What Are the Side Effects of Hydrogen Water? | OG Hydr8
One of the most common questions we receive about hydrogen water is whether it has any side effects. Understanding the safety profile of hydrogen water is critical for anyone considering it as part of a wellness routine. In this article, we explore current research, reported adverse events, and the overall safety of molecular hydrogen, specifically through OG Hydr8 hydrogen water tablets.
Reported Side Effects of Hydrogen Water
When reviewing studies up to March 2019, 79 human publications involved a total of 1,676 participants using molecular hydrogen therapy. Since then, additional clinical trials have been published with no new adverse events reported. In total, nine potential adverse events were documented across seven participants, with loose stool or diarrhea being the most commonly reported (0.2% incidence). Another reported gastrointestinal issue was an increased frequency of bowel movements, though most were observed in a single small trial of 20 participants using magnesium rods. Importantly, these effects are likely related to magnesium rather than the hydrogen itself.
Increased endogenous hydrogen gas production has been linked to irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance. For example, lactose that reaches the small intestine is fermented by gut bacteria, producing excess hydrogen gas and causing discomfort, diarrhea, and bloating. Understanding how individual hydrogen production interacts with hydrogen water supplementation may help explain why some users respond differently, which is common across most therapeutic interventions.
Rare Reports of Other Effects
- Hypoglycemia: One case in a diabetic patient resolved by adjusting insulin levels. This aligns with research showing that hydrogen therapy can improve insulin sensitivity, including OG Hydr8 hydrogen tablets, which have demonstrated benefits in participants with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome.
- Heartburn: A single report noted heartburn, though this is unlikely caused by hydrogen water. Clinical trials in GERD patients (84 participants over 3 months) showed improvement in symptoms, not adverse events.
- Cardiac events: A single report of cardiac failure occurred in a study using intravenous hydrogen therapy in hospitalized stroke patients. Given the high baseline risk of cardiac events in this population, hydrogen therapy cannot be implicated.
- Headache: Rare anecdotal reports exist (approximately 10 out of hundreds of thousands of bottles sold), often in new users on their first consumption. Symptoms typically resolved after repeated use, suggesting an adjustment period rather than a harmful effect.
Overall, the reported side effects of hydrogen water are extremely rare, mild, and often transient.
Safety Profile of Molecular Hydrogen
Molecular hydrogen is remarkably safe:
- Deep-sea diving studies: Hydrogen gas is used in mixed-gas diving because it is far less narcotic than nitrogen or helium. Even at high pressures, the risk of hydrogen narcosis is extremely low, and no long-term toxicity has been reported (source, source).
- Daily production in humans: Individuals naturally produce up to 12 liters of hydrogen gas per day through gut bacterial fermentation (source). The supplemental amounts from OG Hydr8 hydrogen tablets are small in comparison and highly safe.
No known contraindications exist for hydrogen water with medications or specific disease models, though larger trials are needed for confirmation.
Considerations
While molecular hydrogen itself is extremely safe, other ingredients in hydrogen water formulations should be monitored:
- Magnesium: A critical mineral for over 300 enzymatic reactions, but excessive intake can have minor side effects (source).
- Additives like aluminum: Known neurotoxins should be avoided, especially in older populations (source).
Overall, OG Hydr8 hydrogen water tablets provide a high safety profile while delivering therapeutic benefits, including antioxidant support, improved metabolic health, and enhanced brain and cardiovascular function.
Conclusion
Current research and anecdotal evidence suggest that molecular hydrogen is safe for nearly all individuals, with side effects being extremely rare, mild, and temporary. While more extensive trials are encouraged, OG Hydr8 hydrogen water is a reliable and well-tolerated method of hydrogen supplementation. Users can enjoy the potential health benefits of hydrogen water with confidence.
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