Electrolyzed–Reduced Water: Review II: Safety Concerns and Effectiveness as a Source of Hydrogen Water

Abstract

Many studies demonstrate the safety of alkaline-electrolyzed–reduced water (ERW); however, several animal studies have reported significant tissue damage and hyperkalemia after drinking ERW. The mechanism responsible for these results remains unknown but may be due to electrode degradation associated with the production of higher pH, in which platinum nanoparticles and other metals that have harmful effects may leach into the water. Clinical studies have reported that, when ERW exceeds pH 9.8, some people develop dangerous hyperkalemia. Accordingly, regulations on ERW mandate that the pH of ERW should not exceed 9.8. It is recommended that those with impaired kidney function refrain from using ERW without medical supervision. Other potential safety concerns include impaired growth, reduced mineral, vitamin, and nutrient absorption, harmful bacterial overgrowth, and damage to the mucosal lining causing excessive thirst. Since the concentration of H2 in ERW may be well below therapeutic levels, users are encouraged to frequently measure the H2 concentration with accurate methods, avoiding ORP or ORP-based H2 meters. Importantly, although, there have been many people that have used high-pH ERW without any issues, additional safety research on ERW is warranted, and ERW users should follow recommendations to not ingest ERW above 9.8 pH.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) – therapeutic properties for the skin and methods of application

“…Niewielki rozmiar molekularny pozwala przenikać mu przez ba-riery biologiczne, co czyni go silnym przeciwutleniaczem zdolnym do neutralizacji reaktywnych form tlenu (RFT, ROS, reactive oxygen species). Ponieważ stres oksydacyjny wywołany przez RFT odgrywa istotną rolę w starzeniu skóry oraz różnych jej schorzeniach, zastosowanie molekularnego wodoru w kosmetologii i zabiegach terapeutycznych zyskuje uznanie [1,2].…”

“…Podniesione pH ERW w określonych warunkach może również prowadzić do negatywnych skutków u osób bardziej podatnych na jego wpływ. Osobom korzystającym z ERW zaleca się powstrzymanie się od jej spożywania, gdy pH przekracza 9,8 -zgodnie z wytycznymi przedstawionymi w zapewnieniach firm i regulacjach rządowych [2]. Najnowsze technologie, wyniki wieloletnich badań i działalność firm związanych z jonizacją wody, wprowadziły na rynek urządzenia zdolne do produkcji wody z wodorem molekularnym wykorzystujące generatory wody wodorowej [20].…”

Mast Cells as a Potential Target of Molecular Hydrogen in Regulating the Local Tissue Microenvironment

“…The cellular bioavailability of H 2 is extremely high due to its unique physicochemical properties. Its small size, low mass, neutral charge, and nonpolar nature, combined with a high diffusion rate, allow it to freely penetrate cell membranes and diffuse into mitochondria and the nucleus [ 38 , 39 , 45 ]. The therapeutic and prophylactic effects of H 2 on various organs have been demonstrated.…”

“…Therefore, it is of interest to search for new molecular agents that can use MC properties to manipulate local inflammation—one of these agents, H 2 , is of special significance. Mechanisms underlying the biological effects of H 2 , including anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, neuroprotective, radioprotective, adaptive, homeostatic, etc., have been elucidated, but insufficiently [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

The Effect of Electrolyzed Hydrogen-Rich Alkaline Reduced Water on Patients with Chronic Constipation—A Clinical Trial

“…The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety guidelines categorize ARW as functional water from a pH of 8.6 to 10.0. Additionally, the ARW generator was authorized as a grade II home medical device, and the Korean and Japanese regulations mandate that alkaline water ionizer pH should not exceed pH 9.8 for drinking [28,29,32,33]. Furthermore, EARW (pH 9.5) has been shown to reduce the symptoms of GI disorders, including indigestion, diarrhea, and dyspepsia [25,34].…”