oxidative stress

899 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with oxidative stress?

A: Of 899 peer-reviewed papers, 626 reported a positive effect (the most common), 69 limited/mixed, 11 negative, 191 not assessed. Study mix: 144 human (78 RCT), 519 animal/basic, 176 meta-analysis or synthesis. The most studied delivery route is hydrogen-rich water. The above aggregates published research and does not constitute a clinically established conclusion. See the individual paper pages for details and Safety notes for inhalation safety. (last updated 2026-05-15)

Evidence breakdown
Human	144	of which RCT	78
Animal/basic	519	Synthesis/meta	176
Reported effect	positive 626 ・ limited/mixed 69 ・ negative 11 ・ not assessed 191

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

hydrogen-rich water: 313 inhalation: 153 mixed routes: 150 in vitro: 103 injection / infusion: 72 not specified: 66 topical application: 19 animal model: 15 hydrogen bath: 8

Molecular hydrogen mitigates acetaminophen-induced liver injury and enhances the effects of N-acetylcysteine in diabetic mice.
2026 ・ J Nutr Biochem ・ PMID 41207540

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Hydrogen-rich water alleviates neuropathic pain through the modulation of bile acid/Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5-mediated autophagy.
2026 ・ Pain ・ PMID 41143867

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen and kidney diseases: a scoping review based on scientometry and data analytics.
2026 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 40826940

mixed routes positive review
Mechanism by which hydrogen-rich water mitigates exercise-induced fatigue: activation of the immunoresponsive gene 1-itaconate/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway.
2026 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 40580185

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Hydrogen-rich water attenuates radiation-induced oral mucositis in mice via antioxidant and gut microbiota-stabilizing effects: a longitudinal study.
2025 ・ Gut Microbes Rep ・ PMID 41909889

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Hydrogen-Rich Water Potentiates Cannabinoid- and Gabapentinoid-Induced Analgesia in Neuropathic Pain.
2025 ・ Int J Mol Sci ・ PMID 41465581

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Application of Molecular Hydrogen in Early Heart Failure Development: Modulation of Microcirculation, Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Myocardial Status.
2025 ・ Antioxidants (Basel) ・ PMID 41462618

inhalation positive animal study
Molecular Hydrogen Affords Similar Neuroprotection to Therapeutic Hypothermia in a Porcine Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.
2025 ・ Antioxidants (Basel) ・ PMID 41462605

inhalation positive animal study
Hydrogen rescues vascular endothelial cells in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome by modulating nitric oxide.
2025 ・ J Thorac Dis ・ PMID 41376930

mixed routes positive animal study
Four-dimensional data independent acquisition proteomics and metabolomics reveal mechanisms of hydrogen-rich water at Zusanli (ST36) point against triple-negative breast cancer in mice.
2025 ・ J Tradit Chin Med ・ PMID 41376217

injection / infusion positive animal study
Exploring the Potential of Molecular Hydrogen in Different Heart Failure Models: A Review.
2025 ・ Int J Mol Sci ・ PMID 41373725

mixed routes not assessed review
Does Hydrogen-Rich Water Reduce Oxidative Stress in Patients with Chronic Mountain Sickness? A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Trial.
2025 ・ High Alt Med Biol ・ PMID 41371770

hydrogen-rich water mixed human randomized controlled trial
Molecular hydrogen-mediated SIRT1 activation alleviates sepsis-associated encephalopathy by promoting mitophagy.
2025 ・ Eur J Med Res ・ PMID 41351127

inhalation positive animal study
The Rieske iron-sulfur protein is a primary target of molecular hydrogen.
2025 ・ Redox Biol ・ PMID 41330217

mixed routes positive in vitro study
Efficacy of different nasal irrigation treatments versus placebo in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
2025 ・ Front Pharmacol ・ PMID 41293244

topical application mixed meta-analysis
Innovations in peritoneal dialysis fluid: biocompatible formulations and expanded therapeutic applications.
2025 ・ Ren Fail ・ PMID 41285129

not specified not assessed review
Modulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity and Enhancing Cortical Synaptic Plasticity: Nanoparticulate Hydrogen's Role in Relief of Post-traumatic Anxiety-like Behaviors in Rats.
2025 ・ Mol Neurobiol ・ PMID 41261203

injection / infusion positive animal study
Synergistic alleviation effects of salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and hydrogen-rich water on salt stress in.
2025 ・ Front Plant Sci ・ PMID 41234312

hydrogen-rich water positive other
Hydrogen-rich water irrigation enhances fruit quality in 'Flame Seedless' grapes by regulating chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and antioxidant activities.
2025 ・ Front Plant Sci ・ PMID 41230230

hydrogen-rich water positive other
Superoxide- and semiquinone-linked activation of molecular hydrogen in metal-catalyst-free solution.
2025 ・ Front Mol Biosci ・ PMID 41195421

in vitro positive in vitro study
Molecular mechanisms associated with effects of hydrogen molecule in liver diseases: the review of current evidence.
2025 ・ Eur J Med Res ・ PMID 41194243

mixed routes not assessed review
A Case Report of Adjuvant Molecular Hydrogen Therapy in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis With Atlantoaxial Subluxation.
2025 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41167690

not specified mixed human case report
Dynamic Immunomodulation by Hydrogen Capsule Therapy in SLE-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report.
2025 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41167678

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Molecular hydrogen-rhodiola as an adjuvant therapy for ischemic stroke in internal carotid artery occlusion: A case report.
2025 ・ Open Med (Wars) ・ PMID 41141928

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Silicon Nanostructures for Hydrogen Generation and Storage.
2025 ・ Nanomaterials (Basel) ・ PMID 41090875

not specified not assessed review