Hydrogen vs Alkaline Water: The Difference & Which is Better?
In the world of health and wellness, different types of water are popping up as part of optimized hydration strategies. Beyond regular tap water, new types like hydrogen water and alkaline water have become ultra-popular in the last few years. As people are looking for beverages that offer unique nutritional benefits, these special kinds of H2O are getting a lot of attention.
While some enhanced water products are hyped and misunderstood, hydrogen water and alkaline water do seem to have real, scientifically backed benefits beyond plain water’s basic hydration benefits. In this post, I want to focus on the difference between hydrogen water and alkaline ionized water. By understanding the key differences and what the science says about them, you can make an informed decision on which one (if not both or neither) may best support your hydration and health goals.
Let’s get into it!
Hydrogen vs Alkaline Water: A Comphrensive Guide
To make an informed decision between hydrogen water and alkaline water, you need to understand the key differences between these two types of enhanced hydration. Knowing what each is will show you their different benefits and applications. Only with clear understanding of their unique properties, production method, proposed effect on the human body, and documented support can you decide which special water is best for your health and lifestyle.
This post will give you the details, at a scientific level. By the end, you’ll be able to decide if hydrogen water or alkaline water is more beneficial for you.
What is Hydrogen Water?
Hydrogen water, also known as hydrogen rich water, is water that has been enhanced through methods like electrolysis to have higher molecular hydrogen, or H2, than regular drinking water sources have. The molecular hydrogen gas is dissolved into the water, usually through controlled bubbling in a process that infuses each molecule. This gives hydrogen water unique properties not found in regular tap water because of the extra hydrogen molecules.
How Does Hydrogen Water Work?
The molecular hydrogen in hydrogen water allows for certain effects due to its small size and properties. As the smallest molecule in science, the inclusion of hydrogen has the potential to give unique benefits. When consumed, the molecular hydrogen in hydrogen water is believed to interact with the human body in specific ways.
As an antioxidant booster, molecular hydrogen is thought to help the body in neutralizing harmful free radicals before they can harm cells. Research shows hydrogen selectively interacts with bad reactive oxygen species without disrupting critical cellular signaling pathways. This supportive antioxidant activity gives hydrogen water an edge over regular water for overall cellular health.
Because of its small size, molecular hydrogen can also penetrate tissues all over the body when included in hydration. Studies show hydrogen can even pass the blood brain barrier, for potential neurological effects. This cellular access is a mode of action not found in regular water. Hydrogen’s penetration can give localized effects in different parts of the body.
More research links molecular hydrogen to regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and resolving inflammation. Consuming hydrogen is also believed to help the body maintain a lower internal environment with lower levels of oxidative stress. These are the proposed mechanisms of how added hydrogen may translate to user benefits over plain water.
What Are The Benefits Of Hydrogen Water?
Boosted Natural Antioxidants
Instead of directly acting as an antioxidant itself, hydrogen boosts our body’s natural antioxidants by transiently raising helpful reactive oxygen species. This triggers the Nrf2 protein pathway to increase expression of genes regulating glutathione, catalase, SOD and other endogenous antioxidants involved in protecting cells. Hydrogen promotes redox homeostasis, maintaining the balance between antioxidants and beneficial cellular stressors like nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide.
Reduced Inflammation
Research shows molecular hydrogen has anti-inflammatory properties. It regulates pathways involved in inflammation and cytokine signaling. Hydrogen water may benefit conditions caused by chronic inflammation like arthritis, IBD, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Acute inflammation is also important for injury and illness response and hydrogen helps maintain balance.
Energy
The support of hydrogen water in boosting the body’s natural antioxidants is believed to benefit mitochondrial health and function over time. As these cellular powerhouses produce energy, protecting them from oxidative damage helps optimize energy production. Reported effects include increased endurance, faster post-workout recovery, and higher energy throughout the day. These effects may be from hydrogen’s protection of mitochondria.
Brain and Cognition
Since hydrogen molecules can pass the blood brain barrier, some research shows consuming hydrogen water may benefit brain health and cognition. Studies link it to protecting neurons from oxidative damage, potentially slowing down degenerative conditions. Reports also show it may improve mood, focus and memory when taken regularly through antioxidant support of the brain.
Detoxification
Oxidative stress leads to accumulation of toxins in the body over time. Molecular hydrogen is believed to help the body’s natural detox processes by neutralizing free radicals that would combine with metals and pollutants. This antioxidant support may help optimal liver function and remove toxins from tissues. Some studies show regular hydrogen water intake to lower toxic metal readings and excretion of waste compounds.
For more information on the benefits and side effects of hydrogen water, read my post on hydrogen water side effects.
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is water that has been treated to increase its pH level above most tap and bottled water sources, making it more alkaline or basic. Regular water has a neutral pH of around 7, while alkaline water has a higher pH of 8-10. It is made through processes like electrolysis that introduces beneficial minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium that ionize and buffer the water to a higher pH level.
This is done at home through an alkaline water ionizer or machine. Ionizers use electrolysis to split water into alkaline and acidic streams. While the acidic stream can be discarded, the alkaline stream has added minerals that raise its pH. Popular home devices for generating ionized alkaline water are the Tyent machines, but there are also other opinions in the market with limited benefits.
The pH and minerals make ionized alkaline water different from regular water. Its proponents claim these properties will have unique effects when consumed as a hydration source regularly. The following sections will discuss the mechanisms and benefits of drinking alkaline ionized water vs plain water.
How Does Alkaline Water Work?
When consumed, alkaline water can have specific effects related to its properties. Chief among these is its ability to balance the body’s fluids and tissues pH. Modern diet puts us in an acidic pH state, and some research links this to health problems. Alkaline water with its pH buffering minerals can counteract this effect.
