aging / frailty

37 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with aging / frailty?

A: Of 37 peer-reviewed papers, 18 reported a positive effect (the most common), 9 limited/mixed, 0 negative, 10 not assessed. Study mix: 9 human (5 RCT), 17 animal/basic, 11 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	9	of which RCT	5
Animal/basic	17	Synthesis/meta	11
Reported effect	positive 18 ・ limited/mixed 9 ・ negative 0 ・ not assessed 10

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

hydrogen-rich water: 15 mixed routes: 7 in vitro: 5 inhalation: 4 topical application: 2 not specified: 2 hydrogen bath: 1 animal model: 1

Effects of hydrogen-rich water bath on visceral fat and skin blotch, with boiling-resistant hydrogen bubbles.
2019 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 31249254

hydrogen bath mixed human case report
Administration of hydrogen-rich water prevents vascular aging of the aorta in LDL receptor-deficient mice.
2018 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 30429524

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen affects body composition, metabolic profiles, and mitochondrial function in middle-aged overweight women.
2018 ・ Ir J Med Sci ・ PMID 28560519

hydrogen-rich water mixed human randomized controlled trial
Hydrogen-rich water for improvements of mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function in daily life.
2017 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 29497485

hydrogen-rich water positive human randomized controlled trial
Hydrogen gas protects IP3Rs by reducing disulfide bridges in human keratinocytes under oxidative stress.
2017 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 28620198

in vitro positive in vitro study
Hydrogen Treatment Protects against Cell Death and Senescence Induced by Oxidative Damage.
2017 ・ J Microbiol Biotechnol ・ PMID 27780950

in vitro positive in vitro study
Molecular hydrogen stimulates the gene expression of transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α to enhance fatty acid metabolism.
2016 ・ NPJ Aging Mech Dis ・ PMID 28721265

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular Hydrogen Alleviates Cellular Senescence in Endothelial Cells.
2016 ・ Circ J ・ PMID 27477846

in vitro positive in vitro study
Prediction of binding modes between protein L-isoaspartyl (D-aspartyl) O-methyltransferase and peptide substrates including isomerized aspartic acid residues using in silico analytic methods for the substrate screening.
2015 ・ J Pharm Biomed Anal ・ PMID 25758062

in vitro not assessed in vitro study
Effects of hydrogen-rich water on aging periodontal tissues in rats.
2014 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 24985521

hydrogen-rich water mixed animal study
Mechanism of the lifespan extension of Caenorhabditis elegans by electrolyzed reduced water--participation of Pt nanoparticles.
2011 ・ Biosci Biotechnol Biochem ・ PMID 21737933

hydrogen-rich water mixed animal study
Recent progress toward hydrogen medicine: potential of molecular hydrogen for preventive and therapeutic applications.
2011 ・ Curr Pharm Des ・ PMID 21736547

mixed routes not assessed review