Hydrogen water can also be called H2 water, hydrogen-rich water, hydrogen infusion water, or hydrogen-enriched water.
When we talk about “hydrogen water,” we are referring to water that contains dissolved molecular hydrogen gas (H2).
This is something similar to carbonated drinks, where dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) is responsible for the fizzing effect. Water with dissolved hydrogen can be produced in a number of ways. Common methods include electrolysis (water ionizers), hydrogen infusion machines (HIM), tablets that produce H2 gas when dissolved in water or swallowed, and by bubbling H2 bubbles through the water.
It is important to note that although the H2 gas dissolves in the water, it does not chemically bind to the water molecules themselves in order to form new chemical compounds (something like “H4O”). Although it is not uncommon for some gas bubbles to be seen or for the water to even have a “foggy” appearance, the H2 gas is dissolved in the water in the form of extremely small “nanobubbles” that are invisible to the naked eye. Any visible H2 bubbles are undissolved and quickly rise to the surface and escape into the air.
The approximate half-life for an open container is two hours. Dissolved hydrogen is usually measured in milligrams per liter (mg/liter) or equivalent units, parts per million (ppm)1. Typical concentrations of dissolved H2 are in the range of 0,5 to 2 mg/liter.
Although the saturation level of hydrogen at sea level is about 1,6 mg/liter, under appropriate conditions of temperature and air pressure, supersaturated concentrations of 3 mg/liter or more are possible.
While our discussion focuses only on hydrogen drinking water, it should be noted that there are many other methods of administering hydrogen gas, including inhalation, intravenous injection of hydrogen-rich saline, as well as hydrogen baths.
Excerpt from the book by Randy Sharpe: “The relationship between dissolved H2, pH and redox potential”
