What is Water Ionizer

A water ioniser is not just a water machine, but really a lifestyle water product that people should have in their homes. Not only are there benefits to drinking more alkaline ionised water, but there are also many great uses for the acid water that is created too.

What are free radicals

Our bodies consist of many atoms. Each one of these atoms has a full outer shell of electrons that are usually stable and do not enter into chemical reactions with other atoms. However, sometimes atoms which lose their full outer shell of electrons will desperately seek out electrons wherever they can so they can stabilise. These unstable or desperate atoms are known as free radicals.

Free radicals always want to seek stability and will try to steal an electron from any molecule that happens to be nearby. This causes the molecule which has lost its electron to the free radical to become unstable, and a new free radical is made. This will in turn cause a never ending chain reaction which can be harmful to our bodies.

FREE Radicals and Oxidations

Oxygen free radicals are one of the most common types of free radicals. These oxygen atoms are missing one or more electrons from their outer shell, making them unstable. Oxygen free radicals are what cause oxidation, both in the air and in our bodies. An apple that turns brown or rusting metal are examples of oxidation that we can see in our daily lives. These oxygen free radicals are one of the factors that cause our bodies to age and deteriorate. In moderation, free radicals are not evil or bad.

In fact, free radicals are created by our body when performing daily life functions. Free radicals are actually essential in the synthesis of energy and essential nutrients are also involved in increasing our immune system. However, if the level of free radicals gets too high in our bodies it can cause major problems. Various health issues and diseases have been linked to high levels of free radicals. So, let's try to minimise our free radicals by drinking more ionised water.

Alkaline ionized water is a powerful antioxidant

On the one hand, free radicals are unstable molecules desperately seeking electrons for stability. They are known to cause cellular and DNA damage in our body, which in turn contributes to aging and the onset of various diseases. On the other hand, antioxidants help to slow down this process by donating an electron to an oxygen free radical (the most common type of free radical in our body) so it becomes a stable oxygen molecule.

How does ionization affect the molecular structure of water?

At the exit of the electrolytic cell, the water is separated into two streams:

The alkaline water stream contains a larger proportion of Hydroxyl ions [OH-] which act as a powerful antioxidant, or reducing agent, because these ions have spare electrons that can easily be donated to our cells. Antioxidants neutralise the oxidative damage caused by electron scavenging free radicals in our body. 

The acidic water stream contains a larger proportion of Hydrogen Ions [H+] which, contrary to Hydroxyl Ions, act as a powerful oxidant or disinfectant capable of killing bacteria and other pathogens on contact (when pH is below 2.7). See uses of acidic water.

Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)

ORP or Oxidation Reduction Potential is a measure of the molecular charge that comes when you ionise water. It shows the level at which food or drink has the ability to oxidise or reduce oxidation in your body. Basically, it determines if the food you are eating is oxidant or an antioxidant.

Drinking alkaline ionised water will naturally raise your intake of antioxidants - like taking a Vitamin C supplement, which we know is good for us. The problem with Vitamin C is you can only take the recommended dose on the bottle, but with ionised water you can drink as much as you like.

Micro Clustering Properties of Ionized Water

Water molecules come in clusters rather than single molecules. Tap water which is under pressure has very large clusters of 15-20 molecules. The ionisation process breaks the electrical bonding of water molecules and restructures the water down to about 4-6 molecules per cluster. This smaller cluster size means that the water can be more easily absorbed into the cells, thereby providing superior hydration to the body and helping to dissolve and flush out acidic solid waste and toxins that have accumulated in the body.