What is hydrogen water? Is it beneficial for alertness, athletic performance, arthritis or other conditions, and is it safe?

Written by Meredith Worthington, Ph.D. — Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Initially Posted: 07/24/2021

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Answer:

Hydrogen water, also called hydrogen-rich water or hydrogen-infused water, is water in which molecular hydrogen (H₂) has been added. Purported benefits of hydrogen water have been attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of molecular hydrogen (Huang, Free Radic Res 2010; Iuchi, Sci Rep 2016).

Hydrogen water has been evaluated for potential benefits with regard to alertness, side effects of radiotherapy in cancer patients, metabolic syndrome, athletic performance, rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, and other conditions. However, as we discuss in detail, the studies have generally been small, short-term, and not placebo controlled.

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