Ever stood in the bottled water aisle, staring at labels like ‘Hydrogen Water’ and ‘Alkaline Water,’ wondering which one is actually better? With both gaining popularity for their supposed health benefits, the choice isn’t always clear.
Marketing buzz and wellness trends have made something as simple as drinking water a decision that requires research. But don’t worry—I’ll break down the key differences between hydrogen water and alkaline water so you can decide which one truly deserves a spot in your routine.
Is Hydrogen Water Any Good?
As the name suggests, hydrogen water is simply regular drinking water infused with extra hydrogen gas (H2). Scientists believe that adding molecular H2 enhances its potential benefits—potentially even more than alkaline water—due to its powerful antioxidant properties.
Curious about these claims, I decided to get a hydrogen water bottle so I could generate hydrogen water from regular tap water at home. Over the years, I’ve tested multiple H2 generator bottles, gaining hands-on experience that allows me to provide realistic and practical guidance based on what truly works.
Learn More: How To Use A Hydrogen Water Generator?
DISCLAIMER: I’m not a medical professional, and this isn’t health advice—just my firsthand experience with hydrogen and alkaline water and their effects on me. I’ve thoroughly researched the topic and included credible sources for you to check out.
Advantages Of Hydrogen Water Over Alkaline Water
1. Boosts Athletic Performance
My journey with hydro-water began when I saw marketing ads claiming that it possesses anti-inflammatory traits, which can help improve athletic performance. As a fitness instructor, regular exercise and running have been integral to my daily schedule for many years now.
I have tried alkaline water too, but it did not influence my workout performance in any way. So, this time, I wanted to see if drinking hydrogen water post-workout makes any difference to my performance.
Interestingly, after about two and a half weeks, I started noticing lesser muscle fatigue, even on days of intense workouts. I had read about a study suggesting that drinking hydrogen water, after working out rigorously can help accelerate muscle recovery and soothe fatigue. And that is exactly what I experienced.
2. Boosts Energy And Endurance
As someone who trains regularly and teaches fitness classes, I need all the endurance I can get. When I read that hydrogen water might help boost overall energy levels, I paid close attention to how I felt after making the switch.
Around the two-week mark, I noticed a shift—I felt more energetic throughout the day, and my endurance during workouts improved. Whether it was back-to-back yoga sessions or an intense strength-training routine, I had more stamina to keep going.
In comparison, when I drank alkaline water, I never felt any difference in my energy levels. Hydrogen water, on the other hand, gave me a sustained boost, making a real difference in my daily routine.
3. Improves Overall Mental Health
Beyond the physical advantages, I also noticed an unexpected change in my mood. There were moments where I would typically feel stressed or mentally drained, but after consistently drinking hydrogen water, I felt more balanced and upbeat.
This lined up with studies I had come across, suggesting that H2-rich water might have mood-boosting effects. While I can’t claim it’s a miracle cure for stress, I definitely felt a positive shift. Alkaline water, on the other hand, never had this effect on me—I drank it for months before switching and never experienced any noticeable emotional or mental benefits.
4. Normal Taste
One thing I appreciated about hydrogen water is that it tastes just like regular water. There was no strange aftertaste, unlike some ionized or alkaline waters that can have a slightly bitter or metallic flavor depending on their mineral content. This made it easy to incorporate into my daily hydration routine without any adjustments.
Related: Ionized vs Hydrogen Water
Limitations Of Hydrogen Water
One thing I noticed early on was that hydrogen water is slightly more expensive than regular bottled water. At first, this seemed like a downside, but after doing some research, I realized that investing in a hydrogen water bottle instead of buying pre-packaged cans is a much smarter option.
That’s exactly what I did, and in the long run, it turned out to be more cost-effective. Now, I can generate fresh hydrogen water whenever I need it without constantly spending on single-use products.
Alternatively, How Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is essentially regular water with a higher pH level. It’s created by infusing plain water with minerals that have a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) to increase its alkalinity.
I first came across alkaline water while exploring different hydration options for my fitness routine. It’s often marketed for its ability to balance the body’s pH levels, thanks to minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium, which are believed to help counteract acidity.
