March: All Wet

Popping Corks on Champagne & Hydrogen Water

Giggle: That Guy sinks Chef Showy’s TV career with the pop of a cork.

Meet Chef Showy: Tonight, he debuts his future as a celebrity chef, on live television from his restaurant where foodies paid top dollar for seats.

Meet Penny: She’s a pickpocket and a petty thief. Her bank account is full of her victim’s money!

Meet Toddy: He’s a pseudo sommelier whose nose is stuck permanently in the air. Everything about this guy is fake: his sommelier pin, his fake certificate, and his lip service about wine. He was born with a chip on his shoulder and detests everyone, especially That Guy, who just broke the house rules and brought his own bubbly.

Gab: In My Cellar

Vintage Champagnes and Hydrogen Water

Just as I shall never forget my first sip of Salon 1996, my first taste of hydrogen water was a watershed moment. Today hydrogen water is the first thing I drink every morning, before coffee. I also keep stashes in my fridge, boxes in the pantry, and a subscription to keep it coming to my door.

In 2019, concerned about an older friend’s mental decline, I stumbled upon research on molecular hydrogen. The results of a hydrogen therapy study proved beneficial for older adults, experiencing issues with memory and word recall. Fascinated I researched further and discovered hydrogen water was a thing.

 Yet the benefits mentioned on the water labels touted anti-inflammatory and reducing inflammation from exercise. Hmm, not exactly what I was hoping for. But given I had no other means of infusing molecular hydrogen into my body, I ordered a case of H-Factor Hydrogen Water, which is sourced and packaged in the United States.

The water arrived in pouches, so hydrogen does not escape. And it should be consumed within 30 minutes of opening it for the same reason. The following morning, I grabbed one from the fridge, opened, and drank it before coffee. Wow! Sitting at my computer, as I started to open emails, I felt my early morning brain fog lift, quickly and dramatically. The difference in my cognitive clarity before and after drinking a pouch was persuasive.

I began drinking the water daily, and soon experienced sharper recall and increased energy, like a “second wind.” Curious if others would experience similar benefits, I had my family all try it and all experienced the same. When home they now reach for my stash, especially in the morning, before important business, or after exercise. Perhaps due to over sharing, last year, I ran out without realizing it. And it took several days to get some more delivered. In the meantime, the difference in my cognition was dramatic, in both brain fog and word recall. But after my water arrived it quickly improved.

Over the past five years many scientific studies on molecular hydrogen and hydrogen water have been completed with benefits beyond cognition, showing therapeutic and preventive effects on various organs and no major side effects. In fact, I did not realize how much research had been done since I started my search five years ago until I began research anew for this Gab. A quick internet search shows many scientific studies regarding benefits to heart, liver, lungs, skin as well high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, Parkinson’s, dementia, and more. Thus, it is not surprising that the Founder and CEO of H-Factor, Gail Levy discovered hydrogen water while trying to help a friend, suffering from the side effects of the cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Obviously, I am not a doctor or scientist, nor am I touting or marketing hydrogen water. I am just sharing my experience because I believe it has improved my mental and physical health.

Water has kept me from reaching for sodas for 20 years now. So, variety is important. H-Factor also comes in a variety of natural fruit flavors. Blue Springs Living Water from Blount County, Alabama, where I grew up, is my go-to for spring water. And I am delighted they are now offering an oxygen water, Pneuma Oxygen Spring Water. More on it later. And I enjoy bubbly water, Perrier in cans (also available in flavors) with a squeeze of fresh, organic lemon.

Goods: Water Sources

Hydrogen Water: H-Factor Hydrogen Water

Spring Water & Oxygen Water: Blue Springs Living Water is found locally at Piggly Wiggly and other grocery stores as well as some restaurants, such as Eli’s Jerusalem Grill.

I would love feedback on your experience, should you decide to try any of these wonderful waters.

Birmingham Restaurants Insider is a monthly newsletter of BirminghamRestaurants.com