Hydrogen rich water consumption for 8 weeks significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD) and reduced oxidative stress markers (TBARS) while improving lipid profiles in subjects with potential metabolic syndrome. The portable magnesium stick delivery method proved safe and effective, suggesting hydrogen rich water may represent a novel preventive and therapeutic strategy for managing metabolic syndrome and its associated cardiometabolic risk factors.
Plain-Language Summary
This small pilot study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water (made by placing a magnesium stick in water) could help 20 people with signs of metabolic syndrome—a condition involving obesity, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol. Over 8 weeks, participants who drank 1.5–2 liters daily showed increases in an antioxidant enzyme that protects cells from damage, decreases in markers of cellular damage in urine, and modest improvements in cholesterol levels, but no change in blood sugar.
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by cardiometabolic risk factors that include obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Oxidative stress is known to play a major role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of hydrogen rich water (1.5-2 L/day) in an open label, 8-week study on 20 subjects with potential metabolic syndrome. Hydrogen rich water was produced, by placing a metallic magnesium stick into drinking water (hydrogen concentration; 0.55-0.65 mM), by the following chemical reaction; Mg + 2H(2)O --> Mg (OH)(2) + H(2). The consumption of hydrogen rich water for 8 weeks resulted in a 39% increase (p<0.05) in antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a 43% decrease (p<0.05) in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in urine. Further, subjects demonstrated an 8% increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and a 13% decrease in total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol from baseline to week 4. There was no change in fasting glucose levels during the 8 week study. In conclusion, drinking hydrogen rich water represents a potentially novel therapeutic and preventive strategy for metabolic syndrome. The portable magnesium stick was a safe, easy and effective method of delivering hydrogen rich water for daily consumption by participants in the study.
DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.09-100
