What You Need to Know About Drinking Hydrogen and Oxygen Water
What do two wellness nerds (or girlies) do after a day of longevity talks in Estonia?
Sit in a hot sauna and drop hydrogen tablets into their water, of course. It wasn’t even planned, we just both had them. Meanwhile, our third friend stared at us with complete confusion.
Hydrogen water is one of those things I never travel without. At home, I have a machine from EchoWater sitting on my counter. On the road? Hydrogen tablets go in the bag, no question. They help me bounce back from flights, brain fog, avoid getting sick,and fatigue. And recently, I’ve beaen getting curious about something new: oxygen water.
At the same conference, we met a Singaporean scientist working on Oxytap, the first supplement form of oxygen water. I’ve done my fair share of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but drinking oxygen? That was new. I tried it, and honestly? It tasted incredible. Like real mountain spring water from the Alps or the Himalayas. We both spent the entire two days going back to his booth to refill our water bottles.
So what’s really going on with these two types of ‘enhanced’ waters, and what does the science actually say?
What Is Hydrogen Water?
Hydrogen water is regular H₂O that’s been infused with extra molecular hydrogen (H₂) gas.
This hydrogen isn’t part of the water molecule itself, it’s added, and dissolves into the liquid, like carbonation. Unlike the hydrogen already bound in water, this free hydrogen acts as a therapeutic gas in the body.
What makes hydrogen so powerful?
Hydrogen is one of the most selective antioxidants out there, targeting oxidative stress without disrupting your body’s natural balance.
Unlike broad-spectrum antioxidants, H2 specifically targets the most damaging free radicals, like hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, without disrupting essential cellular signaling processes. It is one of the greatest antioxidants! That means more clarity, less drag, and better flow state, all day long.
It’s incredibly small and bioavailable , so it penetrates deep into cells and even crosses the blood-brain barrier easily.
Hydrogen also helps regulate inflammation, supports mitochondrial function, and even modulates gene expression tied to cellular repair and energy production. And all of that from a sip of water.
Hydrogen therapy has been studied in over 1,500 peer-reviewed publications across nearly every system in the body from brain and heart to kidneys, skin, and beyond.
While many studies are still early-stage or small, the trends are compelling:
Performance & Recovery: Lowers lactic acid, reduces soreness, and improves time to exhaustion, sprint speed, strength, and heart rate recovery.
Metabolic Health: Shown to reduce LDL, triglycerides, and improve blood sugar regulation.
Neuroprotection: Helps shield the brain from oxidative damage and supports cognitive clarity.
Skin & Anti-Aging: Improves skin conditions, reduces rashes and wrinkles, and boosts elasticity.
Systemic Inflammation: Helps modulate cytokines and supports healing in inflammatory conditions, from arthritis to kidney disease.
Other Clinical Use Cases: Early data shows promise in supporting patients undergoing radiation, helping post-sepsis recovery, and even modulating immune response in COVID-19 cases. And other studies showing It also helps regulate cortisol, supports mitochondrial health, and has shown potential benefits in conditions like arthritis, kidney disease, and even radiation-induced tissue damage. [Ohta, 2012; LeBaron et al., 2019; Ichihara et al., 2021]
It’s safe, too. Hydrogen water has been given GRAS status (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA, with no known side effects in the concentrations used for drinking.
That’s why I have given it to my grandmother, mum and giving hydrogen water machine in many clients home... even thinking about getting a hydrogen ice bath for one client.
What About Oxygen Water?
Oxygen water is exactly what it sounds like: water infused with extra molecular oxygen (Oâ‚‚).
The theory is that it can support recovery, detoxification, metabolism, and even athletic performance by increasing the oxygen available to your cells. But here’s where the science gets a bit complicated.
Our bodies absorb oxygen through our lungs, not our stomachs. Even the most highly oxygenated water delivers a tiny fraction of the oxygen you get from a single breath. And to make matters worse, many bottled oxygen waters lose their oxygen content over time, because oxygen is volatile and escapes quickly once the bottle is opened (or even while sitting on shelves). So what you’re drinking may not be what was promised.
