The COVID-19 pandemic has engendered unprecedented global health challenges: with the world racing to find the right treatments and prevention, new and innovative ideas are piquing interest. One such notion relates to the effect of hydrogen water on the immune system and its anti-virus protection, both to generalized and specific, such as COVID-19. But what is hydrogen water, exactly, and can it really help in combating viruses like the one that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2? In this write-up, we follow up on the concept of hydrogen water, scientific background, and benefits when it comes to viral health, particularly that of COVID-19.
What is Hydrogen Water?
Hydrogen water: H2 Generation and Molecular Hydrogen H2 water or hydrogenated water, is water that has been modified to contain the active hydrogen and infused with molecular hydrogen((H2). Hydrogen gas, although the most common element in the universe, is usually not available, except in compound form such as water (H₂O) or in hydrocarbons. Hydrogen water on the other hand contains free molecular hydrogen, with distinctive anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potential.
Molecular hydrogen is generated by introducing pure hydrogen gas into water or through electrolysis, which is the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The end product is water with a high concentration of dissolved hydrogen, which is frequently promoted for its healing properties.
How Does Hydrogen Water Work?
Hydrogen water has been attracting the attention of the scientific community because of its possible health benefits, especially as an antioxidant. Hydrogen is believed to help by scavenging free radicals, unstable molecules that contribute to oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress has been associated with a multitude of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders and even cancer.
Studies indicate that hydrogen water could also have an impact on inflammation and immune function. The idea is that by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation, the water could potentially improve overall health and help the body better fight off infections — including those caused by viruses such as COVID-19.
Hydrogen Water and Viral Health: Can It Assist with COVID-19?
While using hydrogen water to combat viruses like SARS-CoV-2 may sound cutting-edge, the scientific evidence for its efficacy remains thin. There’s no concrete evidence so far that drinking hydrogen water could stop you from catching COVID-19, or that it could help you fight off the virus once you have it, but there is some research to suggest that it could indirectly support immune function and general health—likely making your body a better host to fend off infections.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Hydrogen water is famed for its antioxidant properties, which may be beneficial in counteracting the damage caused by viral infections. Infants with the virus have developed COVID-19 inflammatory response syndrome, which can cause severe respiratory distress syndrome, cytokine storms and organ injury. By decreasing oxidative stress, hydrogen water could help reduce inflammation and support healthier immune function, and that might mean the body is better able to cope with viral infections.
Improving Cellular Health
Hydrogen-rich water has been investigated for its effect on alleviation of the cells damaged by oxidative stress. For viral infections, for example, as the immune system fights off the virus, cells of the body may be damaged in the process. Because of hydrogen’s potential to reduce oxidative stress, it might prevent cells from being damaged, preserve functions, and accelerate recovery.
Modulation of the Immune System
It also has an exciting feature of regulating the immune system of the body, just what we need to manage the current times. The immune system’s reaction to viral infections, including COVID-19, is frequently a careful balancing act. And if the body’s response is not strong enough, it might have trouble clearing the virus, causing the illness to last for some time. Alternatively, an overly active immune response can result in uncontrolled inflammation and tissue destruction. Hydrogen water may aid in the modulation of the immune system, intervening in the proper production and orchestration of the immune response upon viral attack.
Supporting Respiratory Health
COVID-19 primarily involves the respiratory system and can manifest as severe symptoms, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The impact of hydrogen-enriched water on inflammatory lung diseases other than COVID-19 In investigations of other inflammatory lung diseases, hydrogen water has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation and improve lung function. More studies are necessary, but this could mean that hydrogen water may play a role in reducing respiratory symptoms tied to COVID-19.
Scientific Research and Evidence
There are a number of reports that hydrogen water will benefit those with viral infections or other infections and or any other inflammatory insult. Although the research about COVID-19 is still preliminary, below are a few other studies that have looked at the broader potential of hydrogen on health:
Antioxidant Effect Study: A study published in 2017 in Medical Gas Research found that hydrogen-rich water acted as a powerful antioxidant and could help lower oxidative stress in the body. The researchers commented that this approach could be therapeutic in a multitude of diseases such as those of infectious origin, where oxidative stress is a key factor.
