Regular consumption of redox (alkaline hydrogen-enriched) water was associated with lower immediate post-exercise IL-6 compared with controls after baseline adjustment, though pronounced baseline imbalance limits causal interpretation and warrants confirmation in larger trials.
Key Findings
Results
A significant group × time interaction was observed for IL-6, with the experimental group showing a post-exercise reduction while the control group showed a robust increase.
Group × time interaction: F(1,38) = 36.89, p < 0.001
Experimental group (n = 20) consumed redox water (pH 9.2–9.4, alkaline hydrogen-enriched) for eight weeks
Control group (n = 20) consumed standard water for eight weeks
IL-6 was measured at baseline and immediately post-exercise following a standardized maximal aerobic exercise test
Statistical analyses included two-way repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA
Results
A significant group × time interaction was detected for MDA, reflecting stable lipid peroxidation in the experimental group and increased levels in the control group.
Group × time interaction for MDA: F(1,38) = 4.98, p = 0.029
Baseline-adjusted analyses indicated that post-exercise MDA differences were largely attributable to initial variability
MDA (malondialdehyde) was used as a marker of lipid peroxidation
Both groups performed a standardized maximal aerobic exercise test after the eight-week intervention period
Results
Hematological and coagulation parameters remained within physiological ranges in both groups throughout the trial.
Both the experimental group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20) were assessed
No clinically abnormal hematological or coagulation values were reported in either group
This finding suggests the redox water intervention did not adversely affect blood safety parameters
Discussion
Redox water consumption was associated with lower immediate post-exercise IL-6 compared with controls after baseline adjustment, but pronounced baseline imbalance limits causal interpretation.
Baseline inflammatory profile imbalance between groups was identified as a key limitation
Authors note that confirmation in larger trials with balanced inflammatory profiles is warranted
ANCOVA was used to adjust for baseline differences in addition to repeated measures ANOVA
The study was a randomized controlled trial with 40 physically active adults total
Methods
The redox water intervention involved consumption of alkaline hydrogen-enriched water at pH 9.2–9.4 for eight weeks prior to exercise testing.
The water was described as 'subjected to molecular-level modification, yielding alkaline hydrogen-enriched water'
pH range of the redox water was 9.2–9.4
Intervention duration was eight weeks
Participants were described as physically active adults
Forty participants were randomized: experimental group n = 20, control group n = 20
Background
Acute high-intensity exercise induces transient inflammatory and oxidative stress responses mediated by redox-sensitive signaling pathways, reflected by elevations in IL-6 and lipid peroxidation products.
IL-6 and MDA were selected as the primary biochemical markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, respectively
The study framed modulation of these responses through hydration-based redox interventions as insufficiently characterized at the biochemical level
The exercise stimulus used was a standardized maximal aerobic exercise test
Stolecka-Warzecha A, Zając T, Gandyk M, Kostrzewa M, Sadowska-Krępa E. (2026). Redox Water Consumption Attenuates Exercise-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Physically Active Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040694