anti-inflammatory

743 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with anti-inflammatory?

A: Of 743 peer-reviewed papers, 514 reported a positive effect (the most common), 59 limited/mixed, 6 negative, 164 not assessed. Study mix: 117 human (60 RCT), 432 animal/basic, 159 meta-analysis or synthesis. The most studied delivery route is hydrogen-rich water. The above aggregates published research and does not constitute a clinically established conclusion. See the individual paper pages for details and Safety notes for inhalation safety. (last updated 2026-05-15)

Evidence breakdown
Human	117	of which RCT	60
Animal/basic	432	Synthesis/meta	159
Reported effect	positive 514 ・ limited/mixed 59 ・ negative 6 ・ not assessed 164

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

hydrogen-rich water: 254 inhalation: 140 mixed routes: 129 not specified: 61 in vitro: 61 injection / infusion: 60 topical application: 17 animal model: 15 hydrogen bath: 6

Antitumor Activity of Protons and Molecular Hydrogen: Underlying Mechanisms.
2021 ・ Cancers (Basel) ・ PMID 33672714

mixed routes not assessed review
Hydrogen Gas Therapy Attenuates Inflammatory Pathway Signaling in Septic Mice.
2021 ・ J Surg Res ・ PMID 33639371

inhalation positive animal study
Protective effects of hydrogen rich saline solution on ventral penile mathieu type flap with penile tourniquet application in rats.
2021 ・ J Pediatr Urol ・ PMID 33608226

injection / infusion positive animal study
Application of Molecular Hydrogen as an Antioxidant in Responses to Ventilatory and Ergogenic Adjustments during Incremental Exercise in Humans.
2021 ・ Nutrients ・ PMID 33573133

hydrogen-rich water mixed human randomized controlled trial
Effects of concomitant use of hydrogen water and photobiomodulation on Parkinson disease: A pilot study.
2021 ・ Medicine (Baltimore) ・ PMID 33530211

mixed routes positive human case report
Hydrogen as a Potential Therapeutic in Obesity: Targeting the Brain.
2021 ・ Trends Endocrinol Metab ・ PMID 33485760

inhalation not assessed review
Protective Effects of Hydrogen against Irradiation.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 33463456

mixed routes not assessed review
Hydrogen-rich water protects against liver injury in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through HO-1 enhancement via IL-10 and Sirt 1 signaling.
2021 ・ Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol ・ PMID 33439102

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen enhances osteogenesis in Danio rerio embryos.
2021 ・ J Fish Biol ・ PMID 33410131

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen (H) as a potential treatment for acute and chronic fatigue.
2021 ・ Arch Pharm (Weinheim) ・ PMID 33368699

not specified not assessed review
Molecular hydrogen downregulates acute exhaustive exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage.
2021 ・ Can J Physiol Pharmacol ・ PMID 33356867

inhalation positive animal study
Hydrotherapy with hydrogen-rich water compared with RICE protocol following acute ankle sprain in professional athletes: a randomized non-inferiority pilot trial.
2021 ・ Res Sports Med ・ PMID 33356580

hydrogen bath null human randomized controlled trial
Alleviation of the chronic stress response attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of electrolyzed hydrogen water.
2021 ・ Biochem Biophys Res Commun ・ PMID 33340760

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Mechanisms Underlying the Biological Effects of Molecular Hydrogen.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 33308112

not specified not assessed review
Hydrogen-induced Neuroprotection in Neonatal Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 33185158

mixed routes positive review
Recent Advances in Molecular Hydrogen Research Reducing Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 33185152

mixed routes not assessed review
The Potential of Hydrogen for Improving Mental Disorders.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 33185151

not specified not assessed review
Recent advances in studies of molecular hydrogen in the treatment of pancreatitis.
2021 ・ Life Sci ・ PMID 33148420

not specified not assessed review
Neuroprotective and Preventative Effects of Molecular Hydrogen.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 33076798

hydrogen-rich water not assessed review
Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Skin Diseases and its Impact in Beauty.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 32981497

mixed routes not assessed review
Biological Responses to Hydrogen Molecule and its Preventive Effects on Inflammatory Diseases.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 32981496

mixed routes not assessed review
Hydrogen Gas as an Exotic Performance-Enhancing Agent: Challenges and Opportunities.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 32962610

mixed routes positive review
Oxidative Stress and Pathways of Molecular Hydrogen Effects in Medicine.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 32954996

not specified not assessed review
Molecular Hydrogen Application in Stroke: Bench to Bedside.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 32940172

mixed routes not assessed review
Perspective of Molecular Hydrogen in the Treatment of Sepsis.
2021 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 32912119

mixed routes not assessed review