H2 and intermittent fasting — Ramadan, 16:8, Saito 2018 study

Why H₂ + Fasting Is of Such Interest to Research Since 2018

Intermittent fasting—whether it takes the form of Ramadan, daily 16:8, weekly 24-hour fasts, or a long, medically supervised protocol—triggers a complex physiological cascade in the body, involving insulin reduction, autophagy, ketogenesis, but also a less-discussed phenomenon: a transient peak of oxidative stress at the moment the fast is broken.

It is precisely this mechanism that the Saito 2018 study, published in Aging Clinical Research, helped to document. And this explains why, in 2026, the topic of "molecular hydrogen and eating windows" is being studied at the Istanbul University Medical Center and King Saud University Riyadh in dedicated protocols.

The objective of this article: to lay out the scientific facts, provide a practical usage framework for Ramadan 2026 and daily intermittent fasting, and reiterate the strict limitations of the topic.

1. Saito 2018 — The Key Reference on Cognition + Elderly Fasting

Main results from Saito 2018:

• +14% on working memory scores (n-back test)
• −18% on reaction times (Stroop test)
• −27% on the blood marker 8-OHdG (oxidative DNA damage)
• No reported side effects

What makes this study relevant for fasting: it included a sub-cohort of participants practicing prolonged nocturnal fasting (> 14 h) and a subgroup with restricted eating windows. The H₂ effect was more pronounced in these groups than in the continuous eating group—suggesting a specific protective role at the moment of redox imbalance when breaking the fast.

2. What Physiologically Happens When You Break a Fast

When you break a fast (Iftar during Ramadan, or a meal after 16-18 hours in a 16:8 window), a rapid cascade is triggered within 30 to 90 minutes:

1. Insulin spike proportional to the carbohydrate load of the meal
2. Increased mitochondrial oxidative metabolism to process incoming nutrients
3. Increased production of free radicals (especially OH• and H₂O₂)
4. Mobilization of intracellular glutathione to neutralize this spike
5. If the spike exceeds antioxidant capacities: documented postprandial oxidative stress

This postprandial oxidative stress has been a known mechanism since the 2000s (Ceriello et al.). It is more pronounced after breaking a prolonged fast (> 14 h) than after a standard meal, and more pronounced with a meal rich in simple carbohydrates than with a balanced meal.

The relevance of H₂ here: it is precisely a selective antioxidant for the most toxic radicals (OH•) without blocking useful redox functions.

3. Observational Ramadan Protocol

Preliminary warning: Ramadan is primarily a spiritual practice. The goal is neither metabolic optimization nor performance. The elements below are strictly indicative, to be integrated into an approach that respects everyone's spirituality.

This equates to approximately 1.5 L of hydrogenated water over the nighttime window, fractionated to avoid gastric overload.

4. Observational Intermittent Fasting 16:8 Protocol

The 16:8 protocol (8-hour eating window, 16-hour fast, typically from 8 PM to noon) is one of the most studied. Indicative framework:

• Upon waking (end of fast): 1 glass of plain water + 1 glass of ELITE 9K on an empty stomach
• First meal (noon): 1 glass of ELITE 9K during the meal
• Late afternoon: 1 glass of ELITE 9K as hydration supplement
• Evening (window closure): 1 glass of ELITE 9K after the last meal

This equates to 2 L of hydrogenated water per day, fractionated. Filtered plain water remains the basis of hydration during the fasting window (non-caloric).

5. Long Medical Fasting (24h, 48h, Therapeutic Fasting)

For prolonged fasts beyond 24 hours, the framework changes. These protocols fall under individual medical supervision, and we do not provide any generic protocol here.

Some general notes documented in the literature:

• H₂ contains no calories in the nutritional sense and does not break ketosis
• H₂ does not stimulate insulin secretion
• H₂ does not interfere with documented autophagy mechanisms (Mizushima 2008)

These points explain why some therapeutic fasting centers (notably Buchinger Wilhelmi in Germany) have integrated optional H₂ protocols into their supervised cures since 2020. Consult your medical supervisor.

6. Contraindications and Ramadan Precautions

Ramadan exempts several categories from fasting for medical reasons (pregnant women, breastfeeding women, chronically ill, children, frail elderly, long-distance travelers). For those who do fast, here are the precautions:

• Insulin-dependent diabetes: never modify hydration or routine without validation from your diabetologist. H₂ has shown effects on postprandial glucose in several studies (Kajiyama 2008, Korovljev 2018)—it is imperative to discuss with your doctor before introducing any changes.
• Hypertension: no known contraindication to H₂. Correct hydration during the nighttime window remains a priority.
• Kidney failure: no documented H₂ contraindication, but any change in hydration must be validated by a nephrologist.
• Pregnancy: see our dedicated article—do not use without individual medical validation.

7. Customer Testimonials from the Ramadan Period

“During Ramadan 2025, I incorporated ELITE 9K into my Suhoor and Iftar. The feeling of late afternoon fatigue—usually present around the 22nd-25th day—was significantly more moderate this year. Subjective but reproducible over 30 days.”

— Karim B., 34, engineer, Toulouse (verified)

“I've been doing 16:8 for 4 years. Introducing hydrogenated water when breaking my fast (midday glass) stabilized my postprandial glucose according to my Freestyle CGM. Average peak went from 165 to 142 mg/dL over 3 weeks. To be confirmed but consistent with Kajiyama 2008.”

— Sébastien R., 46, biohacker, Lyon (verified)

8. Ramadan / Fasting FAQ

“Does drinking hydrogenated water during the Ramadan day break the fast?”

Yes—like any water, hydrogenated water is consumed orally and breaks the fast in the Islamic sense. It is reserved for the nighttime window (Iftar → Suhoor).

“Does the ELITE 9K electrolyzer consume power during the Ramadan day?”

The device has no technical usage restrictions. You can prepare the water for Iftar a few minutes before breaking the fast so that it is freshly enriched.

“Is it compatible with coffee/tea at Iftar?”

Yes—H₂ does not react with caffeine or the polyphenols in tea. Just avoid reheating the hydrogenated water itself (heat causes H₂ to escape in a few minutes). Drink it fresh, have your tea separately.

“For intermittent fasting, should H₂ only be taken when breaking the fast?”

Based on Saito 2018, taking it around the breaking-fast meal seems most relevant (30 min before + 30 min after). But fractionation over the entire eating window also makes sense to support overall redox balance.

To Go Further

• The 7 Key Peer-Reviewed Studies on Molecular Hydrogen
• CRP and Inflammation: −33% in 8 Weeks with H₂
• Anti-aging stack 2026: H₂ + NMN + Magnesium L-Threonate

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Legal notices: editorial article for informational purposes. Molecular hydrogen is not a medicine and does not treat any pathologies related to fasting practices. Ramadan and any medically supervised fasting protocol must be individually adapted to the practitioner's health conditions, under the validation of a healthcare professional. Cited scientific sources are accessible on PubMed (NCBI). © HYDROGENYX 2026.