What is Oxygenated Water?
Oxygenated water is a type of functional water that contains a higher concentration of dissolved oxygen than standard drinking water. This is achieved by infusing extra oxygen into the water under pressure during the canning or bottling process. While regular tap water typically contains 5-13 mg/L of dissolved oxygen, some oxygenated waters boast levels as high as 40-50 mg/L. However, unlike the carbonation in sparkling water, this added oxygen escapes rapidly once the bottle is opened.
The Science vs. The Claims
For humans, oxygen is primarily absorbed through the lungs, where it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells to be transported throughout the body. The digestive system, on the other hand, is not designed to absorb significant amounts of oxygen from ingested liquids. The amount of oxygen in a single breath of air far exceeds the total oxygen content of an entire bottle of oxygenated water. This fundamental biological reality brings many of the grand health claims into question. For example, a single, restful breath contains approximately 105 ml of oxygen, while a liter of oxygenated water may contain only up to 90 ml of oxygen, which then quickly dissipates upon opening.
Potential Benefits and the Evidence
While the marketing for oxygenated water is often aggressive, a handful of small studies have explored potential, albeit limited, benefits. It is crucial to evaluate these findings within the context of robust scientific evidence.
Hydration
At its most basic level, oxygenated water functions as a hydrating beverage, just like regular water. Staying properly hydrated is vital for numerous bodily functions, including temperature regulation, brain function, and maintaining blood pressure. While oxygenated water can contribute to your daily fluid intake, it offers no special advantage over regular water for general hydration purposes.
Athletic Performance and Recovery
One of the most frequently cited benefits is its effect on athletes. Some studies suggest it might aid in post-exercise lactate clearance, the metabolic byproduct that contributes to muscle fatigue. However, this is a limited finding, and many studies show no significant improvement in overall athletic performance, endurance, or time to exhaustion.
Potential Effects on Athletes:
- May Aid Lactate Clearance: Some limited research suggests a link, but more data is needed.
- No Significant Performance Improvement: Multiple studies show no real change in heart rate, oxygen absorption, or athletic output.
- Placebo Effect: One study observed that athletes who believed they were drinking oxygenated water performed better, highlighting the power of the placebo effect.
Alcohol Metabolism
Another proposed benefit is enhanced alcohol metabolism. One small study on men who consumed large amounts of alcohol suggested that dissolved oxygen in drinks might accelerate the decrease in blood alcohol content. However, this evidence is not conclusive, and significant further research is needed to confirm the effect.
Other Claims and Their Scientific Basis
- Detoxification: Some suggest it helps flush toxins, but this is a function the liver and kidneys perform regardless of the water's oxygen level.
- Immune System Boost: Claims that it boosts the immune system are largely unsubstantiated by scientific evidence.
- Skin Health: While some therapeutic skin treatments involve oxygen, drinking oxygenated water has not been shown to significantly benefit skin health through ingestion.
Comparison Table: Oxygenated vs. Regular Water
| Feature | Oxygenated Water | Regular Water |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen | Higher than regular water (e.g., 40-50 mg/L) | Standard levels (e.g., 5-13 mg/L) |
| Effect on Hydration | Excellent for hydration, same as regular water | Excellent for hydration |
| Proven Athletic Performance | Limited evidence for specific effects like lactate clearance; no robust evidence for improved performance | No direct effect on athletic performance |
| Taste | Can sometimes taste 'flatter' due to lack of other gases | Varies based on source and mineral content |
| Cost | Typically higher price point due to specialized processing and marketing | Generally lower cost |
| Long-Term Evidence | Claims mostly based on limited, small-scale studies; lacks conclusive evidence | Well-established and documented benefits for health |
Potential Risks and Limitations
While generally considered safe for consumption, some small studies have raised questions. One pilot study observed a temporary, moderate increase in oxygen radicals in subjects drinking oxygenated water, although long-term consumption appeared to attenuate this effect. Other significant limitations include the rapid loss of dissolved oxygen after the bottle is opened and the fact that the human body doesn't absorb oxygen efficiently through the digestive tract.
Conclusion: The Bottom Line
While oxygenated water does provide the essential benefit of hydration, which is vital for overall health, most of the additional health-boosting claims are not substantiated by conclusive scientific evidence. Marketing often exaggerates the potential impact of drinking water with higher dissolved oxygen levels, which the human body is not anatomically suited to absorb in a meaningful way through the stomach. For those considering oxygenated water for specific benefits like enhanced athletic performance or faster recovery, the scientific community suggests proceeding with caution and recognizing the significant role of the placebo effect. Until more robust, large-scale studies are conducted, the most reliable and affordable path to optimal hydration remains drinking regular, clean water.
For more in-depth analysis on the topic, review the findings presented in this Healthline article: What Is Oxygenated Water? Benefits, Uses, and Precautions.
