What if I told you that there was a drink that could not only hydrate you, it could also help improve your athletic performance? If you’re an athlete, you would probably want to know more. Fortunately, there is such a beverage, and you may be surprised to learn that this new energy drink is inexpensive, free from artificial ingredients, and used by athletes around the world to improve health, increase energy levels, and decrease recovery time from workouts.

It’s hydrogen-rich water and it can help you take your athletic goals to the next level.

Hydrogen Water and Increased Energy

Who doesn’t want more energy? The New York Times recently reported on a survey that found that 32 percent of American high school athletes drink energy beverages (not sports drinks but caffeine and sugar-laden energy drinks) in an effort to boost performance.

There are much healthier ways to increase energy and improve workouts. New research shows that one of the best ways to increase energy levels is to drink hydrogen-rich water.

A 2014 study published in Research in Sports Medicine found that physically active men who drank hydrogen-rich water for two weeks “significantly increased” fasting arterial blood pH and post-exercise pH when compared to men who drank only water pre-workout. Increased pH levels equate to an “alkaline” state in the blood and this alkalinity has been linked to increased energy levels and mental acuity.

More energy and sharper focus equal better workouts.

Hydrogen Water and Recovery

Increased energy is only one piece of the athletic performance puzzle. Athletes also need to recover adequately from their workouts in order to build endurance and strength. It doesn’t matter whether you are a swimmer, a Cross Fit enthusiast, or a runner, when you workout, the muscle contractions in your body cause oxidative stress, a condition that can increase fatigue and cause the inflammation that leads to injury. Hydrogen-rich water helps to reduce this oxidative stress and improve recovery time.

For this double-blind study published in the journal Medical Gas Research researchers followed ten soccer players during their intensive training regimen. Half of the players were given hydrogen-rich water to drink before their workouts while the remaining players were given regular water. After one week, researchers found that the players who drank hydrogen-rich water before working out had lower blood lactate levels and less exercise-induced decline of muscle function than the players who drank only water. In other words, the participants who drank hydrogen rich water were recovering more quickly from their workouts than those who were drinking plain water.

Faster recovery means more time for quality workouts and that equates to improved performance.

Hydrogen rich water can help boost energy levels and reduce the amount of time needed for athletes to recover from their workouts. If you’re ready to take your athletic performance to the next level, it’s time to give hydrogen rich water a try.