What are the Side Effects of Drinking Hydrogen Water?

Whenever you try a new health supplement or product, you need to be aware of the possible side effects. And while hydrogen water is… water, it’s enhanced and contains more hydrogen than your body is probably accustomed to.

Hydrogen water is regular water that has been infused with hydrogen gas. Hydrogen is critical for the function of the body, and your body naturally produces its own hydrogen in the intestinal tract during digestion. While the added hydrogen offers many health benefits, drinkers still need to be aware of possible negative side effects.

Possible Negative Side Effects of Hydrogen Water

Headaches & Dizziness

As of now, there is a lack of research directly linking hydrogen water to headaches and dizziness. That means scientists haven’t been able to definitively prove that drinking hydrogen water causes these symptoms.

The thing is, people react differently to different substances. Headaches and dizziness can have many different causes, and it’s possible that other factors are at play for some people who experience these symptoms after drinking hydrogen water.

Here are some other common potential causes of headaches and dizziness that you may want to consider:

• Dehydration: Make sure you’re getting enough fluids throughout the day, regardless of whether you’re drinking hydrogen water.

• Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can cause headaches and dizziness. If you're experiencing these symptoms frequently, it's important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying issues.

• Other Dietary Changes: If you recently started drinking hydrogen water alongside other dietary changes, it's possible you've consumed something else that might be causing the headaches and dizziness.

 
Bloating & Diarrhea

There is a possibility that bloating and diarrhea may be a short-term side effect of drinking hydrogen water, but again, there isn’t any definitive research showing a connection between these symptoms and hydrogen water. In fact, most people don’t experience these side effects at all.

But here are some possible explanations for why some people might experience bloating and diarrhea:

• Change in Gut Microbiome: Hydrogen gas is a natural byproduct of gut bacteria breaking down certain carbohydrates. Put simply, your body is supposed to produce hydrogen gas during digestion. When you introduce hydrogen-rich water, it might temporarily disrupt the delicate balance of your gut microbiome. This can lead to increased gas production, bloating, and potentially looser stools.

• Osmotic Effect: High concentrations of hydrogen in water can create an osmotic effect. This means it draws water into your intestines, similar to how eating a lot of fiber does. This influx of water can lead to looser stools and potential feelings of bloating.
  
  

The best way to avoid these side effects is to start slowly. Don’t drink three bottles of hydrogen water your first day—your body won’t have enough time to adjust. Instead, start by drinking one bottle of hydrogen water a day and slowly increase your consumption until you feel you’ve reached the ideal amount.

Overall Harm

If you’re looking for a juicy revelation about the dangers of hydrogen water, you won’t find it here. Here’s the thing: hydrogen water is considered safe. It has an FDA GRAS designation (Generally Recognized as Safe). This designation is applied to certain substances added to food that have widely available scientific data demonstrating its safety for its intended use. In some cases, a long history of safe consumption can also be a factor when administering this designation.

Positive Side Effects of Hydrogen Water

When we talk about side effects, we usually refer to only negative side effects. But positive results are side effects too! So, let’s talk about some of the possible positive side effects of drinking hydrogen water.

Improve Gut Health

By drinking water with additional hydrogen in it, we are feeding good gut bacteria and changing the flora of our gut. During digestion and other gut processes, some molecules can become unstable. These unstable molecules, often called free radicals, have an unpaired electron in their outer shell. Hydrogen water is hydrogen rich, which means it can act as an antioxidant and donate a stable electron to a free radical, preventing them from causing harm.

Strengthened Immune System

The immune system and gut health are like two sides of the same coin, intricately linked and working together to keep us healthy. In fact, 70% of our immune system can be attributed to the health of our gut. So, as you provide your body with additional antioxidants through hydrogen water, you can improve your gut biome, restore good gut bacteria, and effectively bolster your immune system.

Reduced Inflammation

Just as your gut health and immune system are inseparably connected, inflammation is also affected by your gut biome. Beneficial bacteria in your gut helps regulate the immune system’s inflammatory response, preventing excessive inflammation that can damage tissue. As you drink hydrogen water to improve your gut biome, you can simultaneously reduce inflammation.

Some research also suggests hydrogen activates certain signaling pathways in the body that can influence the production of inflammatory molecules. By activating these pathways, hydrogen water can help regulate the inflammatory response.

Increased Energy

One of the most common “side effects” reported from hydrogen-water drinkers is an increase in energy. Fatigue can be caused by various factors, including oxidative stress and inflammation. So, hydrogen water's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can help to reduce fatigue and increase energy levels.

Of course, hydrogen water has side effects—everything does! But let’s not forget that side effects can also be positive. So, as you consider the possible negative side effects of drinking hydrogen, remember you can avoid any negative side effects by starting slowly and gradually increasing your intake of hydrogen water. And as you incorporate hydrogen water into your everyday routine, you can enjoy a healthier gut, strengthened immune system, reduced inflammation, and increased energy. If you’re ready to try hydrogen water for yourself, check out Echo’s hydrogen water bottle and other hydrogen water products.