The reality is, you need to add supplements or chemicals to improve the cleaning power or healthfulness of water. With more and more companies claiming to “ionize” water or selling machines that put water through the ionization process, more people wonder what exactly ionized water is.
The ionization process, also known as electrolysis, is accomplished using positively and negatively charged electrodes. The process involves water atoms giving electrons to electrodes or receiving them. As a result of this process, the chemical reaction makes the water either more acidic or alkaline.
Acidic water across the world has a pH of less than 7, but more specifically, alkaline water Australia has more than 7 pH, while tap water has a pH of 7. Companies selling ionized water claim that it has a variety of health benefits ranging from counteracting unhealthy effects caused by acidic foods to giving you energy. However, there lacks enough scientific studies to support these claims.
Regular water has been considered the best for most people for a long while now. The lack of scientific evidence to verify claims that ionized water has health benefits maintains that regular water is still good for you. Tap water is a mixture of mineral ions like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, and bicarbonate ions.
These two kinds of ions have a positive electromagnetic charge. Bicarbonate is essentially dissolved CO2 because it is formed when carbon dioxide is absorbed by water from the air giving it a negative electromagnetic charge.
Benefits of Ionized Water
Compared to regular water, ionized water is considered to have ultra-hydrating properties. Hence, people who work out every day and need a lot of water in their bodies will find this a beneficial drink for them. Scientifically, water molecules in ionized water tend to be smaller and easily absorbable in the body cells, which will help the body rehydrate faster.
Ionized water is also believed to boost your immunity. People who are on a poor diet, under stress, or exposed to environmental toxins may need to boost their immunity to neutralize the acidity caused by these elements.
Ionized water also has minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones. It is also believed to have potent antioxidants that can help prevent cell growth that could damage free radicals in your body that can speed up the aging process.
Ionized water also helps neutralize your body’s acidity by lowering excess acid in your gastrointestinal tract and stomach.
Side Effects of Ionized Water
Though ionized water is generally considered safe for consumption, it can also have adverse side effects. For instance, it could lower your natural stomach acidity, which will affect your stomach’s ability to kill bacteria or expel undesirable pathogens that enter the bloodstream.
It can also lead to skin irritations and gastrointestinal issues because too much alkalinity can agitate your body’s normal PH, resulting in vomiting, nausea, muscle twitching, hand tremors, confusion, and tingling in the extremities. This can also lead to calcium decrease in your body, affecting bone health. Hence, if you don’t really need to take ionized water, there is nothing wrong with tap water.