Ionized water actually isn't as mysterious as it may sound. Ionized water is the result of a water source (usually tap water) being exposed to electrolysis using water ionizers. The resulting reduced water is flush with a large amount of electrons which can, in theory, be "donated" to active oxygen so that it may aid in the fight of free radicals in the human body. This "reduced water" is also known as alkaline ionized water.
What is Ionized Water?
To begin, both acidic and alkaline ionized water contain H+ and OH- ions. If the amount of H+ exceeds the quantity of OH-, water is said to be acidic and if there are more OH- ions than H+, it is then alkaline. The water we drink today, such as bottled water is completely pure; meaning it contains an equal number of H+ and OH- ions. Pure water is neutral and has a pH of exactly 7 between the scale of 0 to 14. Water that is said to be acidic has pH values of less than 7, whereas water which is alkaline will have a pH of more than 7. Each unit on the pH scale indicates a hundredfold conversion in the ratio of the two different ions. For example, if the pH in water is 8, there are a hundred times as many OH- ions than H+ ions.
It is no secret that our bodies need water to rid itself acidic conditions caused by normal aging processes, poor diet, stress, physical activity, as well as ecological contaminants. Toxins are free radicals within the body that, in time, break down cells and make them more vulnerable to ailments which could have been otherwise prevented. It is said by many professionals in eastern medicine practices that alkaline water ionizers provide a rich amount of electrons to help counterbalance the excessive free radicals, so they do not cause harm by taking electrons from healthy functioning cells. To many, there seem to be very clear benefits of ionized water on the body. However, there are many arguments in western medicine which deny the claims of ionized water as a health benefit for the body. The best way to decide which type of water is ideal for you is to do research into different products, as well as testing them out yourself. As with any change to a diet, consult your doctor before hand to make sure that ionized water is right for you and your body.
