Exploring Alkaline Water: Benefits and Myths Debunked
Exploring
Alkaline Water:
Benefits and Myths Debunked
Today, it's nearly impossible to walk into a gas station or grocery store without encountering multiple selections of alkaline water, each touting various health benefits. This surge in popularity has brought alkaline water and its counterparts—ionized, hydrogenated, or antioxidant water—into the spotlight, promising everything from enhanced hydration to anti-aging effect
Let’s delve into the science behind these types of water, demystifying the terms and evaluating the claims to help you understand what's beneficial and what might be bottled hype.
Alkaline water, which contains minerals or buffers that can neutralize acids, raises its pH above standard drinking water. This type of water is often pursued for its potential health benefits, such as helping to neutralize acidity in the bloodstream. On the other hand, ionized water involves electrolysis, which increases the pH and introduces negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), adding antioxidant properties to the water. However, ionized water is not the only way to achieve antioxidant benefits in water. Some other methods and treatments can also enhance water with antioxidant properties, providing similar benefits without electrolysis.
The pH of Your Water Matters
pH is a measure that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale from 0 to 14. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole pH value below 7 is ten times more acidic than the next higher value, and each whole pH value above 7 is ten times more alkaline. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, typical of pure water. Values below 7 indicate acidity, while values above 7 indicate alkalinity. The pH of a solution is determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) it contains; the more hydrogen ions, the more acidic the solution, and the fewer hydrogen ions, the more alkaline.
Monitoring pH levels is crucial for water and health, as they affect the water's properties and interaction with the body. Refer to the above pH chart to visualize and understand the range of pH levels from highly acidic to highly alkaline substances. This chart helps to illustrate how different substances compare in terms of their pH levels. It provides a clear visual representation of where various types of solutions fit on the scale.
Making Alkaline Water The first step is to choose the right minerals to raise the water's pH level. Common minerals used include calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals increase the pH and offer additional health benefits, such as improved bone health and hydration.
Remineralization after Filtration: In systems where water is first purified (e.g., by reverse osmosis), essential minerals can be reintroduced to the water in a controlled way to ensure the pH is adjusted upward while also replenishing beneficial minerals that were removed during filtration.
Using a Mineral Cartridge or Filter: Some alkaline water systems use a cartridge or filter that contains these minerals. As water passes through the filter, it picks up ions from the minerals, which raises its pH.
The American Made Drinking Water Solution for Alkaline Water
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Reverse Osmosis removes forever chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics.*
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Livation Hydration Cartridge adds beneficial minerals, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
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Imparts antioxidant properties to the water through the slow release of elemental hydrogen.
*Consult with US Water Systems Certifed Water Specialists to select the right system for you.
Oxidation Scale
Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) easures water's ability to release or accept electrons during chemical reactions, reflecting its oxidative or reductive capabilities. Expressed in millivolts (mV), ORP values can be positive or negative. A positive ORP value signifies oxidizing properties, meaning the substance can accept electrons and act as an oxidizing agent. Conversely, a negative ORP value indicates reducing properties, meaning the substance can donate electrons and act as an antioxidant.
In practical applications, substances like chlorine, a strong oxidizer, significantly affect ORP. When added to water, chlorine increases the ORP by accepting electrons from other molecules. This high ORP environment helps to disinfect the water by breaking down and neutralizing contaminants and pathogens. For instance, in swimming pools and drinking water treatment, maintaining a high ORP (typically between 650 and 750 mV) ensures that the water remains safe and free from harmful microorganisms. The presence of chlorine elevates the ORP, indicating a higher oxidative state, which is effective for sanitization.
Conversely, in contexts where reducing properties and antioxidants are desired, such as in drinking water for health benefits, a lower ORP is preferred, often achieved through ionization or the addition of hydrogen. This negative ORP water acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress in the body. Thus, understanding and managing ORP is crucial in water treatment and health applications to achieve the desired balance of oxidation and reduction.
Ionized Water
Ionized water has undergone electrolysis, which uses an electric current to separate the water into acidic and alkaline components. This process enhances the water by creating a higher pH level on the alkaline side and a lower pH level on the acidic side, making the water either more alkaline or acidic, depending on the selected output.
One popular brand that produces ionized water is Kangen Water®, known for its health-promoting properties. Kangen machines use electrolysis to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, producing alkaline ionized water that contains hydroxide ions (OH-) and acidic water that contains hydrogen ions (H+). Alkaline water is consumed for its purported health benefits, while acidic water can be used for cleaning and disinfecting.
A key characteristic of ionized water, particularly alkaline ionized water, is its negative ORP. Water with a negative ORP is considered an antioxidant and is believed to offer several health benefits by neutralizing free radicals, potentially reducing oxidative stress in the body. This antioxidant property is often cited as one of the main health benefits of drinking ionized water.
Hydrogen or Hydrogenated Water
Hydrogenated water, or just “Hydrogen Water,” is related to ionized water but is distinct. It involves dissolving hydrogen gas (H2) into water (not to be confused with H+), increasing its antioxidant properties without affecting the water's pH. Hydrogen water is touted for its efficacy in providing molecular hydrogen, a potent antioxidant. This type of water is particularly praised for its ability to quickly combat oxidative stress without any by-products, making it beneficial for overall health and wellness.
Hydronium balls can be added to a filtration system and work by releasing hydrogen ions gradually into the water. This method can increase the antioxidant properties of the water similarly to ionized water but without altering its pH significantly. Hydronium balls provide a convenient and energy-efficient way to achieve antioxidant water, making it accessible without needing electrical ionization systems. This offers a practical solution for reducing oxidative stress through daily water consumption.
Both ionized and hydrogen water aim to reduce oxidative stress in the body. Still, they do so through different mechanisms: ionized water through electrolysis-induced negative ORP and hydrogen water through the direct infusion of hydrogen gas to gain negative ORP.
Further Reading Links for Specialized Water Types
Alkaline Water
- Mayo Clinic: Alkaline Water - Benefits and Risks
- www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/alkaline-water/faq-20058029
- Healthline: Alkaline Water
- www.healthline.com/nutrition/alkaline-water
Ionized Water
- Pub Med Central: Electrolyzed–Reduced Water: Review II: Safety Concerns and Effectiveness as a Source of Hydrogen Water
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Hydrogen Water
- Healthline: Hydrogen Water and Oxidative Stress
- www.healthline.com/nutrition/hydrogen-water
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