Hydrogen and Inflammation: A 2020 study also published in Scientific Reports reported that hydrogen gas reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in animals with liver injuries. It also proposed that hydrogen might have broader anti-inflammatory effects that could potentially be useful to those with viral infections too, such as COVID-19.
Early Science on COVID-19: A trial in 2020 investigated whether hydrogen gas might be able to treat symptoms of COVID-19. Although results were encouraging and some patients reported less inflammation and better lung function, additional studies are required to confirm these findings and to understand how the therapy works.
While such studies are encouraging, it’s worth noting that further research (in the form of clinical trials with humans) is necessary to determine how, exactly, hydrogen water might be used to help in the fight against COVID-19, or other viral illnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can hydrogen water prevent COVID-19?
At the moment, there is no proof that hydrogen water can prevent a COVID-19 infection. But antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions could possibly help the immune system generally and provide the body with a better ability to combat viral infections.
How to Drink Hydrogen Water for Maximum Health Benefits?
Hydrogen water can be drunk in the same way as regular water, however, it must be consumed shortly after creating it or the hydrogen gas will evaporate into the air and the water will lose its effect. Millions of people imbibe hydrogen water daily, but as always, you should check with your healthcare provider before you begin to consume it routinely.
Can hydrogen water cure COVID-19?
No, “hydrogen” water is not a cure for COVID-19. It might have some promise in supporting immune health, abating inflammation, and enhancing white blood cells’ ninja moves, but this is not to be used as a cure. Never act against medical advice for the treatment of COVID-19.
What are the effects of drinking hydrogen water?
It is widely believed that hydrogen water is safe to drink; there have been no large reported side effects. That said, you’ll want to make sure that the hydrogen water you drink is from a reliable dispenser or bottle, as not all products may be tested to be safe.
Can hydrogen water be used in combination with other COVID-19 treatments?
If you are receiving treatment for COVID-19 or any other medical condition, it’s always essential to talk to your health care provider about any supplements or additional therapies. Hydrogen water may be a supplement to treatment, but it is not a replacement for medical care.
Conclusion
It is Interesting because they've found evidence that it might possibly be an antioxidant or anti inflammator Hydrogen water Research is fascinating. Although it is by no means certain that hydrogen water can prevent or cure COVID-19, it may support immune health and lower inflammation is reason enough to consider it as part of a healthy lifestyle. But it’s important to keep in mind that hydrogen water is not a substitute treatment for confirmed methods of treating COVID-19. THURSDAY, Feb. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The most important part of dealing with any health issue is, as always, communicating with health care providers.
Continued investigation on the influence of hydrogen water on viral infection (i.e., SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) provides promise for it to be incorporated into the future as a beneficial element in resistance to diseases and viruses. Until we have more definitive evidence, it is clear hydrogen water can be a supplement to other health practices to ensure an individual’s immune system remains robust.
References:
- Ohsawa, I., et al. (2007). "Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals." Nature Medicine, 13(6), 688–694.
- Ichihara, M., et al. (2015). "Beneficial biological effects and the underlying mechanisms of molecular hydrogen – comprehensive review of 321 original articles." Medical Gas Research, 5(1), 12.
- Guan, W., et al. (2020). "Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection by the National Health Commission (Trial version 7)." Chin Med J (Engl), 133(9), 1087–1095.
- Huang, C. S., et al. (2010). "Anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen-rich saline in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice." Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 393(3), 577–582.
- Yamaguchi, T., et al. (2012). "Consumption of hydrogen water reduces ROS production in blood." Medical Gas Research, 2(1), 12.
- Aoki, K., et al. (2012). "Pilot study: effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes." Medical Gas Research, 2(1), 12.
- Song, G., et al. (2013). "Hydrogen-rich water decreases serum LDL-cholesterol levels and improves HDL function in patients with potential metabolic syndrome." Journal of Lipid Research, 54(7), 1884–1893.
- Nicolson, G. L., et al. (2016). "Clinical effects of hydrogen administration: from animal and human diseases to exercise medicine." International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7, 32–76.
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