The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Jie, is a colorful Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually in late May or June. This year, the festival falls on June 10th. A key tradition of the festival is the dragon boat race, believed to have originated when people raced out in boats to rescue the poet Qu Yuan after he drowned in protest of corruption.
What is a Dragon Boat Race?
Dragon boat races feature long, elaborately decorated boats with dragon heads, powered by teams of 20 to 30 paddlers who row in perfect sync to the beat of a drum. These races are intense, and athletes undergo rigorous training focused on strength, cardio, and teamwork.
Hydrogen-Rich Water (HRW) and Dragon Boat Athletes
A 2021 study tested whether drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) could improve performance for 18 dragon boat athletes who trained for 4 hours daily. Split into an HRW group and a placebo group, the athletes drank HRW or regular water during training for seven days. Daily rowing tests and heart rate monitoring showed that:
- HRW increased both maximum and average power during rowing tests.
- The HRW group had significantly lower heart rates post-exercise compared to the placebo group.
These results suggest that HRW could be an effective hydration method for athletes, boosting performance and aiding recovery.
How Does HRW Improve Performance?
Intense exercise can lead to oxidative stress, causing fatigue and increasing the risk of injury. Hydrogen acts as a selective antioxidant, neutralizing harmful free radicals like hydroxyl radicals, which can damage cells. HRW’s benefits include:
- Reduced Fatigue and Improved Performance: HRW counters exercise-induced fatigue and enhances performance in endurance training and sprints.
- Faster Recovery: By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, HRW speeds up heart rate recovery and muscle healing.
Where to Get Hydrogen-Rich Water
You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from HRW. There are several ways to produce hydrogen-rich water:
- Devices: Countertop machines or water bottles use electrolysis to produce controlled hydrogen levels.
- Consumable Inserts: Reusable hydrogen sticks or generators react with water to release hydrogen gas.
- Magnesium Tablets: These tablets create a chemical reaction that releases hydrogen gas but may affect magnesium levels.
For easy access to hydrogen-rich water, the Echo Go+ Hydrogen Water Bottle is a great option. It produces 2.5–4.5 PPM of hydrogen through a 5- or 10-minute electrolysis cycle. If you need more water, try the Hydrogen Water Pitcher or the Echo Ultimate Hydrogen Water Machine to enjoy the benefits of HRW anytime.
