There’s no scientific evidence that drinking hydrogen peroxide yields benefits. Plus, doing so is linked to dangerous side effects, including breathing problems, severe gut damage, and death.
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear, odorless, and colorless liquid consisting of hydrogen and oxygen. It’s available in dilutions ranging from 3–90%, some of which are sometimes used as an alternative health remedy.
Advocates suggest that drinking a few drops of hydrogen peroxide diluted in water may help treat a range of illnesses, including diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
However, medical professionals warn against the dangers of this practice.
This article takes a look at the latest evidence to determine whether the benefits of drinking hydrogen peroxide outweigh its potential risks.
Hydrogen peroxide can typically be found in four categories of dilution, each of them used for specific purposes (1):
- 3% hydrogen peroxide. Also referred to as household hydrogen peroxide, this type is typically used to clean or disinfect minor wounds. It’s the one you’re most likely to find in your local supermarket or drugstore.
- 6–10% hydrogen peroxide. This concentration is most commonly used to bleach hair.
- 35% hydrogen peroxide. Commonly referred to as food grade hydrogen peroxide, this variety is typically found in health food stores and promoted as a cure to various ailments and diseases.
- 90% hydrogen peroxide. Also known as industrial hydrogen peroxide, it’s typically used to bleach paper and textiles, make foam rubber or rocket fuel, or as a substitute for chlorine in water and sewage treatment.
Some people believe that drinking a few drops of food grade hydrogen peroxide that has been diluted in water can help improve your health by bringing extra oxygen into your body.
They believe that this extra oxygen can help treat various ailments, such as sore throat, arthritis, diabetes, AIDS, lupus, and even some forms of cancer.
However, there’s little evidence to support these claims. In fact, hydrogen peroxide production by cancerous cells in the body is known to increase inflammation and accelerate the progression of disease (
Moreover, doctors warn that drinking hydrogen peroxide can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, some of which can be deadly in some cases (1,
summaryHydrogen peroxide comes in various concentrations, ranging from 3–90%. Despite claims that dilutions made using food grade or 35% hydrogen peroxide can help cure various ailments, there’s little scientific evidence of this.
Despite the purported benefits of drinking hydrogen peroxide, research and medical experts agree that drinking this compound can have serious side effects.
When drunk, hydrogen peroxide reacts with a natural enzyme in your body, producing very high amounts of oxygen.
When the amount of oxygen produced is too high to physically burp out, it can cross over from your gut into your blood vessels, leading to potential complications, such as heart attacks or stroke (
The severity of complications depends on the volume and concentration of the hydrogen peroxide that was ingested.
For instance, accidentally swallowing a small amount of household 3% hydrogen peroxide usually causes minor symptoms, such as bloating, mild stomach pain, and in some cases, vomiting.
However, ingesting larger amounts or higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause ulcers, a perforated gut, and mouth, throat, and stomach burns. In severe cases, it may result in breathing problems, fainting, and even death (
Food grade hydrogen peroxide is over 10 times more concentrated than the household variety. Moreover, instructions on how to dilute it vary from one seller to another, and its safety hasn’t been evaluated.
Therefore, using food grade hydrogen peroxide to make your own dilutions increases the risk you’ll consume a higher concentration, and as a result, experience its more severe side effects.
summaryDrinking hydrogen peroxide can have many side effects, including gut irritation or perforation, breathing problems, and even death. The severity of these effects depends on the quantity and concentration of the hydrogen peroxide consumed.
According to the National Poison Control center, adults and children who accidentally ingested small amounts of household 3% hydrogen peroxide should call their helpline for immediate assistance (5).
On the other hand, children and adults who swallowed large amounts of hydrogen peroxide — or any amount with a higher concentration than those of household dilutions — should seek immediate medical assistance from the closest emergency room.
summaryIf you have ingested small amounts of 3% hydrogen peroxide, call your local poison control helpline for assistance. If you have swallowed larger amounts or higher concentrations, seek immediate medical assistance from an emergency room.
Hydrogen peroxide is touted as an alternative health remedy for a range of health conditions.
However, there’s no scientific evidence that drinking it yields any benefits. Plus, doing so is linked to dangerous side effects, including breathing problems, severe gut damage, and in some cases, death.
For these reasons, drinking any concentration or amount of hydrogen peroxide is not recommended.
I'm well-versed in the topic of hydrogen peroxide and its potential health implications. My knowledge extends to the chemical properties of hydrogen peroxide, its various dilutions, and the claims and risks associated with drinking it as a health remedy.
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear, odorless liquid composed of hydrogen and oxygen. It is available in different dilutions, ranging from 3% to 90%, each serving specific purposes. The article discusses four categories of dilution:
- 3% hydrogen peroxide: Commonly used for cleaning wounds.
- 6–10% hydrogen peroxide: Mainly used for hair bleaching.
- 35% hydrogen peroxide: Referred to as food-grade hydrogen peroxide, promoted as a remedy for various ailments.
- 90% hydrogen peroxide: Known as industrial hydrogen peroxide, used for specific industrial purposes.
Advocates suggest that consuming diluted food-grade hydrogen peroxide may offer health benefits, including the treatment of illnesses like diabetes and certain forms of cancer. However, the article emphasizes the lack of scientific evidence supporting these claims. In fact, it mentions that hydrogen peroxide production by cancerous cells in the body can increase inflammation and disease progression.
The risks associated with drinking hydrogen peroxide are significant. When ingested, it reacts with a natural enzyme in the body, producing excessive oxygen. This can lead to serious complications, such as heart attacks or strokes, depending on the volume and concentration ingested. The severity of side effects includes bloating, stomach pain, vomiting, ulcers, perforated gut, and even death in extreme cases.
The article recommends seeking immediate medical assistance if larger amounts or higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are ingested. The National Poison Control center advises calling their helpline for assistance with small ingestions of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
In conclusion, despite claims of alternative health benefits, there is no scientific evidence supporting the consumption of hydrogen peroxide. The associated risks, including severe health complications and potential death, make it strongly discouraged.
