 | Ed Martin is owner of Healthy Choices, Inc. of Wichita. Ed has been involved in the energy and health fields for over 30 years, focusing on pioneering new technologies and bringing cutting-edge products and services to the marketplace. You can reach Ed at; 316-207-7343, or by e-mail at healthychoices1@cox.net |
Health & Wellness
2012-01-26 08:38:51
What is high pH alkaline ionized water?
Q: In a recent column, you wrote about the benefits of drinking “High pH Alkaline Ionized Water.” It sounded interesting…but confusing. Can you tell us again what is High pH Alkaline Ionized Water?
A: I admit, in past columns, I have tried to stay with answering questions that allowed me to focus on the health benefits of drinking alkaline ionized water. My thought has been that most people are more interested in the benefits of how it will help them rather than the mechanics of how those benefits occur. But it is also obvious that there are some out there who want more details. Here is the essence of that recent column.
I am going to apologize in advance for getting technical. If you find technical stuff boring, you might as well stop reading now. However, if you are willing to give me a chance, I will try to keep my answer fairly short and hopefully a little bit interesting. Heck, you might even learn something.
First, let me say that “high pH” and “alkaline” mean pretty much the same thing. Most things are either acid or alkaline in their chemical makeup, and pH is merely a number that describes how acid or alkaline it is. For example, something that is neither acid nor alkaline is said to be neutral and has a pH of 7.0. A pH value less than 7.0 is acid, and the lower the pH, the more acidic it is. A pH value greater than 7.0 is alkaline, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline it is.
With that little detail out of the way, now we can focus on the real nitty-gritty. What is Alkaline Ionized Water? I am glad you asked.
The original technology regarding ionized water was developed by the Russians in the 1950’s as a result of the cold war. It originated in research Russian scientists were conducting as they were attempting to find a way to decontaminate their population in the event of a nuclear attack.
Over 30-years ago, the Japanese “borrowed” the Russian research and began experimenting to further develop ionized water technology. This resulted in their developing a counter-top device the size of a toaster that connects to a kitchen faucet and produces ionized water. The process is called electrolysis, and it is accomplished by running tap water over positive and negative electrodes. This splits the water into two streams: one is alkaline ionized water and the other is acidic ionized water. Both water streams have value, but for entirely different purposes.
(Now here is one of those paragraphs that you non-technical types may want to skip over). In chemistry class, we learned that water, H2O, is made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. The ionizer splits the water into an alkaline component called a hydroxyl ion and an acidic component called a hydrogen ion. When something is ionized, it either gains or loses an electron. The alkaline water contains more hydroxyl ions, which are molecules containing one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom with an extra electron. The acidic water contains more hydrogen ions which are hydrogen atoms that are missing an electron.
As I have stated in past columns, the general condition of the human body is designed to be slightly alkaline. Our blood and lymphatic systems need to be about pH 7.4, and if our pH varies much from 7.4, illness and eventually death can be the result. However a very large part of most people’s diet (food and beverage) is highly acidic, and therein lies the question, “What can we do to keep our body’s pH in proper balance, help to maintain optimal health, and prevent disease?”
One answer, which is difficult and beyond what most people are willing to do, is to totally change your diet and eliminate most of the foods you enjoy. The far easier answer is to drink alkaline ionized water. By drinking alkaline ionized water, we help to neutralize the acidic wastes that have built up in the body. We are also restoring the body to its slightly alkaline state which is ideal for fighting disease and maintaining good health naturally.
Alkaline ionized water has the ability to neutralize free radicals by itself. Free radicals are atoms in our environment that are lacking an electron, and they attack healthy atoms in the body to steal electrons, thus creating an unhealthy condition. Since the alkaline water contains hydroxyl ions which have an overabundance of electrons, it can easily donate electrons to neutralize the free radicals. This is similar to having antioxidant vitamins and minerals in the water you drink. Some even compare it to drinking a glass of fruit juice.
When viewed under a microscope, we can see that water is not made up of individual water molecules that are totally separate from each other. Instead, water molecules tend to clump together in irregularly shaped clusters of 10 to 13 molecules. However in creating alkaline water, an ionizer gives the water new characteristics. The molecules in alkaline ionized water form much smaller clusters of only five or six molecules organized in a hexagonal shape. These smaller clusters make alkaline ionized water “wetter”. As a result, it is more easily absorbed, can pass through cell walls more easily, and can more easily saturate body tissues. This increased absorption also puts the water in contact with more free radicals faster, increasing its antioxidant capabilities. Alkaline ionized water is six times more hydrating than regular water.
Alkaline ionized water has a higher oxygen level because it has more hydroxyl molecules than regular water. You can see this in alkaline ionized water by the cloud of tiny bubbles that are visible immediately after it is made. This increased oxygen content helps to neutralize the effects of oxygen free radicals which damage cells through oxidation. (Common examples of oxidation which are familiar to everyone include the rusting of metal and browning of freshly cut apples).
Drinking oxygen-rich ionized alkaline water helps to increase oxygen levels in the blood. In addition to all the other health benefits gained from drinking ionized alkaline water, people commonly state that it makes them feel more energetic and more able to tackle their day with ease.
