Using a healthy drink instead of regular filtered water is a matter of great interest and research. Hydrogen water is also one of them. So what is Hydrogen water? What are the benefits and notes when using this type of water? Find out with the article below.
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ToggleWhat is Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is a chemical element containing only 1 proton and 1 neutron. They usually exist in the form of gas, colorless, odorless.
Hydrogen is mainly generated from the electrolysis of water molecules (2H2 + O2 → 2H2O; 2H2O → 2H2 + O2) through ionization. In addition, Hydrogen is also created from biological hydrolysates, coal, gas, oil, renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, solar energy, hydroelectricity.
What is hydrogen water?
Hydrogen water (hydrogen-rich water) is water that is dissolved in hydrogen gas. Hydrogen water contains H + ions, is slightly alkaline, pH is about 8.0 to 8.5, is in the range of 6.5 to 8.5 that the Ministry of Health allows. In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), water with a pH between 6.5 and 9.5 is considered safe for human health.
Hydrogen water is alkaline ionized water that contains a lot of Hydrogen thanks to the creation of a new generation of electrolysis technology. Thus, hydrogen-rich alkaline ionized water has all the advantages of alkaline ionized water, and further enhances the anti-aging benefits by containing a high content of active hydrogen.
Hydrogen water is colorless, odorless, tasteless and can be boiled to use as normal filtered water. However, when drinking directly, you should drink immediately after being poured because Hydrogen gas is very volatile.
The ORP (redox index) of hydrogen-rich water is relatively low (-100 to -150). The concentration of hydrogen in water ranges from 140 to 200 ppb (milligrams of hydrogen/m3). Therefore, they have the ability to help neutralize and eliminate strong oxidizing agents in the body.
To identify more or less hydrogen concentration, you can easily see the air bubbles clinging to the wall of the glass when we have just poured from the hydrogen water purifier.
The benefits of hydrogen water
The benefits of hydrogen water are not immediately apparent after drinking. However, in the long run, hydrogen water brings great benefits to the body, this is also the “secret” to help the Japanese have a long life and good health. They use Hydrogen Alkaline Water instead of regular filtered water on a daily basis. So what exactly are the benefits of hydrogen water?
Anti-oxidant, slows down the aging process
First, Hydrogen has extremely strong antioxidant properties, so Hydrogen water also inherits all these advantages. This type of water has the ability to accelerate the process of mineral absorption and rehydration.
Hydrogen is the smallest of all chemical elements. They have the ability to go deep into each weakened cell to neutralize harmful free radicals. At this time, Hydrogen will help restore damaged cells, slow down the aging process and increase resistance.
The Medical Research Department of Kyoto Graduate Institute has a research paper on Hydrogen and they show that the Hydrogen in alkaline water can slow down the aging process by neutralizing disease-causing free radicals and improving the quality of life. improve chromosomal disorders in depleted and senile cells.
Prevent brain damage
Studies show that molecular hydrogen can protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage, by selectively reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, experts have shown that hydrogen has the ability to cross cell membranes and target organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria.
Animal experiments show that Hydrogen water can prevent the development of Parkinson’s disease. Hydrogen water helps reduce oxidation, preventing cognitive decline that leads to dementia and Parkinson’s disease. At the same time, this water also slowed the progression of neurodegeneration, reducing the risk of nerve cell loss in mice.
Balance pH in the body
Athletes, sports people, people with stomach diseases, gout, stomach acid, heartburn, the environment in the body will often lean towards acidity. The addition of hydrogen-rich water helps the body regain the pH balance in the body, reducing uncomfortable symptoms caused by the above diseases.
Hydrogen water helps the body neutralize and remove excess acids – the agents that cause many dangerous diseases.
Improve mental disorders
Hydrogen water helps to improve depression and some mental disorders by helping to restore the natural growth of brain cells.
Inhibition of inflammation
Many studies and surveys have shown that hydrogen has the effect of helping to relieve chronic arthritis and chronic inflammation.
Reduce fatigue and muscle degeneration
Hydrogen water helps reduce the accumulation of lactic acid after performing heavy exercises. In experiments with patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Hydrogen water has been shown to prevent abnormal muscle mass gain and increase production of glutathione peroxidase, an effective antioxidant. fruit.
