# Hydrogen-Rich Water Decreases Muscle Damage and Improves Power Endurance in Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
> 水素水摂取がエリートアスリートの筋損傷軽減とパワー持久力向上に与える影響：無作為化二重盲検プラセボ対照試験


## Abstract

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 22 female elite athletes from handball and skeleton disciplines to evaluate hydrogen-rich water (HRW) generated via effervescent tablets. Compared with placebo, HRW consumption was associated with significant increases in muscle mass and decreases in fat mass (p < 0.05). Maximal torque improved notably following an intensive exercise protocol (p < 0.05). Biochemical analyses revealed reductions in total creatine kinase, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, alongside elevated vitamin E and interleukin-10 levels relative to baseline (p < 0.05), suggesting modulation of exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammatory responses. Stress and recovery scores assessed by the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire-Sport did not differ significantly between groups. The tablets were well-tolerated throughout the study period, and no adverse events were reported.

### Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen is proposed to selectively scavenge exercise-induced reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing creatine kinase release as a marker of muscle damage and upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10, collectively modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Ogannisyan M, Slivin A, LeBaron TW, Tarnava A, Karmazin V, Bazanovich S, et al.
- **Journal**: J Lifestyle Med
- **Year**: 2025 (2025-02-28)
- **PMID**: [40376695](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40376695/)
- **DOI**: [10.15280/jlm.2025.15.1.8](https://doi.org/10.15280/jlm.2025.15.1.8)
- **PMC**: [PMC12076047](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12076047/)
- **Study type**: human randomized controlled trial
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## 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 40376695. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/40376695
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [40376695](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40376695/)