We all know the healthiest drink is pure, clean water. Free of sugars, salt, and who knows what chemicals and additives, water hydrates us and feeds our bodies in more ways than one.

So what exactly is hydrogen water?

Molecular hydrogen (H2) — formed through the bonding of two hydrogen (H) atoms — is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas. It occurs naturally and is the third most abundant element on the Earth’s surface, most notably in water (H2O). To achieve hydrogen water, regular water must be broken down — split — into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O) via an electric current, or electrolysis. Alternatively, hydrogen generating tablets can be added to water, creating hydrogen infused water. As the trend of hydrogen water gains popularity, we also see ready-to-drink bottled hydrogen water.

Similar to carbonated water, which contains dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, hydrogenated water contains dissolved (H2) gas. No matter the method of creating hydrogen water, just like carbonating your own water at home, the most convenient and cost effective option for consuming hydrogen water is a hydrogen water generator.

The Benefits of Hydrogen Water

Now that we know what hydrogen water is, we can look into what it does for us.

Hydrogen water offers a vast array of benefits to enhance our health and well-being, with anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy effects, to name but a few. And because hydrogen is naturally occurring, hydrogen water is completely safe to consume.

Hydrogen that is bound to oxygen in regular H2O can’t be absorbed by the body easily. Unbound H2, with its uniquely small size and neutral charge, is available for therapeutic benefit and is able to penetrate just about every cell in the body, including the brain, potentially giving you more energy, neutralising free radicals, speeding muscle recovery, and slowing the ageing process.

Hydrogen gas has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on over 150 human diseases and the potential medical applications for H2 are myriad, with more and more research done since 2007, when its benefits were first realised.

Enhance Athletic Performance

Hydrogen has been shown to help ease muscle fatigue, boost energy, and reduce lactic acid build-up, giving it the potential to improve athletic performance and accelerate recovery.

Studies have also shown that hydrogen can help aid weight control by boosting the burning of fats and sugars for energy.

Prevent Oxidative Stress, Fight Free Radicals & Protect Against Illness and Disease

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defences in the body to counteract them.

Oxidative stress can come from from normal body processes and the sun, but our bodies also create free radicals in reaction to many things, including stress, pollution, smoking, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles. Uncontrolled, free radicals can cause a range of diseases and illnesses, including cancer, and can lead to accelerated ageing, all of which are symptoms of oxidative damage, thanks to the free radicals’ ability to damages cells, proteins, and DNA. Oxidative damage is an underlying factor in many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and autoimmune disease.

Hydrogen, as an antioxidant that is hundreds of times more effective than vitamin C, can help to reduce or reverse oxidative damage.

Reduce Inflammation

The antioxidant action of hydrogen water can protect against inflammation and inflammatory disorders and conditions. It can also aid against inflammation from exercise.

Inflammatory disorders result in the immune system attacking the body’s own cells or tissues and may cause chronic pain and damage to normal tissues. Just like oxidative damage, inflammation contributes to many chronic conditions, from type 2 diabetes to heart problems and brain disorders, as well as joint pain and arthritis.

References, research and further reading:

A continuously growing list of scientific studies into the benefits of hydrogen gas/water can be found on the Molecular Hydrogen Institute’s website.