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The Independent
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
I tried a £299 hydrogen water bottle - but is it worth the price?
'Thousands have lived without love, not one without water,' said W. H. Auden. Though water is life's most essential and vital resource, the majority of Brits drink less than a litre of water a day – far below the recommended daily dose. Our chronic dehydration is a problem because water is vital for the health of every single cell, tissue and organ in our bodies. It regulates our body temperature, aids our digestive system, helps our kidneys clear out toxins and waste, lubricates and cushions joints, and can even help you lose weight. In countries where tap water is safe to drink, drinking enough water is considered one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay healthy. Sure, you can splurge on pricey water from health shops, or add electrolytes, but just glugging eight glasses a day right from the tap is enough to keep us healthy and hydrated. Given how fundamental hydration is to health, it's no surprise that wellness trends often centre around enhancing the way we consume it. WaterTok gave us a fascination with Stanley Cups and AirUp bottles and now, hydrogen water bottles have entered the scene. When I heard about the hydrogen water bottle phenomenon I was intrigued but sceptical. Ranging in price from £25 to £300, these water bottles infuse regular water with added hydrogen molecules that supposedly offer wellbeing benefits. What is hydrogen water? Devotees claim drinking hydrogen water can do everything from help with blood sugar control and weight management to reduced cholesterol and inflammation. It's also said to help with seasonal allergies, fatigue, skin health and athletic performance thanks to its antioxidant properties. Though sceptics have pointed out that hydrogen, being a gas, may not remain in water long enough to deliver actual benefits. Some health experts also maintain that our bodies already have built-in antioxidant systems that work efficiently enough on their own. On TikTok, where hydrogen water is much-discussed, there are two very clear camps: on one side, those professing hydrogen water has changed their lives (and, suspiciously, sometimes offering discount codes for viewers), and those rolling their eyes, calling the trend a scam and marvelling that people pay good money for 'a bottle that makes water into water'. One of the biggest proponents for hydrogen water is Gary Brecka, a biologist and biohacker. On his podcast The Ultimate Human, Brecka waxes lyrical about the unique benefits of hydrogen water. Brecka says that science shows it's, 'the best water you can put in your body'. But given that water is the most abundant substance on the planet, and its health benefits are already practically endless, do we really need to try to 'hack' it? Julia Etman, a nutritionist at Healf, says that the core benefit of hydrogenised water that's been observed in studies is antioxidant support but there isn't a great deal of data to support far-reaching health claims. 'While research is ongoing, early findings suggest hydrogen-enriched water could help counter oxidative stress – one of the key contributors to cellular ageing and fatigue. It's also being explored for its potential role in supporting overall cellular and metabolic health.' 'Molecular hydrogen is one of the smallest and most bioavailable molecules in nature,' she explains. 'It can slip into cells, where it may help neutralise harmful free radicals – the kind produced by poor sleep, stress, or intense physical activity. What sets it apart is its selective antioxidant action, meaning it only targets the bad free radicals, leaving the beneficial ones to do their job. "Preliminary research suggests that by reducing oxidative stress, hydrogen water may support better nutrient absorption and contribute to a balanced gut microbiome, further enhancing overall wellbeing. Some people report improvements in energy, recovery, and inflammation.' While Julia says that 'scepticism is always valid' and that there's no "one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing', she points to a growing body of research – more than 1,300 studies globally – which examine the effects of molecular hydrogen, including in water form. 'While some early studies suggest potential benefits for inflammation, metabolism, athletic recovery, and even mood, the science is still developing,' Julia adds. 'Most studies are small-scale or preliminary, and more robust, long-term human trials are needed. The results are encouraging, but not yet conclusive.' The jury seemed to be out on the effects so I decided to order the Echo Water Flask at an eye-watering £299 to test them for myself.
Metro
27-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
Are you getting old or is M&S suddenly cool? The truth revealed
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Clutching a bulging M&S shopping bag, a young woman – no older than 25 – holds it up to the camera and declares she's 'done some damage'. Then she asks her TikTok followers a dilemma that has been on all our minds: 'Am I old or is M&S just so good now?' Gen-Zer Meg Helm's adoration for her high street haul is met with a flurry of opinions divided on whether she should be worried. It's a question that has been frequently asked on social media over the last few months, as many of us wonder if our ageing process has suddenly picked up speed while checking out the rails of Marks & Spencer. Thankfully, there is no need to start bulk buying hyaluronic acid just yet, as it turns out that 141-year-old M&S has done a bit of a Benjamin Button, with the British high street staple being transformed from the place your nan buys her elastic-waisted linen trousers to one of Gen Z's favourite stockists. The sudden revitalisation of M&S is no coincidence, but largely the work of the very fashion-savvy Maddy Evans. She joined the women's fashion department in 2019 after leaving her role at Topshop as head of buying, and has recently been promoted to a newly created role, director of womenswear. When Maddy hopped on board, M&S sales were plummeting – they'd fallen out of the FTSE 100 and then chief executive, Steve Rowe, even admitted that they had a reputation for 'frumpiness'. Now it's a different story entirely, with M&S clothing and home division sales increased 5.3% year-on-year in their most recent financial results. Of course, Maddy didn't do it alone — her team of clothing Avengers who joined her around the same time include head of womenswear design Lisa Illis (formerly Nike), and head of merchandising for womenswear Helen Wilson (also Topshop alumni). Let's be real, this isn't a complete underdog rising through the ranks. M&S