The effects of superoxygenated water compared with regular bottled water on heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation

Abstract

This study measured and compared the effects of superoxygenated water (SW) to regular bottled water (RW) on heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (% saturation), and rates of desaturation/resaturation (112 times) in response to artificially induced Rypoxia. Methods: 20 subjects were randomly assigned to drink either 20 oz or 40 oz of SW for one trial and RW for the other trial. After a 30-minute rest period following ingestion of the assigned water, subjects inhaled a 40% oxygen mixture for 3 minutes followed by 5 minutes of breathing room air. This breathing cycle was repeated 2 more times consecutively. Results: No significant differences were found in HR, % saturation, or 1/2 times between SW and RW trials. Conclusion: In artificially induced hypoxia, SW results in no significant changes in HR, % saturation, or rates of saturation change compared 80 RW, suggesting benefits to exercise performance would be unlikely to result from ingestion of SW.