Hydrogen Water and Cancer: Exploring Scientific Findings
Living with cancer is a challenge like no other. But what if you could make small lifestyle changes to improve your quality of life and treatment efficacy?
While studies are still developing, early evidence suggests hydrogen-rich water may help reduce oxidative stress, ease side effects, and support well-being during treatment.
This article explores a special type of drinking water called hydrogen water and how it might help people with cancer. Read on to learn more about the health benefits of hydrogen water and cancer. Discover how hydrogen water works and why it can be a game-changer for cancer patients.
What Is Hydrogen Water and How Is It Made?
Hydrogen water (aka hydrogenated water or hydrogen-rich water) refers to regular water with molecular hydrogen gas (H2) added to it. Hydrogen is the lightest naturally occurring chemical element. In the air, it’s present in very small (less than one part per million) concentrations as an odorless, colorless, non-toxic gas.
In humans, an enzyme called hydrogenase, found in some intestinal bacteria, produces hydrogen. Hydrogen molecules form when these bacteria break down the food (especially carbs) you eat through a digestion process called anaerobic metabolism. These hydrogen molecules then enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body until the lungs finally exhale them.
Another source of hydrogen molecules is the water you drink. When broken down into atomic components, each water (H2O) molecule consists of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms. However, because the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are in bound form, they’re not easy to absorb from regular drinking water.
Modern technology has hit upon an effective solution. To make hydrogen more accessible for effective absorption by normal tissues, specially designed apparatuses can now infuse hydrogen gas into drinking water, resulting in the development of hydrogen water.
➤ Learn more about how hydrogen water works.
Scientific Research on Hydrogen Water and Cancer
A study from 1975 was the first to examine the potential anticancer therapeutic effects of hydrogen. This study of mice with squamous cell carcinoma (an extremely common type of malignant skin cancer) reported that cancer cell growth decreased when scientists treated the mice with hydrogen gas.
Since then, science has come a long way. Studies have researched the antitumor effects of hydrogen in many cancer types and various hydrogen therapy delivery modalities, like inhalation, hydrogen-containing saline injections, hydrogen-dissolved water baths, and hydrogenated drinking water.
Hydrogen-rich water, specifically, began to be studied in humans in 2008. Research shows hydrogen water benefits regular people, athletes, and those with challenging health conditions like metabolic syndrome and cancer. Currently, multiple preclinical and clinical studies strongly recommend the use of hydrogen in the treatment of cancer.
Key Studies on Hydrogen Water and Cancer
Hydrogen-enriched water has shown anticancer properties in multiple studies. It works hand-in-hand with anticancer drugs to decrease tumor size, fibrosis, and collagen content while amplifying the protective effects. Furthermore, its therapeutic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects enhance the anticancer activity of hydrogen.
Antioxidant Effects and Inflammation Reduction
Free oxygen radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) are unstable molecules that circulate in the bloodstream. The body generates them when we breathe in oxygen. They can promote inflammation and chronic disease development.
Oxidative stress is a major factor in aging, lifestyle-related diseases, and even cancer. Molecular hydrogen enters your blood and fights against these disease-causing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. Thus, it protects your normal cells and organs from oxidative stress and damage caused by these harmful molecules, which indicates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in cells in patients.
For example, hydrogen water reduces oxidative stress and improves cholesterol levels in people with metabolic syndrome.
In a study of athletes, drinking hydrogen-rich water before exercise improved muscle function and reduced fatigue by decreasing exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Potential Benefits of Hydrogen Water for Cancer Patients
Overall, hydrogen in water has shown great potential in supporting cancer treatment, minimizing treatment side effects, and improving quality of life during treatment and the general prognosis. Here are some studies that demonstrate these benefits in greater detail.
Alleviate Treatment Side Effects
In animal models, hydrogen water has shown promising benefits in ameliorating drug toxicity and side effects, boosting anticancer drug activity, and improving cancer survival rates. However, additional rigorous double-blinded clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings in humans.
In a study of mice with colon cancer, hydrogen water improved survival rates by supporting the destruction of cancer cells. It also boosted the therapeutic benefits of anticancer drugs like 5-fluorouracil by enhancing its inhibitory effects. These findings highlight the potential of hydrogen water for cancer treatment support, though more human trials are needed.
In another rat study of hydrogen water and cancer, hydrogen water improved side effects like kidney toxicity caused by an anticancer drug called cisplatin. This potent medication has shown several harmful side effects like oxidative stress, weight loss, and mortality. Consuming hydrogen water reduced them.
Additionally, hydrogen therapy was effective in protecting against drug toxicity without hampering the anticancer activity of the drug. In an in vitro and vivo study of the effects of hydrogen on lung cancer, hydrogen gas inhibited lung cancer progression. This suggests a potential new treatment for cancer.
Enhance Quality of Life
Hydrogen water may improve quality of life (QoL) by reducing the side effects of radiation therapy in cancer patients. In a study of 49 people with malignant liver cancer who drank 1,500–2,000 ml daily for six weeks, participants had improved QoL scores and decreased radiation-induced oxidative stress compared with placebo water. Importantly, these benefits came without compromising the antitumor effects of the therapy.
Thus, drinking hydrogen water every day could become a potentially unique therapeutic method for enhancing QoL after exposure to radiation during cancer treatment.
➤ Learn more about the more general benefits of hydrogen water.
Should You Try Hydrogen Water?
While research on hydrogen water for cancer is still in its early stages, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor benefits shown so far indicate a promising future for oncology.
If you’re interested in exploring hydrogen-rich water as part of a healthier lifestyle, PIURIFY offers accessible solutions with advanced filtration and hydrogen infusion technology.
The PIURIFY Water Hydrogenerator utilises rich hydrogen water generation capabilities, balanced pH levels, and advanced filtration technology to bring you the health benefits of hydrogen water. For hydrogen water on the go, you can check out our handy Hydrogen Water Bottle.
Take that next step towards a healthier lifestyle and consider integrating hydrogen water into your daily routine. Contact PIURIFY today for more information about our ingenious, safe, and effective products for all your hydrogen water needs.