Antioxidant hydrogen and electron donors
work by neutralizing free radicals by donating hydrogen atoms or electrons, which stabilizes the free radical and prevents it from damaging cells. This is a key mechanism for many antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and polyphenols, which are effective because their bonds can donate a hydrogen atom (which contains both a proton and an electron) or a free electron. Hydrogen gas (
H2cap H sub 2
𝐻2
) can also act as an electron donor, reacting with hydroxyl radicals to form water.
Donating a hydrogen atom: Many antioxidants donate a hydrogen atom to a free radical, which has an unpaired electron. This completes the free radical's electron shell, making it stable and ending the damaging chain reaction.Donating an electron: Antioxidants can also donate a free electron to a free radical to neutralize it.Stabilizing the resulting radical: The antioxidant itself becomes a relatively stable radical after donation, often through resonance (delocalization of electrons).Hydrogen gas ((H_{2})): Molecular hydrogen ((H_{2})) is a unique electron donor. It can selectively react with the most harmful free radicals, like the hydroxyl radical ((\cdot OH)), to form water ((H_{2}O)), thus protecting vital cellular components.
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Molecular Hydrogen 𝐻2
Elemental potassium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen-generating tablets: You can create a supplement with potassium, citric acid, and magnesium that generates molecular hydrogen when dissolved in water.
When you add water to a tablet containing potassium, citric acid, and magnesium, a reaction occurs that releases molecular hydrogen gas, which then dissolves into the water. The potassium citrate part of the formula can provide additional benefits as a mineral supplement.
Molecular hydrogen water tablets use a reaction between magnesium and natural organic acids like tartaric acid to release hydrogen gas when dissolved in water. When you drop a tablet into water, the magnesium reacts with the acids, creating molecular hydrogen bubbles that you can drink.
Magnesium + Acids = Hydrogen: The tablet contains elemental magnesium and natural acids such as tartaric acid, malic acid, and adipic acid.Dissolving: When the tablet is added to water, the magnesium and acids react with each other.