What is the Use of Oxygenizer Water? Separating Fact from Marketing

January 6, 2026 •

5 min read

While regular tap water contains 5-13 mg/L of dissolved oxygen, some manufacturers of oxygenizer water claim their products contain significantly higher levels, with potential health benefits that go beyond basic hydration. Yet, is this functional water a genuine health booster or simply a product of clever marketing?

Quick Summary

This article investigates the purported uses and efficacy of oxygenizer water by examining production methods, scientific evidence for health claims, and potential risks, distinguishing it from regular tap water.

Key Points

Enhanced Hydration is Unproven: Despite marketing claims, oxygenizer water does not offer a more effective method of hydration than regular water; adequate fluid intake is the key benefit.
Limited Performance Impact: Studies on athletic performance and recovery show limited or no significant improvements from consuming oxygenated water, as the respiratory system is the main pathway for oxygen absorption.
Temporary Lactate Clearance: Some evidence suggests oxygenated water may aid in lactate clearance after exercise, but it does not reliably boost overall athletic performance.
Absorption is Minimal: The human digestive system is not designed for efficient oxygen absorption, rendering the high oxygen content in bottled water largely ineffective for raising blood oxygen levels significantly.
Potential for Placebo Effect: The perceived benefits of increased energy and performance from oxygenizer water may largely stem from a placebo effect, where belief in the product's efficacy influences results.
Premium Price, Limited Payoff: Consumers pay a much higher price for oxygenizer water compared to tap or regular bottled water, despite the lack of robust scientific evidence to justify the additional cost for specific health advantages.

What Exactly is Oxygenizer Water?

Oxygenizer water is a commercially bottled or canned beverage that has had a higher concentration of oxygen gas dissolved into it under pressure during the manufacturing process. The dissolved oxygen content can be significantly higher than standard tap water, with some brands claiming up to 36 times more oxygen. Unlike carbonated water, which contains dissolved carbon dioxide, oxygenizer water is infused with pure oxygen. The process, known as aeration or pressurized oxygenation, is distinct from the electrolysis method used for other functional waters.

The goal of adding extra oxygen is to create a 'functional' drink with enhanced health benefits beyond simple hydration. Products are often purified, for example through reverse osmosis, before oxygenation to remove other dissolved gases and impurities. This process can sometimes result in a flatter taste compared to naturally mineralized water.

How is Oxygenized Water Produced?

The production of oxygenated water typically involves one of two primary methods, both aimed at increasing the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) above the natural saturation levels. These methods include:

Pressurized Oxygenation

This is the most common technique where purified water is placed under increased pressure, allowing more oxygen gas to dissolve into the liquid than would occur at standard atmospheric pressure. This process is usually performed during the bottling or canning stage to maximize the initial DO content. However, as soon as the container is opened, the oxygen begins to escape, similar to how a fizzy drink loses its carbonation over time.

Microporous Membrane Diffusion

An alternative method, detailed in some patent literature, involves using a microporous hydrophobic macromolecule exchange membrane. In this process, purified water flows on one side of the membrane while oxygen passes through the other. The oxygen diffuses through the membrane's pores into the water, creating an oxygen-rich solution.

Alleged Benefits and the Scientific Reality

Marketing for oxygenizer water often promotes a wide range of benefits. However, scientific evidence to support most of these claims is limited or inconclusive.

Enhanced Athletic Performance: Some brands suggest the extra oxygen can improve endurance and speed up recovery by aiding lactate clearance, the metabolic byproduct that causes muscle fatigue. A small study on runners did find improved lactate clearance, but no corresponding improvement in performance was noted. A significant physiological challenge is that the amount of oxygen absorbed through the digestive system is minimal compared to what the respiratory system provides.
Increased Energy and Mental Clarity: Proponents claim the extra oxygen can boost energy levels and improve cognitive function. As with athletic performance, the respiratory system is far more efficient at oxygenating the blood than the stomach, making a significant impact from ingested water highly unlikely. A placebo effect has also been observed in some studies, where participants perform better simply because they believe they are consuming a performance-enhancing product.
Improved Alcohol Metabolism: Oxygen is needed by the liver to metabolize alcohol. Some limited research in men found that dissolved oxygen in drinks might accelerate the decrease in blood alcohol content, though more research is required to confirm this.
Detoxification and Antioxidant Boost: Some companies claim oxygenizer water helps flush toxins and boosts antioxidant levels. A study did find that drinking oxygenated water led to a temporary, moderate increase in oxygen radicals, suggesting it might not have the antioxidant effect claimed.

Oxygenizer Water vs. Regular Water: A Comparison

To understand the value proposition, it is important to compare oxygenizer water with regular tap water. The key differences lie in the processing, cost, and the scientific backing for claimed health effects.


