Molecular hydrogen affects body composition, metabolic profiles, and mitochondrial function in middle-aged overweight women.

Abstract

A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot trial enrolled ten middle-aged overweight women to assess oral hydrogen supplementation via hydrogen-generating mineral caplets delivering approximately 6 ppm H2 per day over 4 weeks. Body fat percentage declined by 3.2% in the H2 group versus 0.9% in the placebo group (P=0.05), and the arm fat index fell by 9.7% versus 6.0% (P=0.01). Serum triglycerides decreased by 21.3% with H2 compared to 6.5% with placebo (P=0.04), while other lipid parameters remained unchanged. Fasting insulin levels dropped 5.4% following H2 administration, whereas placebo was associated with a 29.3% increase (P=0.01). Body weight, BMI, and circumference measurements showed no significant between-group differences. These findings suggest that orally delivered hydrogen may favorably influence fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals.

Mechanism

Orally administered hydrogen-generating minerals appear to modulate lipid metabolism and insulin signaling, resulting in reductions in body fat percentage, serum triglycerides, and fasting insulin levels, potentially through mitochondrial function improvement.