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Explore Medical Studies by Disease Model
Want to see what the research says? Browse peer-reviewed studies on molecular hydrogen, organized by health topic, from sources such as PubMed and Google Scholar.
Learn More About Enagic & Their Ionizers
Discover the Japanese company behind the medical-grade appliances we recommend, and explore their line of water ionizers designed to produce fresh molecular hydrogen water.
Geek Out On The Science
Ever wonder how ordinary tap water transforms into antioxidant-rich molecular hydrogen water? Here's the step-by-step science behind the process.
FAQs
Your Questions Answered: Everything About Molecular Hydrogen Water
Why start drinking 8.5 Molecular Hydrogen Water first?
While there are no known side effects to drinking molecular hydrogen water, it’s a very effective antioxidant that supports detoxification and flushing of your system. Depending on your current health, some people may notice mild detox symptoms as the molecular hydrogen does its work. For this reason, we recommend starting with 8.5 pH Molecular Hydrogen Water for a week or two before increasing to 9.0 or 9.5.
Can I take medication with Molecular Hydrogen Water?
No. Because molecular hydrogen can diffuse rapidly across cell membranes, it’s not recommended to take medication with it, as it may alter the rate of absorption. Medications should be taken with 7.0 pH clean water instead.
Can infants and children drink Molecular Hydrogen Water?
For children and seniors, setting a low pH to start and gradually increasing it is also recommended as the body adjusts to the pH level.
In the case of infants (until about a year old), since breast milk or milk is the only thing they consume, the intestinal movement is generally different from adults, and the use of Molecular Hydrogen Water is not encouraged until the infant begins to consume more sophisticated foods. As with medications (see above FAQ), Molecular Hydrogen Water should not be used to make powdered milk for infants.
Why can't I buy bottled Molecular Hydrogen Water?
Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a tiny gas molecule that gives this water its antioxidant properties. Once it’s dissolved, it starts dissipating almost immediately — slipping out through microscopic pores in most container materials. It doesn’t take visible leaks. It will also react with oxygen in the water or the air at the top of the bottle.
By the time bottled water reaches store shelves — usually weeks or months after it’s packaged — the H₂ (and therefore the antioxidant benefits) would be long gone. That’s why Molecular Hydrogen Water is best made fresh, ideally right before/same day you drink it.
How does an ionizer make Molecular Hydrogen Water & how is that different from bottled Alkaline Waters I see in stores?
An ionizer uses electrolysis — an electrical process — to split water into two streams: one rich in molecular hydrogen (H₂) and more alkaline, and another more acidic. The alkaline, hydrogen-rich water offers antioxidant properties thanks to dissolved H₂. Click here for a more detailed dive into the science of electrolysis.
Most bottled “alkaline waters” are made chemically, by adding ingredients like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise the pH. This changes the chemistry of the water, but it doesn’t create molecular hydrogen or improve the water’s oxidation-reduction potential (ORP).
Because it’s chemically altered, drinking large amounts of baking soda–based alkaline water over time can lead to excessive intake of those additives, which may have negative side effects. You can usually spot this by checking the ingredient list — if you see “sodium bicarbonate” or other additives, that’s how it was made.
Molecular Hydrogen Water or Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) from an ionizer is different: it’s produced fresh, without additives, and contains dissolved molecular hydrogen — the key element behind its antioxidant health benefits.
What ionizer do you use and recommend for making Molecular Hydrogen Water?
I personally use, recommend, and sell Enagic’s line of water ionizers. After doing my research, I found Enagic to be unmatched in both quality and credibility:
- Medical-grade appliance and recognized as a pre-approved medical device by Medicard in Canada.
- A Japanese company with over 50 years in business, holding multiple ISO certifications.
- Built with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts only for quality and longevity.
I use Enagic’s K8 model, which offers advanced filtration, eight platinum-dipped titanium plates, and multiple water settings — including hydrogen-rich drinking water, cleaning water, and emulsifying produce wash water.
Click to learn more about Enagic, their certifications, and the K8 ionizer here.