What is Hydrogen-Rich Water?

I. What is Hydrogen-Rich Water?

Hydrogen-rich water contains a certain concentration of hydrogen gas. Its name originates from the Japanese term "Suiso water" (水素水), and it is also known as "hydrogen water." Hydrogen (H₂) is a colorless, odorless, diatomic gas molecule with a density lower than air. It is poorly soluble in water and can be collected using the water displacement method. At room temperature, hydrogen is relatively stable and does not readily react with other substances. However, under specific conditions (such as ignition, heating, or using catalysts), it can undergo vigorous reactions and may cause explosions upon contact with an ignition source. Consequently, the initial technological challenge in producing hydrogen-rich water was maintaining a relatively high and stable hydrogen concentration in water.Domestic nano gas-liquid mixing technology employs physical methods to uniformly encapsulate hydrogen molecules within water molecules, thereby achieving a stable state between hydrogen and water. This technology overcomes the difficulties of enriching and stabilizing hydrogen in water. The resulting hydrogen-rich water features high hydrogen concentration and excellent stability.

II. Literature Analysis on Hydrogen-Rich Water Research

In recent years, researchers have provided more findings and progress in the application and development of hydrogen-rich water. By searching the CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) database for recent research papers on hydrogen-rich water, selecting "Medicine and Health Technology" as the literature category, and using "hydrogen-rich water" or "hydrogen" as keywords, 452 papers were retrieved. The publication trend over the past decade is shown in Figure 1. Similarly, selecting "Agricultural Science and Technology" as the category and using the same keywords yielded 100 papers, with the publication trend shown in Figure 2. Figures 1 and 2 indicate that research reports on hydrogen-rich water showed a positive trend around 2017, with increasing attention from researchers.

Research on hydrogen-rich water can be traced back to 2007, when Ohsawa et al. discovered that H₂ can selectively neutralize peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH), scavenge excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thereby alleviate oxidative damage caused by cerebral ischemia. Since then, research on hydrogen has gradually gained attention. In recent years, applied research on hydrogen-rich water and hydrogen has primarily focused on fields such as medicine, sports, agriculture, and cosmetics.

2.1 Current Application Status in Medicine

Research has found that hydrogen exhibits significant therapeutic effects and can treat various diseases. However, most studies remain at the animal experiment stage, and its actual clinical efficacy has yet to be confirmed or reported. Some studies suggest hydrogen is used in various disease models and treatment research, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetes, cancer prevention and treatment, traumatic brain injury, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its therapeutic effects are notable, research progress is rapid, and it holds broad prospects for clinical application.

Hu Honglei et al. studied the protective effects of hydrogen-rich water against liver injury in rats induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The study showed that hydrogen-rich water could mitigate AFB1-induced liver damage in rats, potentially through reducing oxidative stress caused by AFB1 and inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Concurrently, other studies indicate that high concentrations of hydrogen may help reduce traumatic brain injury in rats, possibly through anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative stress mechanisms. Shi Qian et al. reviewed the preventive and therapeutic effects of hydrogen in cardiovascular diseases, indicating that hydrogen effectively scavenges hydroxyl radicals, exhibits selective antioxidant activity, and offers effective prevention and treatment for conditions like atherosclerosis and organ inflammation. Thus, it may serve as a novel antioxidant with therapeutic potential for cardiovascular diseases.

Furthermore, there are reports on combining hydrogen-rich water with traditional Chinese medicine for disease prevention and treatment. Yao Huan et al. investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich water combined with Xiangsha Liujunzi Pills on rats with functional dyspepsia, using body weight, gastric emptying rate, small intestine propulsion rate, motilin, gastrin, and ghrelin as evaluation indicators. The results demonstrated a synergistic therapeutic effect when hydrogen-rich water was used in combination. Research on hydrogen-rich water in medicine is extensive and covers a wide range of applications. However, most studies are still confined to animal experiments. Further research into its clinical applications is warranted and holds significant potential for development and application.

2.2 Current Application Status in Sports

As a potable water, hydrogen-rich water is also widely studied in the sports field. Zhang Shuangshuang et al. examined changes in oxidative stress injury markers and antioxidant indicators in rats undergoing moderate-intensity endurance training before and after freely drinking hydrogen-rich water. The results showed that after 8 weeks of free consumption, exercise-induced lipid peroxidation damage was significantly reduced, and antioxidant capacity was markedly enhanced, demonstrating that hydrogen-rich water offers protective effects against exercise-induced oxidative stress injury. Zou Xian et al. observed the effects of administering glucose, hydrogen-rich water, or a glucose-hydrogen-rich water combination immediately after exhaustive exercise on rat malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, muscle glycogen, and exercise endurance to evaluate fatigue recovery. The results indicated that combining glucose and hydrogen-rich water effectively reduced serum MDA, increased gastrocnemius muscle glycogen, and enhanced exercise endurance. Glucose alone only increased muscle glycogen, while hydrogen-rich water alone only reduced serum MDA. Ou Minghao et al.'s research showed that supplementing female judo athletes with hydrogen-rich water after high-intensity training significantly reduced free radical levels, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and enhanced total antioxidant capacity. Hydrogen-rich water may offer protective effects against lipid peroxidation caused by heavy-load training.

2.3 Current Application Status in Cosmetics

Lü Pingping et al. reported on the potential skin-whitening effects of hydrogen-rich water. Based on its excellent antioxidant properties, their study investigated its inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. The results showed that hydrogen-rich water effectively inhibits tyrosinase activity, suggesting promising applications in the cosmetics field. Zhou Ping et al.'s research indicated that hydrogen-rich water promotes the healing of skin damage caused by radiation, possibly through mechanisms related to reducing oxidative damage and inflammatory responses.