What is Oxygenated Water?
Oxygenated water is purified drinking water that has been infused with a higher concentration of dissolved oxygen than regular tap water. This process is typically performed during the bottling or canning phase under increased pressure to force more oxygen to dissolve into the liquid. While ordinary water contains roughly 5-13 mg/L of dissolved oxygen, manufacturers of oxygenated water claim their products can contain significantly more, sometimes up to 40-50 mg/L or even higher. The water is often purified first to remove other dissolved gases and impurities, which can give it a flatter taste compared to mineral or spring water.
The Claims vs. The Science
Marketed as a super-hydrator, oxygenated water is often touted for a range of health benefits. However, a closer look at the scientific evidence reveals that most of these claims are not well-supported.
Athletic Performance and Recovery
Marketers often suggest that the extra oxygen can enhance athletic performance by improving endurance and aiding in post-exercise recovery by clearing lactate. While some limited studies in athletes have observed a modest improvement in lactate clearance, they found no corresponding improvement in actual performance. The amount of oxygen a person absorbs by drinking water is physiologically insignificant compared to what is taken in through the lungs, rendering any performance-enhancing effect negligible.
Increased Energy and Mental Clarity
Some proponents claim oxygenated water can boost energy levels and sharpen mental focus. The theory is that extra oxygen reaching the brain and cells could improve function. However, the human body has a highly efficient respiratory system for oxygen intake, and simply drinking dissolved oxygen does not significantly increase blood oxygen levels. Therefore, any perceived boost in energy or mental clarity is likely due to adequate hydration or the placebo effect, rather than the minuscule amount of added oxygen.
Detoxification and Immune Support
Claims that oxygenated water can help flush out toxins or boost the immune system also lack strong evidence. The body has robust, natural detoxification systems, primarily involving the liver and kidneys. While oxygen is crucial for cellular processes, including liver function, drinking oxygenated water does not significantly enhance this natural process any more than drinking regular water. Some small studies exploring the effect on the immune system have shown mixed results and are not conclusive enough to support these broad claims.
The Reality of Oral Oxygen Absorption
The central flaw in the marketing for oxygenated water lies in human anatomy. Unlike fish that use gills to extract dissolved oxygen from water, humans are designed to absorb oxygen through the large surface area of the lungs, where it is efficiently bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells. The digestive tract is not adapted for this purpose. Any dissolved oxygen ingested is either quickly lost as a gas or absorbed in such tiny quantities that it has no measurable physiological effect on overall blood oxygen saturation. The amount of oxygen in a full bottle of the product is dwarfed by the volume of oxygen obtained from a single normal breath.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While generally safe, oxygenated water is not without considerations. A 2005 clinical study found that long-term consumption led to a moderate, transient increase in oxygen radicals in the blood of volunteers. While the study observed no harmful effects on the liver or blood counts over 28 days, excessive and prolonged oxidative stress from free radicals can potentially cause cellular damage. Additionally, oxygenated water loses its extra oxygen rapidly once opened, much like sparkling water losing its carbonation. For the product to deliver its advertised oxygen dose, it must be consumed quickly, which manufacturers often recommend.
Oxygenated Water vs. Regular Water: A Comparison
| Feature | Oxygenated Water | Regular Tap/Bottled Water |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen | Artificially elevated under pressure (e.g., 30-120 mg/L) | Naturally occurring (e.g., 5-13 mg/L) |
| Primary Benefit | Hydration, same as regular water | Hydration, essential for bodily function |
| Proven Health Benefits | Limited, with most claims unsubstantiated by robust science | Well-established for overall health, organ function, and hydration |
| Cost | Significantly more expensive due to added processing | Affordable and widely available |
| Best For | Meeting daily hydration needs, potentially enhanced by a placebo effect | All-purpose hydration, cooking, and daily fluid intake |
Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Oxygenated Water
At the end of the day, oxygenated water is just water. The fundamental physiological limitations of the human digestive system mean that any extra dissolved oxygen provides no measurable benefit to blood oxygen levels or athletic performance. While it is a safe way to hydrate, it offers no significant health advantages over regular tap or bottled water and comes with a higher price tag. Any feelings of enhanced performance or vitality are more than likely attributed to the placebo effect rather than the actual product. For those seeking better hydration or a performance boost, a balanced diet, proper nutrition, and drinking plenty of regular water remain the most proven and cost-effective strategies. For a deeper dive into the scientific community's analysis, consider reviewing the article published in PMC regarding performance studies.