has always had a strong presence (aka 'that girl' in young people's speak) since it first emerged on the high street in 1884, but recently they've managed to turn themselves front and centre of the fashion conversation. We've seen this happen to other legacy brands before, perhaps most famously when Stanley cups went from an item favoured almost exclusively by outdoor enthusiasts to the ultimate accessory after #WaterTok got their lips around the straws. While the M&S food hall was once the centre of attention (items such as their speckled egg cookies are still putting up a great argument for our cash), now their womenswear has become equally sought-after. Many people are even making comparisons to Zara – the long-time go-to for fashion fans. Just last month, a £65 cropped utility jacket had the girlies arriving at stores for opening time with nothing but a restock dream and their Monzo cards. One friend recently disclosed to me that she was crowded around the item at 8am on a weekday with two other keen women. In a true moment of sisterhood, they all tried on the last three jackets before walking to the cash register together. Fashion stylist Lynne McKenna has been in the industry for two decades and has been in awe of the high street store's recent efforts. 'Part of my job is pulling pieces for photo shoots, and I would often go to M&S for the wardrobe staples or their big moments like Alexa Chung's collection in 2016, but now when I visit, everything is incredible,' she tells Metro. Lynne believes the start of this exciting chapter in their journey began with the Sienna Miller collection in September 2023. The ultimate cool girl's 33-piece clothing line instantly captured shoppers' attention, with many items selling out quickly. Her barrel leg jeans were particularly sought-after and restocked three times. This must-have factor has gradually spilt into every section from denim to tailoring and eveningwear. And the numbers speak for themselves – women's partywear sales are up 49%, and knitwear has risen by 23%. 'I could fill trolleys,' Lynne adds excitedly, as she chats about the stores' current ranges. She puts their success down to their ability to have a little something for everyone. In the most simplistic terms, M&S are creating garments that a lot of people want to wear. 'They're very clever at designing things that are multipurpose for multi-generations. I could wear it, my mum could wear it, and my friend's teenage daughter could wear it. 'For instance, they are selling a pair of wide-leg trousers with a stripe down for £35. The younger people wear it with a really cool crop jacket, I may do it with a baggy roll neck jumper, and then the older generation could choose a crisp white shirt. 'It's because the store started looking at not only who's wearing their clothes, but who they want to wear them as well. Plus, the quality is high-end, but prices are still achievable for many.' Lynne says that engaging in the social media world and collaborating with different ages has also been vital to their success. IT girls of the digital realm, such as Sarah Louise Blythe, Naomi Ross, and AJ Odudu, have all been plastered over M&S's Instagram. Meanwhile, social media management platform Social Sprout shared with Metro that in a recent 30-day period, there were 3.76 billion impressions on M&S's social media and an average of 3,284 engagements each day. That's without even taking into consideration the thousands of fan videos. Previously, shopping in M&S may have been something you whispered about, but now women are holding mini mics to spread the word online. One of the young fans doing just that is Anna Corkill, 24 – she is part of a group of TikTokers giving the high street store free marketing by sharing hauls. 'M&S is a trending topic for my generation, with people making it a prime stop for new outfits which I haven't seen before. My videos that feature them usually get high engagement,' she explains. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Anna has deciphered that it's not just the clothes contributing to the influx of young shoppers. Giving individual branches their own social media accounts to create localised content has made them fun and aspirational. Who doesn't want to see the Romford branch staff lip sync to DJ Khaled ft Rihanna's Wild Thoughts interwoven with shots of a Percy Pig cuddly teddy? TIKTOK 'The shop has always been an icon in British society — I got my first ever bra from there — but there was also this idea that it was mainly a brand for my stylish nan but not for me,' adds Anna. 'However, I have now noticed their product offering has developed to be more trend-led, which has drawn a younger crowd.' Now focused on 'creating greater visibility, improving replenishment, and reducing excess stock commitment and storage', M&S can keep up with trends after it ditched a slower supply chain under Maddy's reign. Part of this plan includes investing in new warehouse capacity to 'improve availability and speed up delivery and returns'. Influencer Yaz Moore, 25, has also noticed the effect of these changes and says that it is incredibly important, as her peers enjoy following trends. 'Our fashion choices reflect cultural relevance, and a strong digital influence – TikTok trends, influencer hauls, and what celebrities are wearing. Currently, we're drawn to the minimalist clean girl aesthetic, quiet luxury, and love a good athleisure moment,' she says, pointing out that M&S now ticks those boxes. 'Seeing influencers styling their pieces in a modern way helped change the perception,' she adds. 'One viral video can push a brand into the spotlight and have it sell out overnight. I went to my local M&S for a trench coat I'd seen in videos, and it was gone off the shelves. The response to my own videos has been insane.' Having a front-row seat to the fashion industry, Lynne is excited about what the recent activity at the store could mean, especially after a hard few years. More Trending 'A lot of brands were playing it quite safe and going for simplicity as lockdown affected our tastes. Everyone just went off fashion for a bit, and it has taken a long time to recover, longer than we thought,' she explains. 'But now, when I walk down the high street, I see exciting stuff from other places too like Abercrombie and River Island. They've all got a burst of fashion excitement. 'It's encouraging some nice, healthy competition and they're all making each other better. Fashion is definitely back – and it seems like M&S are leading it.' Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Mango's tote bag looks far more premium than it's £22 price tag MORE: The Pope's funeral had a strict dress code — but not everyone followed the rules MORE: My daughter might have lived if doctors had told us the truth
