The majority of people have not yet heard of hydrogen water. With the way research is advancing, chances are it won’t be long until you’re seeing it everywhere. The first question most have is “What exactly is hydrogen water? Doesn’t water already contain hydrogen?”
Simply put although tap water has hydrogen. Hydrogen is bound to the oxygen to make H2O and does not deliver any of the benefits molecular hydrogen has shown through research. With hydrogen water, hydrogen gas (H2) is dissolved into water. Clinical research has previously demonstrated that inhalation of hydrogen gas has therapeutic medical effects. Surprisingly, simply dissolving the gas in water and drinking it, known as hydrogen water, also provides many therapeutic effects as observed in the clinical studies. In fact, most clinical studies exploring molecular hydrogen’s therapeutic benefits have simply used hydrogen water, because it appears to often be more effective than inhalation, despite the far lower dose.
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Hydrogen therapy:
Now that it is established what hydrogen water is, what are the benefits of adding hydrogen gas to your water? The answer is that research on this topic has exploded over the last 13 years, with 1500+ publications and close to 100 clinical trials demonstrating a therapeutic benefit of molecular hydrogen on numerous models, with the most prominent results being when it’s dissolved in water. Throughout the research, hydrogen has shown the potential ability to regulate some of the most critical systems in our body towards homeostasis, or more simply put harmony. Hydrogen therapy has shown to regulate the inflammatory response, regulate our redox status, which is the delicate relationship between our antioxidants and beneficial prooxidants, and correct stress-driven changes to these, and many other, critical functions.
Hydrogen Therapy Helpful Against COVID-19:
It has recently been discovered that hydrogen therapy may have the potential to positively impact numerous factors that could put us at risk for COVID-19. Such as compromised metabolic health and sleep deprivation; factors that are already some of the leading causes of shortening health span and progression of more serious diseases. In fact, one clinical trial has shown that hydrogen therapy may be effective for COVID-19 itself [1].
Drink HRW:
One commercial company in the hydrogen water space named “Drink HRW” is leading the way in honest messaging and the pursuit of high-quality clinical research. Drink HRW is working with researchers from 12 different Universities/Institutions around the world. With 6 published clinical trials and 2 case studies to date after only 4 years on the market. Their CEO Alex Tarnava claims they have an additional 15 more clinical trials at various stages. From recruiting to under peer review, as well as 4 preclinical research programs. When asked as to why researchers in the field are overwhelmingly turning to Drink HRW, he had this to say:
“At Drink HRW we deliver the highest dosage and concentration of hydrogen in water, instantly available anywhere in the world. We have committed to supporting research around the world to better understand this important and fascinating molecule. Also; we work with researchers to search for the truth, believing strongly that the researchers, not private companies, should have the sole authority to design their studies and decide to publish results. We believe pursuit of the truth and integrity in research is the best path towards long-term growth.”
Drink HRW tablets:
This type of response and attitude towards the pursuit of truth is one of the reasons why tarnava has been talked about and featured in articles posted in Forbes touching on the Art of Influence, and a feature in Forbes India which discussed hydrogen water and specifically Tarnava and Drink HRW.
One clinical trial has recently published demonstrating the Drink HRW tablets that are equivalent at raising alertness. That follows 24hrs of sleep deprivation as compared to 100mg of caffeine, showing no side effects. The studies corresponding author Dr. Sergej Ostojic, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. He is a senior author of the Neurophysiology study said, “This preliminary non-inferiority trial allowed us to find that both caffeine and hydrogen-rich water acutely affected markers of alertness in young sleep-deprived men and women, with the effects similar between interventions.
HRW and Caffeine Impact on Different Domains:
Nevertheless, it appears that HRW and caffeine had an impact on different domains of alertness. Hydrogen improves orienting to sensory stimulation, while caffeine alters awareness and executive attention. It refers to the ability to regulate responses in conflict situations. HRW perhaps galvanizes the orienting network in the brain. It may play a role in various everyday circumstances that require directing of attention to a specific stimulus. HRW also displayed no undesirable effects after single-dose interventions. Therefore, it might suggest as a rather safe and effective alternative to caffeine for correction of the results of sleep deprivation.”
Sleep Disturbances also Lead to Cognitive Impairments:
When asked to comment on the results of the study, Dr. Ismail Laher, a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics. He is at the University of British Columbia and a distinguished sleep disturbance expert. He said, “Sleep deprivation poses a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, obesity, diabetes, and a weakened immune system. Importantly, sleep disturbances also lead to cognitive impairments and risks of motor vehicle accidents.
Many people who deprived of sleep reach for a caffeinated product to stay alert. While a few cups of coffee are safe for most people. It is important to consider issues of caffeine addiction/withdrawal and the variable metabolism of caffeine in different people. Energy drinks and energy shots are also of concern. Especially for children, adolescents, and women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Alternatives to caffeine that have shown to provide the same degree of alertness are promising. But should thoroughly test for safety and efficacy.”
High-dose Hydrogen Water:
Interestingly, high-dose hydrogen water delivered through the Drink HRW tablets have shown to improve some of the very issues Prof. Laher describes sleep deprivation as a risk factor for, with a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. That follow 60 participants with metabolic syndrome for 24 weeks finding the high-dose hydrogen water intervention largely reversed the condition.[2] This clinical trial followed a pilot trial of 12 participants in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design for 28 days that demonstrated high-dose hydrogen water from the Drink HRW tablets reduced liver fat, lowered the liver marker AST by 10%, and saw an 11% improvement in insulin sensitivity in just 28 days[3]
So, does hydrogen water, or more accurately molecular hydrogen, come with side effects? As written by Drink HRW CEO Alex Tarnava after an extensive review, hydrogen therapy shows a very high safety profile with very few, and inconsistent, reports of any side effects in the clinical research.
Research is in Developing Stages:
It is important to note that the research is still early in development. Clinical research in larger study groups needs any clear conclusions on absolute effectiveness for any indication or segment of the population. However, early research for hydrogen water is showing to be quite compelling. When asked about plans to continue research on the topic of metabolic health and sleep deprivation, Tarnava had this to say:
“One team is currently conducting a larger replicative study on NAFLD using the Drink HRW tablets, expected to complete by the end of 2020. Additionally, a more thoroughly controlled study looking to replicate and further explore hydrogen water vs caffeine for acute sleep deprivation is currently recruiting, again using the Drink HRW tablets. Teams also have incorporated sleep measurements into 3 of the clinical trials using the Drink HRW tablets that are underway. The best way to drive towards further understanding the clinical relevance is replicative work, gradually increasing controls and study size.”
Some Benefits:
[1] Guan, W., Wei, C., Chen, A., Sun, X., Guo, G., Zou, X., Shi, J., Lai, P., Zheng, Z., & Zhong, N. (2020). Hydrogen/oxygen mixed gas inhalation improves disease severity and dyspnea in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 in a recent multicenter, open-label clinical trial. Journal Of Thoracic Disease, 12(6), 3448-3452. doi:10.21037/jtd-2020-057
[2] LeBaron TW, Singh RB, Fatima G, et al. The Effects of 24-Week, High-Concentration Hydrogen-Rich Water on Body Composition, Blood Lipid Profiles and Inflammation Biomarkers in Men and Women with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2020;13:889-896. Published 2020 Mar 24. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S240122
[3] . Korovljev D, Stajer V, Ostojic J, LeBaron TW, Ostojic SM. Hydrogen-rich water reduces liver fat accumulation and improves liver enzyme profiles in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2019 Nov;43(6):688-693. doi: 10.1016/j.clinre.2019.03.008. Epub 2019 Apr 11. PMID: 30982748.
