It was brought to my attention recently that apparently infusing regular water with more hydrogen makes it a super recovery drink for endurance athletes.
Now, you folks at home may not know that Bridey O'Leary has done a few marathons in her day and is still a regular fixture at her local gym.
I was thus highly intrigued by the idea that I could recharge even better after my regular two-hour cardio sessions by consuming extra H atoms. (Btw, the college chemistry major in me initially wondered, albeit foolishly, if adding more hydrogen to water could somehow trigger the formation of hydrogen peroxide, but, nah, it's far more complicated. Thank God, 'cause you imagine guzzling down 12 ounces of disinfectant following an intense stairmaster experience?).
Following an eight-mile run in Austin, Texas this past weekend, I was sweating buckets and rehydrated with two chilled packets of H Factor, which, btw, is not sold in bottles as they cause H leakage. (Promotional material for this product touts the aluminum packaging, designed to minimize the escape of hydrogen, as a special feature.) Another 20 ounces of Vitamin Water Zero and 30 minutes later, I felt great. Unusually great? Yes, actually. Although I almost always have a spring in my step after a longish run (ironically), that day I also felt highly optimistic as well as energetic.
Was the extra hydrogen really responsible for my surfeit of physical and emotional spirit? Or was it just the placebo effect? Who cares, it worked.
Disclosure: Samples provided; opinions are my own.