# Electrolyzed-Reduced Water: Review I. Molecular Hydrogen Is the Exclusive Agent Responsible for the Therapeutic Effects.
> 電解還元水の生物学的効果：分子状水素が唯一の有効成分であることの科学的検証


## Abstract

Electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW) has long been associated with a range of proposed mechanisms—including negative oxidation-reduction potential, alkaline pH, altered water structure, microclusters, and free electrons—many of which lack scientific support. This review traces the historical development of ERW research and systematically examines how each proposed mechanism was investigated and ultimately refuted through accumulated in vitro and in vivo evidence. The analysis concludes that molecular hydrogen (H2) is the sole agent responsible for both the negative ORP and the observed biological effects of ERW. All documented effects can be accounted for by established H2 biology and conventional chemistry, without invoking speculative constructs such as microclustering or the notion that alkaline water neutralizes acidic metabolic waste. The authors emphasize that H2 concentration in ERW should be quantitatively measured to allow meaningful comparison with concentrations employed in clinical investigations.

### Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen (H2) dissolved in ERW is solely responsible for its biological activity and negative oxidation-reduction potential. Properties such as alkaline pH, altered water structure, and microclusters were experimentally shown to contribute no independent biological effect.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: LeBaron TW, Sharpe R, Ohno K
- **Journal**: Int J Mol Sci
- **Year**: 2022 (2022-11-25)
- **PMID**: [36499079](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36499079/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/ijms232314750](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232314750)
- **PMC**: [PMC9738607](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9738607/)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 36499079. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/36499079
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [36499079](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36499079/)