hydrogen water in NAFLD patients is limited. However, the results of the first human trial have been promising. The study reported a statistically significant reduction of liver fat, which was attributed to the potential effects of hydrogen water based on the proposed hormesis model. The research still needs validation by including a larger patient population.

Hydrogen water may contribute to the body's natural detoxification processes, but it should not be seen as a replacement for other healthy lifestyle choices.

Is Hydrogen Water Safe?

Hydrogen water has a good safety profile with no reported contraindications related to medications or health conditions. Patients have mentioned some rare and mild side effects, such as temporary digestive changes or mild headaches, which typically resolve on their own.

However, consumers should be careful of product quality:

• Some products may contain additives like magnesium or aluminum, which may not always be necessary or beneficial.

• Hydrogen gas escapes quickly, so drinking it immediately after opening or preparing is recommended.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA. The information contained within this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.