As a health enthusiast, you may have seen a lot of advertising lately promoting liquid acid drops as a way to improve performance. But does liquid oxygen really work as a way to improve your performance and well-being or is it just a waste of money?
What are Liquid Oxygen Supplements?
Liquid oxygen supplements are products sold online and in some stores that claim to add extra oxygen to the human body, often through a chemical process in the digestive system, like the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide or magnesium peroxide.
Do Liquid Oxygen Supplements Work?
These claims are not supported by scientific evidence. The human body is very efficient at absorbing oxygen from the air we breathe, and there is no credible evidence that ingesting liquid oxygen supplements can increase blood oxygen levels in healthy individuals.
Despite no evidence of improved exercise performance, a more recent study suggests that ingestion of Oxygen Supplements could enhance post-exercise recovery via increased lactate clearance.
According to this study critics of oxygen-enriched beverages often argue that the human body cannot efficiently absorb oxygen through the digestive system. Nonetheless, research involving animals, specifically rabbits and kittens, has shown that solutions with high oxygen concentrations can indeed transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, specifically into the hepatic portal vein.
These investigations, however, did not evaluate how such diffusion affects overall or limb-specific blood oxygen levels, making it too early to suggest any potential benefits for muscle performance. Currently, there’s no evidence to confirm that the human digestive tract can absorb oxygen in this manner.
Earlier studies involving humans have employed techniques like pulse oximetry and blood gas analysis to measure blood oxygen levels, generally finding no significant impact on oxygen saturation. The effect of oxygenated drinks on oxygen levels within muscle tissues remains unexplored.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers liquid oxygen supplements to be unsafe and ineffective, and has warned consumers against using them. The FDA has also taken action against some companies that have made false or misleading claims about these products.
Here are some reasons why liquid oxygen supplements are not recommended:
- They are unlikely to work. The body absorbs oxygen from the air we breathe through the lungs. There is no evidence that ingesting liquid oxygen supplements can increase blood oxygen levels in healthy individuals.
- They may be unsafe. Some liquid oxygen supplements contain ingredients that can be harmful if ingested.
- They can be expensive. Liquid oxygen supplements can be expensive, and there is no evidence that they offer any health benefits.
If you are considering using liquid oxygen supplements, it is important to talk to your doctor first. They can help you understand the risks and benefits of these products and make an informed decision about whether or not they are right for you.
Summary – Does Liquid Oxygen Supplements Really Work?
Taking a closer look at the ingredients of the most heavily marketed liquid oxygen product right now, the ingredients include peppermint, coconut oil, wintergreen and menthol. In other words, these are natural ingredients that can all be purchased at health food stores, for example. Is it the composition (mix) of these that is the secret behind all the claims of performance enhancement in athletes?
According to the site selling these drops, there are independent scientific studies showing that the ingredients in this essential oil blend resulted in increased strength, faster reaction time, better endurance and higher oxygen flow.
Is this true? The site has a separate page referring to studies done with sources including BioMed Central and the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports. However, there are no links to the studies on this page.
There may be studies that prove the effect, but for me personally, I need more convincing evidence to believe that they really do have a significant effect on sports performance.
