Is Alkaline Water A Hoax?
The structure of alkaline ionized water makes it an incredibly healthy component of anyone’s diet. Because this type of water contains many more active hydrogen molecules -ORP than does regular tap water. In addition, it contains smaller water clusters of 4 to 6 molecules instead of 12 to 14 molecules per cluster as found in bottled water. These properties allow alkaline ionized water to act as a strong and effective antioxidant in improving your health by detoxifying the cells in your body through the neutralization of free radicals. Following is a description of the science behind the many health benefits of alkaline water, as well as a list of some of these health benefits. Before you continue reading there are some clarifications that must be made.
Alkaline Water
Alkaline water is any water that has a PH above 7.0. This can be achieved in many ways. You can add baking soda, lemons or pH drops to tap water or bottled water to make it alkaline.
Alkaline Ionized Water
Alkaline ionized water is created by water ionizers in a process called water electrolysis or through an antioxidant alkaline filter.
You must understand that there are no health benefits to drinking alkaline water. This is because alkaline water is not the same as alkaline ionized water. Ionized and this is what makes alkaline water and alkaline ionized water two completely different things. The confusion stems from the fact that the phrases Alkaline Water and Alkaline Ionized Water are used interchangeable and are easy to confuse for the same thing to the uneducated consumer.
All the medical research studies the health benefits are ONLY derived from alkaline ionized water. There are no health benefits to drinking only Alkaline Water made in this way, by simply inserting an additive to the water to make its PH alkaline (higher than 7.0). As indicated in the below research studies, the health benefits of alkaline water are only present when the water had been ionized and gone through the process of water electrolysis or antioxidant ionized filter. The Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) or Reduced Water (RW) or Alkaline Ionized Water (AIW) are all the same thing just different names.
Only Alkaline Ionized Water created by the process of water electrolysis from your water ionizer or antioxidant alkaline filter will have the following 3 properties which lead to the health benefits:
-ORP Oxidation Reduction Potential
ORP is measure of the waters concentration of antioxidant hydroxyl ions which aid the body in neutralizing free radicals? Negative ORP values are present in fresh vegetables and fresh fruits in high concentrations. This is a source of some of their antioxidant benefits and if you know someone who is into juicing this is the reason why they will drink the juice derived from juicing fruits and vegetables immediately because the -ORP value will evaporate relatively quickly (in a matter of hours) if it is left out exposed to Oxygen in the air.
Micro-clusters
Only electrolyzed reduced water or alkaline ionized water has the smaller water clusters. In nature micro-clustering occurs when electrical current is induced into water. This happens at the base of a water fall or when lightning strikes water.
Higher PH
The alkaline minerals in the water are concentrated in the alkaline ionized water, this is what gives it a higher PH. This is created by passing water to the alkaline water machine which separates the alkaline and acidic minerals in the source water. Or adding alkaline minerals to the water with a antioxidant ionized filter.
Science Behind the Health Benefits of Alkaline Water
Because alkaline ionized water contains so many active hydrogen molecules, it is able to act as a powerful antioxidant that searches out and destroys free radicals, called reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS are created by many of the metabolic and digestive processes in our bodies. As they travel throughout the body, they can damage cells and DNA, leading to many diseases and cancers. The formation rate of diseases such as ulcers, cancers, and diabetes are encouraged or increased by this damage. When the hydrogen molecules of alkaline ionized water search out and neutralize these harmful free radicals, they help to prevent and lower the risk level of developing many of these diseases.
Alkaline Water Benefits for people living with Cancer
One of the major health benefits of alkaline ionized water is its ability to destroy and/or inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and inhibit the formation of new cancers in the body. This ability has been demonstrated in a number of studies, not all of them listed here. For instance, one medical study revealed that alkaline ionized water, or reduced water, contributed toward the death of leukemia cells. There is also evidence that alkaline ionized water can slow the growth of tumors by preventing the growth of blood vessels that feed the tumors. Another research study discovered that alkaline ionized water can help to prevent the multiplication of cancer cells.
Anti-Diabetic Benefits of Alkaline Ionized Water
There have also been a number of scientific studies that indicate that alkaline ionized water may be effective in preventing and reversing diabetes. For instance, one medical study found that alkaline ionized water helped to improve glucose levels and glucose tolerance in both Type 1 diabetic and Type 2 diabetic mice. Another research study credited alkaline ionized waters ability to destroy ROS with helping to prevent the type of cell damage in the pancreas that can lead to diabetes. A third study came to a similar conclusion: Alkaline ionized water protects the cells in the pancreas from ROS damage that can lead to diabetes. A fourth scientific study has found that adding alkaline ionized water to ones regular diet can lower not only glucose levels, but also other important indicators of health, such as triglyceride and total cholesterol levels
Prevention of Other Diseases
Because alkaline ionized water acts as an antioxidant and removes ROS from the body, it can also play a role in the prevention of aging. It does so by preventing the cell damage that leads to the physiology of aging. There is also evidence that alkaline water can play a role in the prevention of other diseases and problems caused by free radicals, such as Parkinsons disease, ulcers, arteriosclerosis, and certain degenerative problems affecting the retina of the eye.
Improved Hydration due to smaller Water Clusters
Finally, electrolyzed reduced drinking water provides improved hydration for those who drink it. As mentioned earlier, ionized water consists of smaller groups of molecules than does regular tap water. As a result, these smaller groups of molecules are more quickly and easily absorbed into cells of the body. This water which is ionized and which also contains ionized minerals like calcium and magnesium provides faster and more efficient hydration nutrient absorption than does regular un-ionized water sources.
This is more than just a better-tasting drinking water. It also provides health benefits and disease-fighting capabilities that you cannot find in ordinary un-ionized types of water. Adding these alkaline ionized water benefits to your diet, will help to keep you as healthy and disease-free as possible. By being better hydrated you will sleep more restfully and your body will function more efficiently. The human body is approximately 70% water by weight. Improving this single most important nutrient benefits every single cell within the human body.