The present invention relates to a water-absorbing composition comprising at least i) 89 to 99.89 wt % of at least one water-absorbing polymer; ii) 0.1 to 10 wt % of at least one oxidizing agent; iii) 0.01 to 1 wt % of at least one inhibitor to inhibit free-radical polymerizations; wherein the weight quantities are each based on the overall weight of the water-absorbing composition. The present invention also relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing composition, the water-absorbing composition obtainable by this process, a composite, a process for producing a composite, the composite obtainable by this process, chemical products such as foams, moldings, fibers, foils, films, cables, sealing materials, liquid-imbibing hygiene articles, carriers for plant and fungal growth regulators, packaging materials, soil additives or building products and also the use of a water-absorbing composition.