Also called Quinton Water, marine plasma is nothing more than seawater taken from depth and filtered. The idea is far from new. It was popularized by the biologist René Quinton in the 20th century, who claimed that the composition of seawater was similar to that of blood plasma.
Today, laboratories market this marine plasma in modern and varied forms: drinkable ampoules, ready-to-use bottles, and even skin sprays.
It is credited with numerous benefits for the immune system, hydration, remineralization, and improved digestion. A true “miracle product” according to some.
Yet the scientific evidence is thin. Enough to make you wonder: does marine plasma really live up to its promises, or is it a well-orchestrated marketing ploy? I’ll tell you everything.
A water that is very concentrated in minerals
A very high content of minerals and trace elements
Marine plasma owes its supposed benefits to its very high content of minerals and trace elements. It notably contains:
- sodium
- chloride
- magnesium
- calcium
- potassium
- and many other elements in smaller amounts (zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, silicon, lithium, etc.)
Of course, the exact composition of marine plasma depends on the place where it is collected, but also on the laboratory and the purification processes used.
Isotonic vs hypertonic: two versions for two uses
There are two main categories of marine plasma: isotonic and hypertonic.
Isotonic marine plasma is seawater diluted to obtain a concentration close to that of blood plasma. It is milder and lower in sodium, which makes it the preferred version for daily intake.
Conversely, hypertonic marine plasma is undiluted seawater.
More concentrated in minerals, and therefore in sodium, it must be used with more caution, particularly in cases of high blood pressure or kidney disorders. Some people use it as an “attack phase” before then switching to the isotonic form.
The benefits of marine plasma: what science says
A brief word of caution
Scientific studies on marine plasma are almost non-existent. All the studies I was able to find actually focus on deep seawater (or deep ocean minerals).
These are extracts that have been modified and standardized for research. Their mineral composition is therefore not necessarily identical to that of marine plasma supplements sold commercially.
Each scientific result that I present below must therefore be taken with caution, because the findings cannot be directly transposed to marine plasma.
For hydration and electrolyte balance
The main argument in favor of marine plasma is its high content of electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, and potassium) and other minerals.
Its use could therefore support overall hydration, particularly in cases of significant electrolyte loss due to sweating.
This study conducted on 17 volunteers showed that deep sea water would promote the recovery of hydration after a dehydrating exercise, compared to spring water.
Nevertheless, this research was carried out on a small sample and in a specific context.
For recovery and performance in athletes
Alongside facilitating hydration, some work has shown the benefit of deep sea water in supporting recovery after exercise, and in increasing performance.
This study published in 2017 showed that supplementation after intense exercise can:
- improve post-exercise cerebral perfusion
- reduce the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, which is an indicator of inflammation
- facilitate recovery compared with the placebo group
Also, this other scientific review from 2022 looked at the effect of this sea water on athletes. The studies analyzed showed:
- faster aerobic recovery
- leg muscle strength that returns more quickly after running exercise
- and lower lactate production (a marker of the intensity of lactic anaerobic effort)
Additional results that seem promising for athlete recovery.
What science does not (or hardly) prove
Some claims about marine plasma are widely circulated, but they are not (yet) based on solid clinical studies.
However, I did find in vitro or animal studies on deep sea water that provide interesting avenues, but without allowing any conclusion to be drawn for humans.
Among these different avenues, we notably find:
- effects on bone health, observed… in mice. A study carried out on menopausal female rats showed that deep sea water would stimulate the activity of osteoblasts (the cells that build bone)
- effects on intestinal immunity, according to some results in rats. Deep sea water could increase the production of intestinal IgA, a marker of local immunity
But these studies do not allow us to assert anything about the benefits of marine plasma in “real life”.
Is marine plasma overrated?
Marine plasma is often presented as a miracle cure for energy, immunity, or digestion.
However, when I look at the studies, I have not found solid clinical data on the product that is available on the market.
The only research concerns specific extracts of deep sea water, with very particular protocols, small samples, and results that remain modest. That makes for a lot of assumptions and conditions to be met.
If we compare it with saline solution, which is also isotonic and safe, no clear additional benefit has been demonstrated for marine plasma.
That said, a good-quality supplement, used occasionally, can provide minerals, as long as there is no medical contraindication.
However, don’t expect miraculous effects! And that applies to any dietary supplement.
Sources and scientific studies
- Harris, P. R. et al. (2019) Fluid type influences acute hydration and muscle performance recovery in human subjects.
- Wei, C. Y. et al. (2017) Deep Ocean Mineral Supplementation Enhances the Cerebral Hemodynamic Response during Exercise and Decreases Inflammation Postexercise in Men at Two Age Levels
- Aragón-Vela, J. et al. (2022) Physiological Benefits and Performance of Sea Water Ingestion for Athletes in Endurance Events: A Systematic Review.
- Chen, P. C. et al. (2020). Supplementation of nanofiltrated deep ocean water ameliorates the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating osteoblast differentiation.
- Hisashi Shiraishi et al. (2017) Effect of Minerals on Intestinal IgA Production Using Deep Sea Water Drinks
