What Is Ionized Water?
Water at its purest level is comprised of molecules that have two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Because there are generally minerals in drinking water, a hydrogen atom can split off from the molecule. When it does, it has a positive charge and is called an ion. The remaining hydrogen and oxygen atoms have a net negative charge. Because positive and negative charges are attracted to each other, any hydrogen atom that breaks off will generally combine with another hydrogen-oxygen pair to form a water molecule again. Ionized water is water that has a higher concentration of hydrogen atoms, or ions, than normal drinking water.
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The Facts
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Ionized water can have higher concentrations of hydrogen atoms, or positive ions, in which case it would be called acidic. Ionized water with higher concentrations of the hydrogen-oxygen pair is called alkaline. There are consumer machines that ionize water and some that will separate water into these two types of ionized water.
Considerations
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Some people believe that ionized water provides health benefits by helping to eliminate the existence of free radicals in the body. While there is little scientific evidence to support this, there is a growing popular belief in the effect.
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Misconceptions
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Common misconceptions regarding ionized water is that is can eat a hole in a stomach. The human stomach lining is always in the process of replenishing itself. Indeed, the stomach has many acidic enzymes and uses these enzymes to break down food. Conversely, there is also a misconception that ionized water provides health benefits, despite the lack of any evidence to support this belief.
Warning
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The belief that ionized water can be beneficial can lead to the purchase of expensive appliances that turn tap water into ionized water. Carefully read the claims of any manufacturer of these devices because they are often couched in language meant to sound good without being specific.
Expert Insight
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So-called miracle cures have been around for a long time, but because there is so much information available, there is really no excuse for not checking out the claims. The health claims made by manufacturers of equipment that produce ionized water is composed of language that is slippery at best.
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Resources
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