Hydrogen-Rich Water Decreases Muscle Damage and Improves Power Endurance in Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Ogannisyan M et al. · J Lifestyle Med. 2025;15(1):8–17.
Study at a glance
Human
Elite female handball and skeleton athletes
One H₂-generating tablet dissolved in 500 mL water and consumed within about 3 minutes, twice daily for 28 days · The paper reports an estimated total dose of about 8 mg H₂/day.
28 days, with an additional assessment 1 week after supplementation
The H₂-water group showed within-group reductions in body-fat percentage and creatine kinase and increases in muscle measures and maximal torque. Stress and recovery questionnaire scores did not significantly change. The report does not consistently establish that these changes were greater than placebo.
Small feasibility study with unequal groups, many outcomes and substantial reliance on within-group comparisons. Menstrual-cycle data were not collected. Two authors reported commercial molecular-hydrogen involvement; the active tablets were made by Natural Wellness Now.
What kind of evidence is this?
Human
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel trial
Exercise and recovery
H₂-rich water
Information not yet classified
Some editorial classification fields are still pending. The source-reported outcomes and result are shown below; Hydrogenology does not infer a positive or negative signal from prose automatically.
Methods
Elite female handball and skeleton athletes
22 participants: 10 assigned to H₂ water and 12 to placebo
28 days, with an additional assessment 1 week after supplementation
One H₂-generating tablet dissolved in 500 mL water and consumed within about 3 minutes, twice daily for 28 days
H₂ dissolved in water — H₂ only, not Brown’s gas.
The paper reports an estimated total dose of about 8 mg H₂/day.
Visually and organoleptically similar placebo tablets dissolved in the same water volume
Outcomes and reported result
Body composition, stress and recovery questionnaire, blood markers, inflammation, antioxidants and maximal/mean torque
The H₂-water group showed within-group reductions in body-fat percentage and creatine kinase and increases in muscle measures and maximal torque. Stress and recovery questionnaire scores did not significantly change. The report does not consistently establish that these changes were greater than placebo.
Methods, figures, disclosures and outcome reporting checked in the open-access full text; independent appraisal remains incomplete.
A reported association, difference or mechanism is not automatically a clinical benefit.
Limitations and applicability
Small feasibility study with unequal groups, many outcomes and substantial reliance on within-group comparisons. Menstrual-cycle data were not collected. Two authors reported commercial molecular-hydrogen involvement; the active tablets were made by Natural Wellness Now.
Elite female handball and skeleton athletes under the study conditions.
No single-study GRADE certainty rating is assigned. Read how records and evidence assessments are prepared.
Sources and record status
PMID: 40376695 · DOI: 10.15280/jlm.2025.15.1.8
Open-access full text is available through PMC.
Open-access PMC full text and PubMed bibliographic record.
10 August 2026
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