Hydrogen Water: Why Not Make a Change?

 

Since you are reading this post, it is probably safe to assume you are someone deeply involved in the world of physical exercise and you are looking at the best and latest ways to improve your peak performance, aid your recovery and make post-workout soreness a bit more manageable. Is hydrogen water a cure to the most pressing issues that surround high-intensity physical exercise? No. But there are specific situations in which it can be helpful and reduce your body’s stress after engaging in endurance or high-volume physical work.

Electrolytes and proper nutrition matter a bit more than hydrogen-infused water. However, there are studies out there that showcase the effect of hydrogen water as a natural antioxidant that can improve the body’s recovery markers. While not characterised by a dramatic effect, for some people, hydrogen-infused water can reduce muscle fatigue, and also help with that brain fog effect we all feel from time to time when dealing with accumulated stress. Now, the effects are more subtle than what you can expect from supplementation with vitamins and electrolytes drinks. But they are present.

What Even Is Hydrogen Water?

To put it simply, even the best hydrogen water commercialised on the market is, in the end, just plain H2O, that’s enriched with molecular hydrogen gas. The main belief behind it is that hydrogen can act as an antioxidant and thus neutralise free radicals, like oxidative compounds, that can eventually lead to cellular damage.

Is it true? Does it work? Well, the results are a bit mixed, but apparently, there is a genuine positive effect. Hydrogen-infused water can, apparently, reduce inflammation markers and also contribute to increased recovery times after intense exercise. In fact, this last point is the main reason why H2-infused water is now a growing trend in the athletic community.

It’s not a hoax, as there are some real, tangible studies out there that showcase the benefits of hydrogen as an antioxidant. Now, is the next best thing in bio hacking? Could it significantly improve your peak performance? Maybe not. But it does help, and more importantly, it’s not harmful.

Is It Really Safe?

Yes, there is nothing particular about hydrogen-infused water that can make it harmful to us. In the end, we are talking about regular water and dissolved H2 gas. Hydrogen is already present in the human body, and at the levels found in these types of drinks, it is pretty much non-toxic to us. Your body cannot synthesise it at once anyway, and even if it does, somehow, end up in your bloodstream, most excess hydrogen is eventually released via breathing.

Experts don’t believe there is a tangible risk in drinking hydrogen water. In fact, no study so far has found a link between hydrogen-infused water and increased risks for certain diseases. It’s pretty much just water with H2 gas dissolved in it. There is some evidence that says it can indeed help with cell oxidation, but the effect is not substantial, and it certainly is not impactful enough to worry about potential long-term consequences. So, yes. Hydrogen-rich water is as safe as it comes.

Why Invest in Electrolytes Drinks?

Hydrogen-infused water has its benefits and it can be helpful in certain situations. That said, if you want a substantial boost to your well-being, and you are the type of person who is prone to dehydration and substantial electrolyte loss, investing in electrolyte supplements, in your case, should make a huge difference. Electrolyte-rich drinks are, for some people, in a whole different ballpark compared to hydrogen-rich water.

Australia is an exceptionally hot country, and most of us are forced to work outside, which only accentuates our bodies' need for electrically-charged minerals. Electrolytes are involved in pretty much all of our internal processes, from controlling muscle contractions to dictating the level of fluids present inside our cell walls. There won’t be you without electrolytes, and, unfortunately, your body, while amazing, is often forced to let them go in order to support your sweating system.

Electrolytes drinks are not magic, but in some instances, they actually come surprisingly close. Do you want to quench your growing thirst, and plain water doesn’t do the trick? Then, you should try electrolytes. Drinking only water can further dilute your body’s sodium levels, and also not act on the gut co-transporters with a direct role in cell hydration. Electrolyte-rich drinks are simply better at making you absorb fluids. Thus, they are necessary for instances of high-intensity training that culminate in sweating.

What Are the Effects of Electrolytes Drinks?

It really depends, as our bodies’ baseline electrolyte levels differ from person to person. I, for instance, always had a slight calcium deficiency even though I drink milk in industrial quantities. Went to the doctor and all; apparently, I am just an anomaly. My girlfriend on the other hand has an issue with her magnesium levels, and she needs to constantly keep on top of it with the help of supplements. We are all a bit different when it comes to this stuff, and thus, it’s very possible that electrolytes drinks will impact us in ways we don’t expect.

As an example, in my case, electrolytes drinks make me a bit more alert, eliminate the constant brain fog I feel after intensive exercise, and also make it easier to restart my training, without dealing with excessive soreness. My gym friend, however, experiences other benefits. In his case, electrolyte-rich drinks are the only way to stop excessive thirst after exercise, and they also give him a boost to peak physical performance.

My girlfriend though, mainly uses them to reduce fatigue and light-headedness after Pilates. But we all have something in common. Even though it works differently for all of us, electrolytes really help us, and we can’t think of continuing our gym-focused journey without them. Efficient, widely available, and affordable, electrolyte-rich drinks are now ubiquitous with gym work, and they have become routine for the vast majority of us.