# Oral Administration of Hydrogen-rich Water: Biomedical Activities, Potential Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications.
> 水素水の経口摂取：生物医学的効果・作用機序・臨床応用に関するレビュー


## Abstract

This review consolidates findings from basic science and clinical studies on the oral consumption of hydrogen-rich water (HRW). Documented biological activities include attenuation of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory responses, modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, preservation of mitochondrial function, and regulation of apoptotic pathways. Several mechanistic hypotheses have been proposed: direct neutralization of harmful free radicals, the Fe-porphyrin biosensor model, modulation of biological enzymes, lipoprotein-mediated regulation, and effects on the intestinal barrier. Clinically, HRW has been explored as an adjunct intervention, for disease prevention, and for quality-of-life enhancement. The authors conclude that larger-scale, well-designed clinical trials are necessary to substantiate these findings and expand practical applications.

### Mechanism

H2 is proposed to act via direct scavenging of toxic free radicals, an Fe-porphyrin biosensor mechanism, modulation of biological enzymes, lipoprotein-mediated pathways, and effects on the intestinal barrier, collectively reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Meng F, Liu Z, Qin S, Liu B
- **Journal**: Curr Pharm Des
- **Year**: 2025
- **PMID**: [39810534](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39810534/)
- **DOI**: [10.2174/0113816128330516241121150719](https://doi.org/10.2174/0113816128330516241121150719)
- **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 39810534. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/39810534
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [39810534](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39810534/)