What is Hydrogen Water (H2)?

Hydrogen is the smallest and lightest element in the universe. Due to its exceptionally small size and strong ability to dissolve in lipids, it readily permeates sub-cellular compartments, including the mitochondria and other areas.
Free radicals, such as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), are composed of an unpaired valence electron. Electrons typically exhibit a preference for pairing or having a partner, and when a chemical species possesses only one electron, it becomes highly reactive and unstable. These free radicals can initiate chain reactions within biological systems, leading to oxidative stress and potential damage to cellular components, and can lead to various health issues, such as aging, inflammation, and chronic diseases.
Hydrogen molecule, H2, consists of 2 hydrogen atom (H), bonded together as H-H. Hydrogen can donate their electrons as H. to free radicals to neutralize the unstable free radicals with their unpaired electrons, thus, stabilizing the reactive species and preventing them from attacking our healthy cells in our body.
Why Do We Need Hydrogen Water?

In the current world, we are exposed to many free radicals, such as through stress, processed food, radiation from electronics, cigarette & alcohol, and lack of sleep, which are some of the factors that contribute further to certain diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Thus, antioxidants play a crucial role in neutralizing free radicals by donating electrons without becoming destabilized. By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants play a crucial role in safeguarding cellular structures, including DNA, proteins, and lipids, and thereby contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress-related damage and the development of various health conditions.
Hydrogen, being the smallest element in the universe, is the only antioxidant that can easily travel to every human cell including the brain cells, to neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress attack. Beside that, hydrogen is odourless, non-toxic and biologically safe and inert with the body, which make it the most ideal antioxidant for combating oxidative stress and promoting overall cellular health.
Benefit of Hydrogen Water to Our Body

1. Anti Aging
Toxic free radicals can cause damage in biological systems and are one of the causes of premature aging. These toxic free radicals damage structural protein by oxidizing elastin and collagen in the skin, causing the skin to lose its elasticity and become wrinkled. Hydrogen water acts as an antioxidant that has been proven to increase the elasticity of human skin and decrease the free radicals attack on collagen.
Free radicals can accelerate aging and contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The brain is susceptible to free radical damage. However, preventing or treating these diseases with antioxidants like Vitamin C, A, and E is challenging due to their large molecular size, which cannot reach the brain. In contrast, smaller-sized hydrogen molecules can penetrate brain cells and eliminate toxic free radicals.
2. Improve performance and reduce sport injury
Heavy exercise will cause muscle pain because of the production of lactic acid. Drinking hydrogen water will reduce lactic acid production, preventing muscle fatigue and promoting muscle recovery. Drinking hydrogen water can boost energy and performance during intense physical activity.
In a study of 10 male soccer players, those who drank 51 ounces (1,500 ml) of hydrogen-enriched water had lower blood lactate levels and reduced muscle fatigue after exercise compared to a placebo group (Aoki et al, 2012). Another two-week study with eight male cyclists showed that those who consumed 68 ounces (2 liters) of hydrogen-enriched water daily had greater power output in sprinting exercises than those who drank regular water (Da Ponte et al, 2018).


3. Anti-Inflammation
High levels of toxic free radicals can cause inflammation, which could lead to many diseases such as metabolic syndrome, which is a condition that includes a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include high blood sugar, increased triglycerides level, low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), abdominal obesity, and high blood pressure. Drinking hydrogen water is capable of neutralizing these toxic free radicals and preventing chronic inflammation.
In a 10-week study, 20 individuals with signs of metabolic syndrome were directed to consume 30–34 ounces (0.9–1 litre) of hydrogen water daily. By the end of the trial, participants observed notable decreases in “bad” LDL and total cholesterol, elevated levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, increased antioxidant activity, and lowered levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α (Song et al, 2013).
4. Anti-Cancer

Reference
Aoki, K., Nakao, A., Adachi, T., Matsui, Y., Miyakawa, S., (2012). Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes. Med Gas Res. 2012; 2: 12. Published online 2012 Jul 12. doi: 10.1186/2045-9912-2-12
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22520831/
Da Ponte, A., Giovanelli, N., Nigris, D., Lazzer, S. (2018). Effects of hydrogen rich water on prolonged intermittent exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018 May;58(5):612-621. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.06883-9. Epub 2017 Apr 26.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28474871/
Song G, Li M, Sang H, Zhang L, Li X, Yao S, Yu Y, Zong C, Xue Y, Qin S. (2013). Hydrogen-rich water decreases serum LDL cholesterol levels and improves HDL function in patients with potential metabolic syndrome. Published, JLR Papers in Press, 22 April 2013 DOI 10.1194/jlr.M036640
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23610159/
Kang KM, Kang YN, Choi IB, Gu Y, Kawamura T, Toyoda Y, Nakao A. Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumors. Med Gas Res. 2011 Jun 7;1(1):11. doi: 10.1186/2045-9912-1-11. PMID: 22146004; PMCID: PMC3231938.