Prevention of metabolic syndrome
Regular use of hydrogen water can prevent metabolic syndrome (a group of diseases including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess fat, and abnormal cholesterol that occur at the same time to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease). , stroke, diabetes, etc.).
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Studies in rats also show that hydrogen-rich water has the potential to prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Contribute to weight loss
Long-term use of hydrogen water helps control body fat and weight when other conditions remain unchanged.
Enhances mitochondrial function
Mitochondria are likened to a “power plant” of the cell, they help generate energy to supply the cell. This is an important organ in the human body. Based on clinical studies, it can be confirmed that drinking hydrogen-rich water has the ability to directly protect the mitochondria and improve symptoms of mitochondrial disorders.
Support in the treatment of diabetes
Lowers cholesterol, improves glucose tolerance and improves insulin resistance.
Treatment of metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis can be explained by an increase in blood acidity, which is above normal. This condition occurs when the kidneys and lungs are unable to keep the pH balance in the body. Experts believe that metabolic acidosis will be worse with intense exercise and exercise.
The study involved a group of physically active men who were assigned to drink hydrogen-rich water daily for two weeks. Results showed that hydrogen water helped raise blood pH levels both before and after exercise without any side effects. The results of the study concluded that drinking hydrogen water has an alkalizing effect on the blood.
Prevent the risk of cancer
Hydrogen water is considered an effective anti-tumor agent, thanks to its ability to reduce cell oxygenation, preventing the growth of malignant tumors. In addition, this water also contributed to inhibiting angiogenesis in cultured lung cancer cells.
Reducing side effects of cancer treatments
Using cancer therapies can affect the entire system and many organs in the body. Scientists are always trying to research solutions to support health promotion during cancer treatment for patients.
Several studies conducted in rats have shown positive results about the effects of hydrogen water. Hydrogen-rich water improved mortality and weight gain from anticancer drugs and reduced nephrotoxicity in rats. While studied in patients receiving radiation therapy for liver tumors, daily intake of hydrogen water was able to inhibit cellular oxygenation and improve appetite.
Make skin healthier
For cases of acute skin disease, doctors may prescribe hydrogen water injection into the patient’s vein. In particular, bathing in hydrogen water is the “secret” to smoothing wrinkles on the skin, this is the conclusion of a three-month human study. In addition, hydrogen water also contributes to reducing human skin cell damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
Heal wounds and sores
Infusion of hydrogen water into elderly patients by feeding tube helps to reduce ulcer size and enhance recovery.
Limit damage to the transplanted organ
Some documents indicate that hydrogen water in the form of a preservative solution contributes to reducing the damage to organs during the transplant process.
Protect the heart
Using hydrogen water during the treatment of diabetes in rats showed that myocardial functions were significantly improved. From there, adding a basis to the conclusion that molecular hydrogen is useful for diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Protect your eyes
Several types of hydrogen-containing eye drops were administered during the rehabilitation of retinal injuries in rats. Corneal treatment with hydrogen solution has the effect of reducing blood vessel growth after alkaline burns in rats. It has been shown that hydrogen therapy helps prevent blindness and protects eyes after chemical burns.
Preventing hearing loss
Not only is it good for the eyes, molecular hydrogen also protects the hearing receptor cells from oxidative damage. Studies in mice have found that saline and hydrogen-rich water may have prevented the deterioration of cochlear hair cells following noise exposure. Therefore, hydrogen water contributes to the protection of hearing against loud noises.
Anti-allergy
Drinking hydrogen water quickly eliminated allergic reactions in mice. Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder that presents as a red, scaly rash on the skin. In mice with this disorder, hydrogen water effectively reduced inflammation.
Improve kidney disease
Drinking hydrogen water helps reduce inflammation and stabilize blood pressure in hemodialysis patients. Hydrogen-rich water can improve renal dysfunction caused by toxic damage by reducing cellular stress and aiding in the elimination of chemicals such as Cr and BUN.
Protect the liver
Hydrogen water has strong antioxidant properties, which contribute to the protection of the liver from harmful free radical damage. Experiments on mice showed that drinking hydrogen water inhibited the process of cell fibrosis in the liver of mice. Not only that, hydrogen-rich water also improved liver function in patients with hepatitis.
