Hydrogen water is regular water with hydrogen gas dissolved under pressure, similar to carbonation, but the gas escapes quickly. Packs of pre-bottled hydrogenated water sell for about $30, electrolysis bottles for $150 are available online, and hydrogen tablets can be bought at chemists starting at $17 for eight tablets. Some wellness centres also offer inhalation therapy, where patrons breathe hydrogen through a nasal cannula or sit in a hyperbaric chamber, claiming improved energy, cognitive clarity and reduced oxidative stress.
Professor Oliver Jones, an analytical chemist at RMIT University, said he has seen no compelling studies on hydrogen therapy. "I've seen a lot of bad ones though," Jones said. "You may as well just drink normal water." He noted that hydrogen is highly flammable and could displace oxygen in the lungs if inhaled in sufficient concentration, posing a risk of asphyxiation.
Accredited practising dietitian Danielle Shine agreed that existing research is insufficient. "To establish whether it has meaningful health benefits, we need well-designed human studies with enough participants and follow-up to assess relevant health outcomes," Shine said. She recommended that people focus on proven basics: staying physically active, not smoking, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol and keeping up with vaccinations rather than spending money on hydrogen products.
Both experts cautioned against health advice promoted on social media by influencers, pointing to reliance on personal stories and scientific-sounding terminology without strong evidence from human studies.