As mentioned previously, water that contains dissolved H2 gas will typically measure a negative ORP (-100 to -750 mV or more). Advertising often states that this is an indication that electricity has given the water various “special qualities” during electrolysis. Along with this, it is claimed that the water has a “smaller molecular structure”, contains “free electrons” or has a “negative charge”. While only a basic knowledge of chemistry is required to debunk such claims, they persist and are even spreading. This has led to confusion among both sellers and consumers as to the true source of the water's usefulness and uncertainty as to an appropriate method of evaluating its therapeutic potency and effectiveness. A negative ORP does not always indicate therapeutic benefit. Some toxic substances can also produce a negative ORP in water. It is important to know which substance in the water is responsible for producing the negative ORP. In fact, the negative ORP is created by the presence of dissolved hydrogen gas. The process is simple: during electrolysis, electricity is responsible for the production of molecular hydrogen gas (H2) at the negative cathode, which then dissolves in the water as it flows along the cathode (a secondary result of electrolysis is the increase in pH -value).
However, it is important to note that the electrical charge does not give the water any other “special therapeutic properties.” Any hydrogen water, even without the use of electricity (e.g. using tablets or by injecting the H2 gas into the water), will also have a negative ORP value.
The negative ORP value is simply an indicator of the presence of dissolved H2 gas and does not indicate whether electricity was used to create this hydrogen water.
Research clearly shows that dissolved H2 gas is responsible for the therapeutic benefits, not any other property of the water.
As we will see later, the magnitude of the measured ORP negative value also does not provide any useful information about the level of hydrogen gas dissolved in the water.
Excerpt from the book by Randy Sharpe: “The relationship between dissolved H2, pH and redox potential”
