Humic Acid
Research reviewed: 2001–2019
Humic Acid (Humic acid (high molecular weight humic substance)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 524 participants, researched for Gut Health, Detoxification, Antioxidant Effects and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Gut Health
ModerateDetoxification
StrongAntioxidant Effects
ModerateAntiviral & Immune Effects
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Gut Health
Evaluate humic acid on gut health and bowel function
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate humic acid on gut health and bowel function
Dose
Humic acid 200 mg/day
Participants
60
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Improved stool consistency and frequency; intestinal permeability reduced; beneficial bacteria increased; gut comfort scores improved
How They Measured It
Stool frequency, consistency, intestinal permeability, gut microbiome
Assess humic acid on gut microbiome composition in adults
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess humic acid on gut microbiome composition in adults
Dose
Humic acid 300 mg/day
Participants
55
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Microbial diversity improved; beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) increased; SCFA elevated; CRP reduced
How They Measured It
16S rRNA sequencing, SCFA, inflammatory markers
Detoxification
Evaluate humic acid as heavy metal detoxification agent
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate humic acid as heavy metal detoxification agent
Dose
Humic acid 500 mg/day
Participants
65
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant increase in urinary heavy metal excretion; serum lead and cadmium reduced; chelation mechanism confirmed
How They Measured It
Urinary heavy metal excretion (lead, cadmium, mercury), serum levels
Assess humic acid mineral chelation and heavy metal binding
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess humic acid mineral chelation and heavy metal binding
Dose
Humic acid 400 mg/day
Participants
50
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Lead, cadmium, and arsenic excretion significantly increased; gut binding reduces heavy metal absorption; bioavailability of minerals maintained
How They Measured It
Heavy metal speciation in gut, serum and urinary markers
Antioxidant Effects
Evaluate humic acid antioxidant capacity in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate humic acid antioxidant capacity in healthy adults
Dose
Humic acid 300 mg/day
Participants
55
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in ORAC and FRAP; MDA reduced by 20%; SOD activity elevated; humic acid electron donor capacity confirmed
How They Measured It
ORAC, FRAP, MDA, superoxide dismutase activity
Antiviral & Immune Effects
Assess humic acid antiviral effects against respiratory viruses
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess humic acid antiviral effects against respiratory viruses
Dose
Humic acid 250 mg/day
Participants
80
Duration
12 weeks (winter)
Results
Significant reduction in respiratory infection frequency (−31%); shorter duration; antiviral activity via viral attachment inhibition
How They Measured It
Viral infection rates, duration, severity, immune markers
Comprehensively review humic acid clinical health evidence
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Comprehensively review humic acid clinical health evidence
Dose
Various
Participants
120
Duration
Various
Results
Evidence supports gut health, antiviral, detoxification, and antioxidant effects; safety confirmed at tested doses; evidence quality moderate
How They Measured It
PRISMA review of humic acid and humic substance clinical trials
Evaluate humic acid safety and efficacy in extended human use
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate humic acid safety and efficacy in extended human use
Dose
Humic acid 300 mg/day
Participants
39
Duration
24 weeks
Results
No significant adverse events; liver and kidney function normal throughout; gut health maintained; safety confirmed for extended use
How They Measured It
Adverse events, liver function, kidney function, metabolic markers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Humic Acid research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Humic Acid (Humic acid (high molecular weight humic substance)), involving 524 total participants. Research covers Gut Health, Detoxification, Antioxidant and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Humic Acid has been researched for: Gut Health, Detoxification, Antioxidant, Mineral Chelation. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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