Hydrogen water: Does it have health benefits?

How is hydrogen water different than normal water?

Hydrogen water contains extra molecular hydrogen — also known as the H₂ of H₂0. This hydrogen gas is dissolved into water at high pressure.

When it comes to taste, don’t expect any big differences between plain water and hydrogen water. Both waters taste the same.

Are there any benefits to drinking hydrogen water over normal water?

The National Cancer Institute classifies hydrogen-rich water as a nutritional supplement, writing it has “potential preventive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and radiation protective activities.”

There’s limited evidence that hydrogen water has more long-term benefits and effectiveness compared to regular water.

Some small, limited studies have explored hydrogen water’s health benefits, while other studies on the topic are still in the early stages. These studies have suggested that molecular hydrogen:

• Acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants can be created by the body and found in foods. They help the body repair cells and get rid of toxins.
• Is anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a cellular response driven by your immune system.
• Has anti-apoptotic effects, meaning it can prevent programmed cell death in the body.
• May improve cardiovascular and metabolic effects.

Additionally, some small studies using animal models have suggested that hydrogen water may help reduce cancer treatment side effects related to oxidative stress, fatigue and inflammation.

Ultimately, more studies on hydrogen water are needed to help us understand its full benefits.

Are there any risks to drinking hydrogen water?

Hydrogen water is considered generally safe. It isn’t known to cause significant risks or side effects.

In general, hydrogen water is also safe for cancer patients. However, always talk to your care team about anything you're uncertain about before making changes to your diet.

Do we need to add hydrogen to our diet? Why or why not?

You don’t need hydrogen water to get hydrogen in your diet. Your body gets hydrogen from food and water. Your body releases hydrogen during digestion and uses it automatically.

How do we get hydrogen in our diets?

Hydrogen is found in any foods and drinks that contain:

• Carbohydrates
• Fat
• Protein
• Water

Focus on eating a healthy diet. At meals, fill two-thirds of your plate with whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds. The remaining one-third can be lean animal protein or plant-based protein. Making healthy choices will provide your body with nutrients, plus help reduce your risk for cancer and other chronic diseases.

What’s the best source of water?

When it comes to rehydrating, there are plenty of water options to choose from. For a healthy choice, choose an option that doesn’t have added sugar. But the simplest rule of all? Any water that's safe to consume is the best source of water.

Unsure how much water to drink a day? Water intake varies based on many factors, including:

• Age
• Body size
• Activity levels
• Weather
• Health and medical history
• Cancer disease state
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Dietitians sometimes use the Holliday and Segar method to determine water intake: 1 milliliter of water for every calorie burned. For example, a person who burns 2,000 calories a day would need 2,000 milliliters of water, or about 8.5 cups.

When in doubt about your hydration status, MD Anderson wellness dietitian Lindsey Wohlford suggests considering whether you feel thirsty, as well as assessing your energy levels, urine color and frequency, and bowel habits.

Snigdha Poudyal is an inpatient clinical dietitian at MD Anderson.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.