The gas that gives rotten eggs their distinctive disgusting smell is called hydrogen sulphide. It is a dangerous and unpleasant gas, which has both explosive and toxic properties. Recent research has discovered, however, that it may actually be good for something after all, as it may in fact slow down the aging process and improve the wellbeing of older people by blocking chemical reactions that damage cells with age.
Scientists in China have been looking into the effects of the gas on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. They have discovered that the noxious gas activates a gene in the human body which has similar antioxidant properties to red wine, and can help promote wellness by purifying the human body. If successfully proved, they believe that hydrogen sulphide could be made into a supplement and sold worldwide for its anti-ageing properties.
Although the gas has previously been thought of as the ‘bad guy’ due to its use as a chemical weapon during the First World War, it is only when it is over a certain threshold that it becomes toxic. Below that it would appear that there are actually health benefits associated with it.
The field of anti-ageing is enormous, with many scientists taking an interest in longevity. This new discovery about hydrogen sulphide shows that the gas can slow down the aging process in a variety of ways. It can play a role in regulating blood pressure, especially in terms of helping blood pass through the veins more smoothly.
It can also activate klotho, a gene that is thought to promote antioxidants in the body, which could help fight against aging and some aging-related diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.