Worse still, some brands use hydrogen peroxide in their production process, a compound that, if consumed improperly, can lead to bloating, stomach pain, vomiting, and at high enough concentrations, ulcers or even stroke.
That’s why how it’s made really matters.
What makes Oxytap different is that it doesn’t come in a bottle.
There’s no sitting on a shelf, no additives. The oxygen is generated directly into the water, fresh, using proprietary tech. It’s instant. And when I drank it in Tallinn after a LONG few days, my body noticed and it tasted amazing! Clean, crisp, alive.
And while the digestive system isn’t your body’s main oxygen delivery route (that’s the lungs’ job), there is some fascinating science emerging about oxygen’s role in cognitive and physical performance.
Honestly, we already know how essential oxygen is for life, energy, and recovery so if there’s a way to get some of those benefits in a glass of water, without needing to strap on an oxygen mask. I mean, how amazing would that be?
Cognitive performance: 92% oxygen administration improved brain function in individuals with developmental delays, according to a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology [Kim et al., 2015].
Mental clarity: Transient oxygen administration enhanced performance during cognitively demanding tasks, though benefits decayed quickly once oxygen was removed [Turner et al., 2020].
Physical output: Studies show supplemental oxygen can support cognitive and physical performance, especially during tasks requiring sustained energy output [Turner et al., 2020].
Cellular energy: Oxygen is essential in ATP synthesis—your body’s cellular fuel—helping improve recovery and performance when delivered efficiently (Breatheology).
Tissue repair: Oxygen plays a critical role in wound healing by supporting angiogenesis and collagen production, as shown in The American Journal of Surgery [Gordillo & Sen, 2003].
Post-injury healing: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to support cellular repair, particularly post-surgery (TeleWellnessMD).
There’s also early evidence (anecdotal and observational so far) pointing to possible benefits for autoimmune and chronic pain management.
Case studies shared at the conference were promising but I’m still in research mode before drawing conclusions. I’m still experimenting with it and digging into the science - but so far, I’m intrigued.
So, while oxygen water won’t replace breathing or hyperbaric therapy, it may play a small role in broader recovery protocols, especially when the formulation and delivery method are right.
Why I Use Hydrogen Water (and Might Try Oxygen Water Too)
I run two businesses and I’m constantly on the go, hydrogen water helps me re-regulate. I’ve noticed faster recovery, better energy, deeper sleep, and sharper focus. For me, it’s like a little daily performance boost. And honestly, the science and history behind hydrogen water are compelling. It’s one of the few wellness tools I’ve stuck with consistently.
Oxygen water? Still early days. But if it can be delivered safely and effectively, especially in a clean, stable format, I’m paying attention. I’m still digging into the science, but the potential is there.
Both of these waters hint at a bigger truth: hydration can be more than just fluid intake. It can be a vehicle for deeper cellular support - if it’s grounded in good research.
But here’s the real advice: always ask questions. Where is it made? How is it made? Is it backed by studies? And what are you hoping to get out of it?
Fancy water isn’t magic. But when it’s built on strong science, it might just be one more tool in your wellness kit.
And before all the extras - start with the basics: clean, properly filtered water. And don’t forget to remineralise it. Your cells will thank you.
References
Ohta, S. (2012). Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas.
LeBaron, T. W., et al. (2019). Effects of hydrogen gas on oxidative stress and exercise performance.
Ichihara, M., et al. (2021). Biological effects of molecular hydrogen.
Kim et al. (2015). Oxygen and cognitive performance.
Turner et al. (2020). Transient oxygen and cognition.
Gordillo & Sen (2003). Oxygen’s role in wound healing.
Mayo Clinic (2020). Does oxygenated water work?
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2003). Oxygenated water and aerobic performance.
Breatheology. The role of oxygen in cellular energy.