Specifically, the ionized minerals introduced through electrolysis are absorbed systemically. Studies show they can bind and transport out of the body metabolic acids and other compounds that can contribute to low pH. By alkalizing and removing acid waste, alkaline water supports homeostasis and cellular processes that require optimal pH.
More benefits may come from the direct delivery of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium into fluid compartments and cellular locations where they work. Furthermore, some proponents claim these optimized micronutrient levels have advantages over plain water with no such added function. Additionally, these minerals can enhance hydration and improve overall health by supporting essential bodily functions.
Alkaline water, with its high pH and added minerals, is often considered better tolerated than regular water. Its alkalizing effect is believed to contribute to overall wellness by helping maintain a balanced body. To know more on the effects of alkaline water on the body, read my post on the effects of drinking alkaline water everyday.
What Are The Benefits Of Alkaline Water?
pH Balance
As a more alkaline hydration source, ionized alkaline water can balance an acidic inner terrain. Its pH buffering minerals can support fluid compartments and tissues pH homeostasis, which affects many biochemical processes in the body.
Hydration
Direct delivery of critical minerals supports optimal cellular hydration. Magnesium and calcium can penetrate and hydrate tissues better than plain water. Some claim alkaline mineral water can hydrate the cells more.
Detoxification
The alkalizing effect of mineral-rich alkaline water enables the kidneys, liver, and other organs to more efficiently remove metabolic waste and toxins through urine. Moreover, its bicarbonate buffering can remove acids from pollution, infections, and an unhealthy diet. This enhanced detoxification process supports overall health and well-being.
Bone and Muscle
Studies show alkaline water’s array of bone beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium support musculoskeletal health. Their optimized absorption can maintain bone density and alleviate osteoporosis with age.
Heart Health
Some research links acidic pH to higher heart disease risk over time. Alkaline water can neutralize metabolic acids, support blood bicarbonate buffering and regulate pH – all potential heart health benefits.
Comparing Hydrogen Water and Alkaline Water
| Factors to Consider | Hydrogen Water | Alkaline Water |
|---|---|---|
| Production Method | Molecular hydrogen is dissolved into water typically through controlled bubbling in the electrolysis process. | Water is treated through electrolysis using electrolysis to split water into alkaline and acidic streams. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium are added to the alkaline stream. |
| Composition | Contains higher levels of molecular hydrogen than ordinary water. | Has higher pH (8-10) and contains minerals that make it more alkaline than plain water. |
| Mechanism of Action | Acts as a potent antioxidant to mitigate free radicals and oxidative stress. | Helps balance the body’s pH levels and transports out acid waste and compounds through minerals. |
| Documented Effects | Supports antioxidant effects, reduces inflammation, improves brain function, and supports detoxification. | Supports pH balance, hydration, detoxification, bone/muscle health, heart health. |
| Best for | Conditions involving oxidative stress, inflammation, neurological issues. | Addressing diet-induced acidity, alkalization support, mineral deficiencies. |
| Potential Downsides | More research is still needed on long-term effects. | Misconceptions around health claims, overly hyped brands offer limited benefits. |
| Produces Healthy pH water | When combined with alkaline water in ionizers. | Natively has higher pH. |
| Optimal Use | Daily wellness support and prevention. Combining with alkaline in ionizers is ideal. | Corrective for acidity issues, mineral deficiencies. Good as standalone or combined. |
Hydrogen Water vs Alkaline Water: Which Is Better?
While both hydrogen water and alkaline ionized water can provide health supportive qualities above standard tap water sources, discerning which may be best suited to individual needs helps to maximize the benefits. Both hydrogen water and alkaline water delivery attributes that plain water lacks, but in manners tailored differently depending on one’s specific situation and requirements.
Those coping with high levels of chronic oxidative stress, persistent inflammation, or accumulation of toxic compounds often find hydrogen water’s direct antioxidant effects from molecular hydrogen confer the most impact. Its protective effects target underlying issues. Meanwhile, individuals focused on alkalization support, addressing diet-induced acidity imbalances, or mineral deficiencies tend to benefit more from alkaline water’s mineral-rich pH balancing approach that helps correct pH issues over the long term.
Certain conditions may see quicker resolution utilizing alkaline water’s alkalizing corrective abilities to eliminate acidity. However, hydrogen water shows promise for fortifying the body against damage and disease in the first place through long-term, preventative cellular protection. Combining the attributes of both through drinking hydrogen-rich alkaline water produced by a quality home water ionizer can serve to maximize overall advantages, providing antioxidant support together with pH and mineral delivery.
Consulting a healthcare expert is always advised before relying solely on any enhanced water product or significantly changing hydration habits, especially regarding specific health conditions. Both hydrogen water and alkaline water warrant consideration depending on individualized needs assessments for optimally supporting wellness from customized hydration regimens.
The Bottom Line on Hydrogen vs. Alkaline Water:
In conclusion, both hydrogen water and alkaline ionized water have value within an overall healthy lifestyle when produced using reliable at-home appliances. However, as mentioned above, they both have potential side-effects. Understanding key distinctions between the two enhanced hydration options empowers discerning their most applicable scenarios. Ultimately, focusing on pure, energy-rich water supports optimal function and allows our extraordinary bodies to naturally heal and thrive.
For more information on beneficial water therapies and all things around benefits of water, stay tuned to my blog. I’m always available to give recommendations, reviews, and health information around water. If you found this particular post helpful, you might want to check out my posts on best hydrogen water machines, kangen alkaline water review, and pros and cons of drinking alkaline water.
Stay hydrated,
Shashank Varma (Mr. Water Geek).
