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]
- 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]