For years, hydrogen tablets have been quietly making waves in the biohacking world. Early adopters swear by the energy, focus, and recovery benefits, but mainstream science has been slow to catch up—until now.
A groundbreaking 2025 randomised controlled trial, the HYDRAPPET Study (Medicina, 2025), has revealed that daily hydrogen-rich water consumption—delivered via hydrogen tablets—may do far more than support recovery. Researchers found significant benefits for appetite regulation, cholesterol levels, and sleep quality in obese men and women after just eight weeks.
Here’s why this study could redefine how we look at hydrogen supplementation.
The HYDRAPPET Study: 8 Weeks, 36 Adults, Big Results
The trial enrolled 36 obese adults (average BMI 30.8) and split them into two groups: one consumed 1 litre of hydrogen-rich water daily (15mg H₂), the other consumed placebo water. Over eight weeks, researchers tracked appetite scores, body composition, cholesterol levels, GLP-1 hormones, and sleep quality.
The results were striking:
Cravings dropped significantly in the hydrogen group (p = 0.05).
GLP-1 levels increased, the same hormone targeted by popular weight-loss injections (p = 0.05).
Total and LDL cholesterol levels decreased (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively).
Sleep quality improved, with participants reporting better sleep latency and less daytime dysfunction.
Importantly, the hydrogen group achieved these benefits without changing diet, exercise, or adding medications—and no serious side effects were reported.
Appetite and Cravings: GLP-1 Connection Explained
One of the most intriguing findings was the increase in GLP-1, a gut-derived hormone that reduces appetite and improves blood sugar control. GLP-1 is the same pathway targeted by injectable weight-loss drugs like semaglutide.
Participants taking hydrogen tablets (converted into hydrogen-rich water) experienced:
7.4-point reduction in total food cravings score vs just 1.3 in the placebo group.
A measurable boost in GLP-1, suggesting hydrogen may help the body naturally regulate hunger signals.
For individuals struggling with constant cravings, this mechanism could be a game-changer.
Cholesterol and Metabolic Health: A Surprising Bonus
The study also found that hydrogen-rich water led to meaningful reductions in total cholesterol (−0.32 mmol/L) and LDL cholesterol (−0.21 mmol/L).
Why does this matter? Even modest improvements in lipid profiles are linked to reduced cardiovascular risk. When combined with appetite control, the metabolic benefits of hydrogen supplementation could extend far beyond weight management.
Better Sleep Quality After 8 Weeks
Poor sleep is a known driver of weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. In HYDRAPPET, participants consuming hydrogen tablets reported:
Better overall sleep quality
Shorter sleep latency (falling asleep faster)
Less daytime dysfunction
The study authors suggest that hydrogen’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help rebalance the body’s circadian rhythms and reduce oxidative stress factors often linked to poor sleep in obese individuals.
What This Means for Hydrogen Tablet Users
This 2025 clinical trial confirms what early adopters of hydrogen tablets have been reporting for years: consistent use may help with:
Appetite control and reduced cravings
Improved sleep quality
Better lipid profiles and cardiovascular health
While body composition didn’t shift significantly in just eight weeks, men in the hydrogen group lost an average of 2kg, suggesting that longer-term use could further support fat loss.
Why Hydrogen Tablets Are the Easiest Way to Access These Benefits
Hydrogen gas dissipates quickly, making bottled hydrogen water unreliable. Hydrogen tablets, on the other hand, generate high-dose hydrogen-rich water on demand (like the exact 15mg daily dose used in the HYDRAPPET study).
When dropped in water, they create a potent, supersaturated solution that delivers molecular hydrogen directly into your bloodstream, where it can modulate hormones like GLP-1 and support cellular health.
Final Takeaway
The HYDRAPPET study is a major milestone in hydrogen research. For those struggling with cravings, poor sleep, or metabolic health issues, hydrogen tablets may be a safe, side-effect-free option to add to your daily routine.
As the researchers concluded:
“Hydrogen-rich water may offer a safe and effective dietary strategy to address appetite regulation and related metabolic indices in individuals with obesity.” (Medicina, 2025)
With more clinical trials emerging, hydrogen tablets are moving from biohacker secret to evidence-backed metabolic support.
Citation
Todorovic, N., Baltic, S., Nedeljkovic, D., Kuzmanovic, J., Korovljev, D., Javorac, D., Bijelic, K., Kladar, N., Tarnava, A., & Ostojic, S. M. (2025). The Effects of 8-Week Hydrogen-Rich Water Consumption on Appetite, Body Composition, Sleep Quality, and Circulating Glucagon-like Peptide-1 in Obese Men and Women (HYDRAPPET): A Randomized Controlled Trial. Medicina, 61(7), 1299. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61071299