The pH scale, which measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, anything below is acidic, and anything above is alkaline. Alkaline water typically falls between 8 and 9.5, making it slightly more alkaline than regular tap water.
Advantages Of Alkaline Water
A. Good Hydration
I first started drinking alkaline water because it was advertised as a great hydration source for athletes. However, after switching to hydrogen water, I didn’t notice any significant difference in hydration. Based on my experience, both do a great job at keeping the body hydrated.
B. Boosts Digestion
I could relate to a 2018 study that suggested alkaline water might possess colon-cleansing properties, which help detoxify our body and boost our immune response. I can say that it helped improve my digestion and acid reflux to a noticeable extent.
I did not find hydrogen water to possess colon-cleansing traits as such. However, studies indicate that it might help manage metabolism-related disorders, such as obesity, high cholesterol, and blood sugar. It might also help battle disorders like psoriasis and arthritis by virtue of its anti-inflammatory capabilities.
Drawbacks Of Alkaline Water
Alkaline water is considered safe for drinking in the general sense. However, there might be some possible side effects if you drink it consistently for the long term. Some scientists believe drinking this water regularly might make us more susceptible to contracting hyperkalemia, especially if the pH value is higher than 9.8. But the pH of my tap water is around 6.8-7.2 and I never faced any such things.
Hydrogen Water Vs. Alkaline Water Comparison
| Point Of Difference | Hydrogen Water | Alkaline Water |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | Generated either through electrolysis or by bubbling extra hydrogen gas in regular water. | Powerful neutralizer for acidic reactions in the body. It also, boosts digestion, bowel movements, and bone density. |
| Primary Benefit | Delivers powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. | Powerful neutralizer for acidic reactions in the body. It also boosts digestion, bowel movements, and bone density. |
| pH Value | Doesn’t alter pH value (as much as source water). | pH value around 8 to 9.5, which is higher than plain drinking water. |
| Compatibility with Athletes | Suitable for athletes – boosts energy and endurance and improves muscle recovery and fatigue | Also good by not as much as hydrogen water. |
| Other Advantages | Offers anti-aging and overall mental health benefits | Mental health and anti-aging advantages not yet found |
| Side Effects | No known adverse effects – generally safe. But more research is needed. | Patients suffering from kidney ailments should avoid drinking it. |
| Types | Sold in cans and pouches, and can be generated using hydrogen water generators or bottles | Sold in regular bottled packaging |
| Color and Odor | Usually does not contain any odor or color | pH value is around 8 to 9.5, which is higher than plain drinking water. |
| Taste | Tastes just like regular drinking water | The taste is slightly caustic |
More comparison: Hydrogen water tablets vs bottles
So, Hydrogen Or Alkaline Water: Which Is Better And Why?
Hydrogen and alkaline water each have their unique properties and advantages, so the choice ultimately depends on personal preferences and specific health goals.
However, based on my experience, hydrogen water has been significantly more BENEFICIAL. The improvements I noticed in muscle recovery, endurance, and mental well-being far exceeded anything I had from drinking alkaline water. Additionally, the taste of the former never really appealed to me, whereas H2 water tastes just like regular drinking water, making it easier to consume daily.
Hydrogen water supports overall well-being—both physically and mentally—whereas alkaline water is mainly marketed for balancing acidity. Moreover, the latter can be risky for people with kidney issues and may cause digestive discomfort with long-term consumption.
Another major advantage is that with a hydrogen bottle, I can generate my own H2-rich water anytime, using regular tap water. This has saved me both money and time, making it a much more convenient and sustainable choice.
Key Takeaways
H2 water contains extra molecular H2 in regular water, whereas alkaline water consists of alkaline mineral content.
Hydro-water offers powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammation advantages, ensuring both physical and mental well-being. However, alkaline water comes with a few physical benefits, many of which need further research to be confirmed.
Hydrogen-rich water is deemed safer for drinking and comes without reports of any negative effects so far. However, alkaline water might cause kidney problems due to the presence of certain minerals.
You can easily generate your own supply of hydro-water by purchasing a hydrogen water bottle or generator.
