Oxygenated water: Benefits, uses, and precautions

Oxygenated water is a fairly new type of bottled water that has extra oxygen added to it during the packaging process.

Some claim that the extra oxygen offers health perks like faster recovery after workouts, removing toxins from your body, and helping you process alcohol better. But it’s important to note that there’s not much scientific proof to back up these claims.

Even though oxygenated water is low-calorie, it doesn’t offer any notable nutrients. Plus, there are different brands out there that might include extra things like caffeine, electrolytes, hemp extract, or sweeteners.

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In this article

Perks and benefits of drinking oxygenated water

Research on water that’s been oxygenated is still in the early stages, but some findings hint at possible health advantages.

Extra oxygen in water might help clear lactic acid during workouts

When you’re doing moderate or intense workouts that last longer than 10 seconds, your body creates something called lactate. It’s just a waste product that’s made when you’re exercising hard.

The thing is, if too much lactate piles up, it can make your muscles feel tired and sore. That’s why getting rid of it is essential when you’re doing longer workouts.

One study of 25 athletes showed that those who drank water with added oxygen had an easier time getting rid of this lactate. However, it didn’t make them perform better in any other way during exercise.

We need more research to be sure, but if you’re into endurance sports, you might want to give oxygenated water a shot.

Drinking water with extra oxygen could speed up alcohol breakdown

Another possible perk of oxygenated water is that it might help your body break down alcohol faster.

Here’s the thing: after you drink alcohol, your body starts breaking it down mainly in your liver. This process needs a lot of oxygen. If your liver doesn’t get enough oxygen, it can slow down the alcohol breakdown.

A study done on 15 men suggested that having drinks with extra dissolved oxygen could speed up how quickly alcohol levels drop in your blood. But again, we’ll need more research to confirm this.

Oxygenated water helps you stay hydrated

Putting aside other possible benefits, water with added oxygen can simply help you stay hydrated.

The general recommendation is to drink at least eight cups of water, each holding about 8 ounces, every day.

Your body is mostly made of water, and being properly hydrated is crucial for all sorts of things like keeping your body temperature steady, maintaining your blood pressure, and keeping your brain working well.

So, including oxygenated water in your daily hydration plan is a good idea.

Summary: While the science isn’t fully settled, some research suggests that oxygenated water may help get rid of lactic acid during exercise and might speed up how fast your body breaks down alcohol. Plus, it’s a good way to keep yourself hydrated.

Things to consider before drinking oxygenated water

Even though oxygenated water is usually safe to drink, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Oxygenated water is not the same as hydrogen peroxide

Oxygenated water might sound similar to hydrogen peroxide, but they’re not the same. Hydrogen peroxide is used for cleaning and is not safe to drink. It can cause problems like stomach pain, nausea, and even internal bleeding if you swallow it.

On the flip side, oxygenated water is just regular water with extra oxygen, which is okay to drink. Just make sure you’re picking up a bottle meant for drinking, usually found in the drinks aisle of the store.

Suggested read: Electrolyte water: Benefits and myths

Drink oxygenated water quickly after opening

Just like fizzy drinks can go flat, oxygenated water can lose its extra oxygen if you leave it sitting around. So if you want to get the most out of it, try to finish the bottle within 30 minutes after you open it.

Most of this water comes in cans that you can’t reseal, which is another reason to drink it up quickly.

Not enough solid research yet

There’s a lot of chatter about oxygenated water in health and fitness circles, but the science isn’t all there yet. We still don’t know how well our bodies can actually absorb this extra oxygen or how long it really stays dissolved in the water.

Some people say it could even make your skin and hair look better, but there’s no solid evidence to back that up right now.

So while it’s okay to drink, we don’t have a full picture of all the potential benefits—or lack thereof.

Summary: While generally safe to drink, there’s not a lot of strong evidence to suggest oxygenated water has special benefits. It’s important to consume it quickly after opening to get the most oxygen, and to make sure you’re not confusing it with hydrogen peroxide, which is not safe to drink.

Best times to drink oxygenated water

Oxygenated water is often grabbed after a workout, but you can drink it whenever you like.

Some brands add a little extra to their water, like caffeine, electrolytes, or even CBD, also known as cannabidiol.

If you go for the version with caffeine, it can give you a little energy boost before your workout. But be careful not to drink it too close to bedtime, or you might find it hard to fall asleep.

Water with added electrolytes can help you stay hydrated, especially when you’re doing intense exercise.

Suggested read: 8 healthy drinks rich in electrolytes

As for CBD, early studies indicate it might help with things like pain and stress. However, the doses in most oxygenated waters are usually below what’s considered effective.

Feel free to enjoy oxygenated water as a workout companion or just as your everyday water choice.

Summary: Although oxygenated water is generally safe for consumption, there is limited scientific evidence to support any special benefits it may offer. It is crucial that you consume it right after opening to obtain the maximum amount of oxygen, and to avoid mistaking it for hydrogen peroxide, which is not safe for drinking.

How oxygenated water stacks up against other specialty waters

It’s tricky to put oxygenated water head-to-head with other special types of water, like alkaline or caffeinated water, mainly because they all have different ingredients.

These fancy waters, often called functional waters, are usually advertised to offer extra health benefits. But the truth is, there’s not a lot of science to back up most of these claims.

Just like any other water, functional waters, including the oxygenated kind, help you stay hydrated. Just remember to read the label to know what you’re getting.

You might wonder how oxygenated water compares to sparkling water. While both have bubbles, the fizz in sparkling water comes from carbon dioxide. The bubbles in oxygenated water come from, well, oxygen. Both give you a similar feel in your mouth, although oxygenated water is usually less fizzy.

Summary: Oxygenated water is commonly chosen for exercise hydration but can be enjoyed anytime. It’s just one type of functional water out there, and while they all promise health benefits, the evidence isn’t strong for most. Always read the label to know what you’re drinking.

Summary

Oxygenated water is a trendy drink where extra oxygen is mixed in during the making of the water.

Some research hints it could help your body clear away waste products like lactate when you exercise, and might even speed up how quickly your body processes alcohol.

However, most other health benefits people talk about don’t have solid proof to back them up yet.

So, while oxygenated water can help keep you hydrated and can be a part of a healthy eating plan, it’s best not to count on it for any specific health boosts.