Hydrogen-Rich Water and Resting Metabolism in Young Adults

The H2REST trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study investigating the acute effects of a single dose of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on resting metabolism in healthy young adults. Participants complete two testing sessions-receiving either HRW or placebo in a randomized order-followed by standardized metabolic testing. Primary outcomes include resting energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio, and substrate utilization measured via indirect calorimetry. The study aims to assess whether acute HRW intake can modulate metabolic rate and fuel preference at rest, and to explore inter-individual variability in response.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Subjects or Volunteers

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Aged 18-35 years
BMI between 18.5 and 25.0 kg/m²
Apparently healthy, with no history of chronic disease
Non-smoker, not currently using nicotine-containing products
Able to provide informed consent
Willing to refrain from alcohol, caffeine, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours before each study visit
Able to comply with study procedures, including fasting and attending all study visits

Exclusion criteria

Diagnosed metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or endocrine disorders
Use of dietary supplements or medications affecting metabolism (within the past 2 weeks)
Allergy or intolerance to components of the hydrogen or placebo beverages
Pregnant or lactating
Shift work or irregular sleep schedule
Participation in another clinical study within the past 30 days

Treatment and study plan

Molecular hydrogen

Dietary Supplement

Participants in this arm will consume a single 250 mL dose of hydrogen-rich water containing approximately 1.6-2.0 ppm of dissolved molecular hydrogen (H₂), The HRW will be ingested following an overnight fast, and resting metabolism will be measured approximately 30-60 minutes post-consumption using indirect calorimetry.

Placebo Comparator

Dietary Supplement

Non-hydrogen-producing tablets, identical in appearance and taste to the active supplement

Primary outcomes

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)

Time frame: Participants will attend three study visits, with each intervention separated by a 7-day washout period to minimize carry-over effects. During each visit, measurements will be conducted approximately 30-60 minutes post-intervention.

The measurements will be obtained during each study visit. Since this is an interventional study assessing the acute effects of molecular hydrogen, measurements will be collected three times:

At baseline, without any intervention (pre-familiarization),

After a single dose of molecular hydrogen, and

After placebo administration.

The period between each intervention will be seven days, serving as a washout period to prevent carry-over effects. All participants will be instructed to maintain their regular diet and to avoid alcohol, caffeine-containing beverages, and strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours prior to each visit.

Measure Type: Continuous (kcal/day)

Method: Indirect calorimetry

Description: To assess the effect of acute ingestion of hydrogen-rich water versus placebo on resting energy expenditure in healthy young adults.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Nikola Todorovic, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+381658417576

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Novi Sad

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Resting Metabolism in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

Acronym: H2REST

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 1, 2025
Registry last updated: Aug 1, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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