Hydrogen water promises many health benefits. In particular, it is said to eliminate free radicals in the body and thus contribute to cell regeneration. You can find out what science says about the trend here.
Drinking enough is important – this fact is usually accepted unchallenged. The German Nutrition Society recommends drinking at least one and a half liters of water a day.
Water is naturally low in calories and sugar-free and is therefore best suited for healthy fluid intake. But now a new trend promises even healthier water: hydrogen water. It is said to support the body particularly well thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can benefit athletes, for example.
What initially sounds promising has not been sufficiently scientifically investigated or proven. Here you will find an overview of the most important facts, possible benefits and scientific findings about hydrogen water.
Hydrogen water: what is it?
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Hydrogen water is normal drinking water that is also enriched with molecular hydrogen (H2). It is also called hydrogenated water or hydrogen water. The US National Cancer Institute explains that molecular hydrogen dissolves in water under pressure and is therefore available to our body when it absorbs fluids.
Hydrogen is a gas that is completely harmless and non-toxic. We can’t taste it, see it or smell it. Our senses therefore cannot distinguish hydrogen water from conventional drinking water.
Hydrogen water: It should have these advantages
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According to the AOK, hydrogen-rich water is said to have numerous health benefits. It is therefore becoming more and more trendy, especially among athletes, in the anti-aging sector and among people who generally want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The possible positive effects on the human body are based on small studies and animal experiments. This includes:
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Antioxidant Properties: Molecular hydrogen is known to act as an antioxidant in our body. The hydrogen water is intended to help against oxidative stress, in which the body is exposed to free radicals. In the long term, these can lead to cell damage and inflammatory reactions. The enriched water can potentially increase the body’s antioxidant capacity and improve resistance to free radicals.
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Stimulate metabolism: The antioxidant properties can also protect mitochondria, the body’s own cell power plant, from free radicals. This in turn has the advantage that they work more effectively and the (fat) metabolism is optimized.
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Anti-aging effect: As the smallest known element in the universe, hydrogen can penetrate into the cell nucleus and the genetic material. It can therefore contribute to cell regeneration and an anti-aging effect. This is why hydrogen is also used in cosmetics.
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Blood sugar regulation: Hydrogen causes the liver to release hormones that the body needs to break down fatty acids and use glucose. As a result, hydrogen water could potentially lower blood sugar and reduce insulin and blood lipid levels.
There are no known possible side effects and there are no health risks associated with drinking the hydrogen-rich water. However, the hydrogen evaporates quickly after opening the bottle or can and must therefore be drunk soon.
This is what science says about hydrogen water
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Hydrogen water sounds promising: support the body’s health without side effects, without any calories or effort. As with any trend, it makes sense to critically question the benefits and scientific studies in question.
So far, these have only been small-scale studies and animal experiments that can be partially transferred and generalized to humans. In a review from 2024, researchers examined and compared previous studies. The bottom line: They are all promising, but not enough to definitively confirm the possible benefits and further research is needed.
For example, existing studies have researched how hydrogen water can improve the performance of athletes. Further research in this field points to the antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress in athletes and improve the body’s ability to regenerate.
Scientists are also investigating the possible medical advances that hydrogen water can bring. The anti-inflammatory properties may potentially lead to insights in the field of hydrogen medicine. But here too it is pointed out that previous findings are incomplete.
Buy hydrogen water or make it yourself
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If you are interested in hydrogen water and want to try it yourself, you have various options for buying the drink or making it yourself:
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Buy: So far the selection is very limited and you have to buy the water from specialist retailers or order it online. However, this has its price: According to AOK, bottled hydrogen water costs an average of three euros per liter.
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Hydrogen tablets: Alternatively, you can buy hydrogen tablets online. They dissolve in the water and you can easily make hydrogen water yourself.
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Hydrogen device: You can enrich the water with hydrogen yourself at home using a special device. The purchase is quite expensive (around 300 euros), but then you can make hydrogen water at any time.
There is no recommended consumption amount for hydrogen water. However, the AOK points out that you should definitely drink enough water, whether with or without H2. You can drink tap water in Germany without hesitation.
Conclusion: Hydrogen-water trend needs further research
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So does it make sense to drink hydrogen water now or is it just a new trend?
The answer to this question is not final. Studies to date are promising in that hydrogen water may be able to eliminate free radicals and therefore maintain good health. There are currently no indicators that suggest avoiding the consumption of hydrogen water. On the other hand, there are not enough proven reasons to drink enriched water.
Instead, the most important thing is to pay attention to a balanced diet and always drink enough fluids. Antioxidants also occur naturally in our foods.
You can additionally support your body with other drinks. For example, try electrolyte drinks for athletes or natural thirst quenchers in the heat. With various teas and herbs you can make drinks for your immune system and also strengthen your body.
By the way: Another trend is to enrich water with salt. You can read what’s really going on here: Water with salt: Is it healthy?
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