Hydrogen-Rich Water Decreases Muscle Damage and Improves Power Endurance in Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Mkrtych Ogannisyan, Anton Slivin, Tyler W LeBaron, Alex Tarnava, Valeriy Karmazin, Sergey Bazanovich, Vladislav Dolgachev, Anna Vychik, Alexander Strizhkov, Sergey Parastaev · Journal of lifestyle medicine · 2025
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In 22 participants, HRW intake led to a reduction in total creatine kinase, vitamin C, and beta-carotene contents (p < 0.05), whereas the vitamin E and interleukin-10 levels increased compared with baseline levels (p < 0.05). These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential to influence inflammatory regulation.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how hydrogen-rich water affected the outcomes measured in 22 participants. HRW intake led to a reduction in total creatine kinase, vitamin C, and beta-carotene contents (p < 0.05), whereas the vitamin E and interleukin-10 levels increased compared with baseline levels (p < 0.05).
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied 22 participants. The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial. The comparison condition was placebo.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
The first group (n = 10) received the biologically active H₂ -producing supplement “Drink HRW,” manufactured by Natural Health Products Inc., New Westminster, Canada. HRW intake led to a reduction in total creatine kinase, vitamin C, and beta-carotene contents (p < 0.05), whereas the vitamin E and interleukin-10 levels increased compared with baseline levels (p < 0.05). The authors concluded that the HRW-generating tablets were found to be safe and well-tolerated by the participants. At the same time, a meta-analysis on hydrogen with exercise indicates that molecular hydrogen may confer favorably modulating effects on the antioxidant/oxidative status in exercise [ 29 ].
Why These Findings Matter
These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential to influence inflammatory regulation and contribute to the growing body of molecular-hydrogen research.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is human clinical evidence from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial. H2HUBB interprets the findings in the context of the study design, sample, comparator, and measured outcomes rather than using one publication as a verdict on hydrogen therapy.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as human clinical study with human clinical evidence. The research population or model was 22 participants. The reported sample size was 22. The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial. The hydrogen delivery method was hydrogen-rich water.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: Although the researchers observed several statistically significant changes in various parameters, the small sample size, inclusion of athletes from only two sports (skeleton and handball), and the exclusive participation of female athletes may limit the generalizability of the findings. Safety information: Molecular hydrogen has been shown to have safe and effective antioxidant properties on athletes.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.