Feature	Oxygenizer Water	Regular Water	Key Differences
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)	Up to 4-10 times higher (or more, depending on brand) at the time of bottling.	Standard levels of 5-13 mg/L.	Processed to have unnaturally high DO, which depletes after opening.
Production Process	Specialized process of infusing purified water with oxygen under pressure.	Typically sourced from municipal systems or natural springs; minimal processing.	Oxygenizer water involves an extra, more complex step.
Cost	Significantly more expensive due to specialized processing, bottling, and marketing.	Very inexpensive, especially tap water.	Oxygenizer water commands a premium price for unproven benefits.
Taste	Often described as crisp or slightly flatter, as it may be purified of natural minerals first.	Varies widely based on source and mineral content.	Different mouthfeel, but not a primary health feature.
Scientific Evidence	Limited; most claims lack robust, independent evidence. Some small studies show minor effects on lactate or alcohol metabolism, but overall performance benefits are questioned.	Proven and essential for basic hydration and bodily functions. No additional health claims beyond hydration.	Regular water has proven benefits for health; oxygenizer water relies on marketing hype.
Hydration	Effectively hydrates, just like regular water.	The standard for hydration.	Both hydrate, but regular water does so far more affordably.

Who is Oxygenizer Water For?

Given the limited scientific evidence supporting its specific health claims, oxygenizer water is most suited for individuals who can afford the premium price and are curious about its effects. For the average, healthy person, the respiratory system is the most efficient method for oxygenating the blood. Any minimal extra oxygen absorbed through the digestive tract is unlikely to offer a noticeable advantage over regular water. For high-level endurance athletes, some minor benefits related to lactate clearance have been observed in limited studies, but more research is needed to determine true performance-enhancing effects. The main benefit for anyone is still adequate hydration, which can be achieved far more affordably.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While generally safe for consumption, some considerations exist:

Ineffective Absorption: A primary argument against the health claims is the human body's inability to significantly absorb oxygen through the gastrointestinal tract, especially compared to the lungs.
Oxygen Radical Production: One small study showed that drinking oxygenated water temporarily increased oxygen radicals in the body, although the long-term effects were unclear. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to oxidative stress.
Limited Shelf Life: Once the container is opened, the dissolved oxygen starts escaping quickly. Many manufacturers recommend consuming the water within 30 minutes to maximize the potential oxygen intake.
High Cost: Consumers pay a premium for a product with largely unproven benefits. The added expense may not be justified when the same hydration is available from much cheaper sources.

Conclusion

In summary, the primary use of oxygenizer water is to provide hydration, which it accomplishes no more effectively than regular water. While marketers tout benefits like enhanced energy, improved athletic performance, and better alcohol metabolism, much of this is based on limited or inconclusive research. The body's respiratory system is overwhelmingly more efficient at delivering oxygen to cells than the digestive system. For the vast majority of people, the significant price difference is for a product whose added benefits are still largely unproven and potentially negligible. It is important to approach marketing claims critically and to consider that regular, affordable water remains the most reliable and effective source of hydration.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, oxygenizer water is different from hydrogen peroxide. Oxygenizer water is simply drinking water with extra dissolved oxygen gas, making it safe to consume. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with a bond between two oxygen molecules and is unsafe for consumption.

The human body is not designed to absorb a significant amount of oxygen through the digestive system. The lungs are the primary and most efficient organ for oxygen absorption, meaning the extra oxygen in the water is likely to have a negligible effect on blood oxygen levels.

Scientific evidence is limited and conflicting. Some small studies suggest a minor improvement in post-exercise lactate clearance, but no consistent improvements in overall performance have been observed, and the effect is likely insignificant.

In small studies, drinking oxygenated water was linked to a temporary increase in oxygen radicals, though the long-term effects are unknown. While generally considered safe in moderation, the high cost for unproven benefits is a significant consideration.

Oxygenizer water begins to lose its dissolved oxygen rapidly once the bottle or can is opened. Most manufacturers recommend consuming it quickly, often within 30 minutes, to maximize the ingested oxygen.

Oxygenizer water is infused with extra oxygen. Electrolyte water contains added minerals like potassium and sodium to replenish what's lost in sweat. Alkaline water has a higher pH level. Each type is marketed for different purposes and contains different additives.

Limited evidence from a small study suggested dissolved oxygen might accelerate alcohol metabolism. However, the primary benefit is simply the rehydration that any water provides. More research is needed to determine if oxygenizer water is more effective than regular water for a hangover.

The higher cost is primarily due to the specialized process of infusing and pressurizing the water with pure oxygen, as well as the marketing involved in positioning it as a premium health product. This expense is not typically justified by scientifically proven benefits.