frequently asked questions
A: Yes, all water is made up with hydrogen and oxygen. However the hydrogen that takes part in making up water is bound to the water molecule and not in a free form that is available to the body. What we mean by hydrogen water or hydrogen-rich water is water infused with hydrogen gas (H2). This means that hydrogen molecules (H2) are dissolved into the water, but do not actually bond with the water molecule. This is similar to carbonated beverages that are enriched with CO2 (carbon dioxide gas) or oxygenated water, rich in O2 (oxygen gas). Hydrogen water, which appears in numerous scientific literature as a beverage providing therapeutic benefits is referring to this type of water. Hydrogen water can be made a number of ways, bubbling H2 (hydrogen gas) into water, electrolysis, hydrogen water generators (HIM), H2 producing tablets, etc. [4][5]
A: H2 is the lightest and smallest molecule, meaning it can escape out of virtually anything. Hydrogen water is similar to carbonated drinks that become flat over time, especially if it is left exposed to the atmosphere. H2 appears to have a half-life around 2 hours if left in an open glass or exposed to air. For example, if you had a glass of hydrogen-rich water measuring at 1.0 mg/L (ppm), if that glass was not consumed, it would approximately measure 0.5 mg/L (ppm) after 2 hours. H2 escapes faster than carbon dioxide, so it is important to drink it fresh, or in relativity short time frames. [6][7][8]
A: Hydrogen gas will not affect the taste of one’s water. Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. In most instances, people would not know they were drinking hydrogen-rich water unless they were told ahead time. Although anecdotally, hydrogen gas does appear to add a smooth or silky texture to water, making hydrogen rich water enjoyable to drink. [9][10]
A: H2 is very natural and native to the human body, as H2 is produced by gut flora located in the human intestinal tract (small and large intestine). It has also been demonstrated that H2 has a very high safety profile, based upon research studies and experiments throughout history. For example, US Navy divers have used concentrations as high as 98.87% H2 (with 1.26% O2) in their breathing tanks with little to no cytotoxic effects. Any excess H2 not used by the body with be breathed out via the lungs. [11][12][13][14]
A: No, you cant ingest to much H2 for a few reasons:
- H2 does not necessarily accumulate or stay in the body for an extended period of time. Studies show that once exogenous molecular hydrogen enters systemic circulation it appears to only be around for 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the dose, before all the ingested H2 is breathed out via the lungs. [15][16]
- Molecular hydrogen has been shown to have little to no cytotoxic effects even at extremely high levels. This was proven by the US military drivers who have used the gas for deep sea diving since the 1960’s. [17]
A: Hydrogen rich water is great for all people and age ranges, even animals. Since everyone (adults and children) are expose to oxidation which can lead to oxidative stress. Hydrogen rich water is a great choice for daily water consumption, as it has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and has zero known cytotoxic effects to the body. Hydrogen rich water is a preventative drink you could give yourself and children, feeling absolutely safe in doing so, base on scientific research. [18]
A: Open containers of filtered drinking water or any water will have small amount of atmospheric gas in them, according to Henry’s law. Since there is only 0.00005% of H2 gas in the atmosphere by volume, normal filtered drinking water will not contain adequate levels of of dissolved molecular hydrogen to produce therapeutic effects. Studies have demonstrated water containing dissolved hydrogen gas at a concentration of 0.5 mg/L (ppm) to 1.6 mg/L (ppm), can provide therapeutic effects to the human body, as opposed to 0.8 ppt (parts per trillion) or less found in normal drinking waters (Tap, bottled water, etc), which is a million times less than what is deemed therapeutic. [19]
A: H2 is the smallest molecule in the universe. To put this in perspective, let’s compare the size (picometer) and weight (mol. mass) of H2 to two very well known antioxidant molecules: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Q10 ( ubiquinone). H2 is 1/88th the weight and 1/26th the size of Vitamin C. H2, compared to the Q10 molecule’s size and weight, is even more shocking. H2 is 1/432 the weight and 1/128th the size of Q10. What do all these numbers mean? Well, because hydrogen gas is so small and it is a neutral molecule it can penetrate every part of the human body, even into the smallest compartments of the human cells. H2 is so small it can pass through all human barriers (BBB, Placenta, Testis, etc). This means H2 can provide its therapeutic benefits to virtually every organ and part of the human body. [20][21]
