Hydrogen-Rich Water and Resting Metabolism in Young Adults (H2REST)

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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy Subjects or Volunteers
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Molecular Hydrogen; Dietary supplement: Placebo Comparator

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Nikola Todorovic, PhD; Phone Number: +381658417576; Email: nikolatodorovic1708@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: ARM1: 250 ml of Hydrogen Rich Water; Hydrogen-producing tablets: Tablets designed to dissolve in water and release molecular hydrogen gas, creating hydrogen-rich water that can be consumed to potentially provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.	Dietary supplement: Molecular Hydrogen; 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: ARM 2: 250 ml of Placebo Water (Non-hydrogen-producing tablets); Non-hydrogen-producing tablets, identical in appearance and taste to the active supplement	Dietary supplement: Placebo Comparator; Non-hydrogen-producing tablets, identical in appearance and taste to the active supplement

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)	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.	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.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Novi Sad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 24, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): August 1, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 1, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 24, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Energy expenditure; Metabolic rate; Substrate utilization; Hydrogen-rich water; Resting metabolism
• Other Study ID Numbers: 50-10-18/2024-3

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No