Tag: Isotopic effects

While chemically similar to regular water, a recent study published in *PLOS Water* revealed that 100% heavy water (D₂O) triggers a more heightened apoptotic response in human cells than high-dose radiation exposure. This astonishing finding brings a new perspective to the question: is deuterium water drinkable?

While chemically similar to normal water ($H_2O$), heavy water ($D_2O$) has significantly different biological effects on living organisms, and is not recommended for drinking. The human body naturally contains a small, harmless amount of heavy water, with about one in every 20 million water molecules containing deuterium instead of regular hydrogen. However, consuming high concentrations of heavy water can disrupt essential cellular processes, leading to toxicity.