Promotes gut health
Hydrogen water attenuates aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. By inhibiting oxidation and inflammation, hydrogen water may protect the stomachs of healthy people from oxidative damage.
Prevent the risk of cancer
Hydrogen water is considered an effective anti-tumor agent, thanks to its ability to reduce cell oxygenation, preventing the growth of malignant tumors. In addition, this water also contributed to inhibiting angiogenesis in cultured lung cancer cells.
Prevent bladder blockage
Hydrogen-rich water can help patients with bladder obstruction by reducing oxygenation.
Issues to pay special attention to when using hydrogen water
Using hydrogen water is very good for health, but you need to pay attention to the following issues to achieve the best effect.
Hydrogen water after pouring should be used immediately
Hydrogen is inherently very small molecules in water, so they are very volatile. Therefore, after pouring the water into the glass, you should use it immediately and do not leave it for more than 15 minutes. The longer hydrogen water is left in the air, the worse the water quality becomes, no longer providing its inherent benefits.
Hydrogen water can still be boiled, but please limit
Many experts have done experiments and concluded that hydrogen can be boiled, but when heated on high heat for too long, the hydrogen component will evaporate. At this point, hydrogen water will be no different from normal water. Therefore, you need to pay attention to this, do not let the hydrogen water boil for too long.
Children under 6 months old can still use it
Many people think that young children cannot drink hydrogen water, but this view is not true. It is perfectly suitable for all babies, even babies under 6 months old. But when giving children to drink, mothers need to boil water above 63 degrees Celsius to ensure that the water is not re-infected with bacteria.
Using hydrogen water is safe for health
Currently, there are no recommendations on limiting the use of hydrogen water, so you can use it as normal mineral water in all eating and living activities. However, anything when overused is not good, you should also add normal water to your body instead of just drinking hydrogen-rich water.
How much hydrogen water should you drink per day?
According to research by scientists from the NGO MHI (Specializing in the study of the benefits of Hydrogen for the body). If your water has a concentration of 1.5 mg/L (equivalent to 1500 ppb), then you should drink 1.5 – 2 liters of alkaline ionized hydrogen water during the day. If the hydrogen content is lower, you need to drink more.
However, this calculation simply shows you how much hydrogen water to use per day. But the weight, height, age, gender, needs that the amount of water consumed by each individual is also different. Therefore, you can balance the amount of hydrogen water just enough for the body in about 1.5 – 2.5 liters per day.
Answer questions about how to use Hydrogen water
Hydrogen water has many good uses for the body, but this type of water is still not widely used. Because there are still many questions about the use of this water. Here are frequently asked questions and answers:
Can I use hydrogen water for cooking?
High heat on the stove will reduce the hydrogen content in the water significantly. However, using hydrogen water is not harmful to health or affects the quality of food. Experts recommend drinking hydrogen water directly, right after heels. This is the best way to keep the quality and efficiency of the water intact.
Is it safe to use hydrogen water for a long time?
There has not been any scientific evidence about the harmful effects of hydrogen water on the human body, it is quite safe for the body and health, even supporting the treatment of some diseases. You can rest assured when using hydrogen water as long as other types of water on the market.
Is there a device to test the hydrogen concentration in water?
To measure the hydrogen content in water you need an auxiliary device, usually there are 2 main methods:
- Measure with electrode pen: use Hydro Truslex meter
- Measured by test kit with Colloidal Platinum base catalyst
Is it okay to drink too much hydrogen water?
For healthy people, drinking hydrogen water does not affect health. However, if you have chronic medical conditions, consult your doctor for a reasonable way to supplement hydrogen water.
How to check if the machine has a hydrogen filter function or not?
Today, hydrogen water purifiers are manufactured by many large corporations around the world. The parameters related to the hydrogen content are carefully measured at the laboratories and R&D centers of the group, to ensure the quality and stability of the hydrogen source throughout the product life.
Through the content of the above article, we have learned about the concept of hydrogen water and its benefits. Don’t forget to follow us so you can stay up to date with new and interesting knowledge on topics of health and beauty.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.