A former Oxford University scientist has revealed the way to a longer and healthier life is through drinking water. But not just any water, it’s a rare form of hydrogen enriched ‘heavy water’ that could add ten more years to a person’s life.

As well as water, Dr Mikhail Shchepinov believes that by modifying foods with the same form of hydrogen a person can increase the age they live to and improve their health at the same time.

The diet involves protecting against decay by free radicals, the chemicals that are produced when food is turned into energy by the body. Free radicals are harmful to the body’s tissues and cells and damage to proteins by these chemicals may be linked to the onset of cancer and dementia related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The form of hydrogen that provides the basis of Dr Shchepinov’s theory is called ‘deuterium’ and is twice the weight of normal hydrogen (hence the term ‘heavy water’). His studies found that heavy water increases the lifespan of worms by 10% and fruitflies by up to 30%.

If food were to be created using the heavy hydrogen, it could be done through supplements or by enriched feed given to farm animals which we then consume.

While we all wait for the introduction of ‘heavy water’ and ‘heavy foods’, a balanced nutritional diet is the ideal way to directly benefit your health.

Information about nutrition and how to find a nutritional therapist is available here