The Source — the HYDROGENYX Journal
Dietary antioxidants vs molecular hydrogen — the selectivity question
Paul Fournier
Dietary antioxidants (vitamins C, E, polyphenols) vs. molecular hydrogen (H2): the question of selectivity. Why they are not competitors, but complementary tools.
Not all antioxidants are created equal
The word "antioxidant" encompasses hundreds of very different molecules: vitamins (C, E, A), polyphenols (resveratrol, quercetin, EGCG from green tea), carotenoids, endogenous glutathione, melatonin, and—since 2007—molecular hydrogen. Their common point: they donate an electron to an oxidizing species to neutralize it. Their difference: selectivity.
The problem with non-selective antioxidants
Vitamin C indiscriminately neutralizes •OH (toxic), O2•- (signaling), H2O2 (signaling). In large quantities, it can therefore harm cellular signaling—hence the controversies surrounding mega-doses (SELECT trial 2009 on vitamin E + selenium which showed an increased risk of prostate cancer). ROS are not just waste products: O2•- and H2O2 are used to activate Nrf2, to signal stress and adaptation, and to regulate the phosphorylation of hormone receptors.
The selectivity of H2 according to Ohsawa 2007
The seminal study published in Nature Medicine (Ohsawa et al., 2007, DOI 10.1038/nm1577) demonstrated: H2 reacts only with the two most toxic species—hydroxyl radical (•OH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-)—without affecting O2•-, H2O2, NO. It is this selectivity that distinguishes H2 from other oral antioxidants: it neutralizes pathogenic ROS, while preserving signaling ROS. Results observed in studies (experimental models)—not a promise of individual results.
Selectivity table
| Antioxidant | •OH | ONOO- | H2O2 | O2•- | NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Vitamin E | Yes | Weak | No | Weak | No |
| Polyphenols | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | No |
| Glutathione | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| H2 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
The other difference: pharmacokinetics
Oral vitamin C reaches adipose tissue in 30-60 minutes but saturates at 200 mg/day (renal excretion). Polyphenols are metabolized by first-pass hepatic metabolism—< 10% reach systemic circulation. H2 passively diffuses across all biological membranes in a few minutes, reaches the mitochondria and cell nucleus, and does not saturate. Its blood half-life is short (10-15 min) but it penetrates tissues inaccessible to most oral antioxidants (brain, testicle, retina).
Conclusion: no competition
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and green tea remains the foundation. H2 is not a substitute—it is a supplement that specifically targets the most toxic radicals, without interfering with ROS useful for signaling. HYDROGENYX Flask is designed by a French brand (manufacturing entrusted to a specialized industrial partner): concentration announced by the manufacturer up to 9,000 PPB, each batch controlled with DPD reagent (filmed measurement), after-sales service and warranty in France. Enough to integrate this molecule into a sober daily routine.
To learn more
Read our 7 key H2 studies 2026 or the H2 vs. ozone comparison.
HYDROGENYX · Paul Fournier · French brand · After-sales service and warranty in France · 5-year warranty · 60-day money-back guarantee
The HYDROGENYX Flask is a water preparation device, not a medical device. It does not prevent, treat, or cure any disease.
HYDROGENYX Flask
The hydrogen ritual, ready in 5 minutes.
Up to ~9,000 ppb of dissolved molecular hydrogen (manufacturer's data), verifiable at home with a DPD test. 400 ml, touch screen, wireless charging base included.
60-day money-back guarantee · 5-year cell warranty · 4× Klarna
The HYDROGENYX Flask is a water preparation device, not a medical device. It does not prevent, treat, or cure any disease.
To go further: the science of hydrogen · the comparison · the FAQ
