Water ionizer
A water ionizer (also known as a alkaline ionizer) is a home appliance which claims to raise the pH of drinking water by using electrolysis to separate the incoming water stream into acidic and alkaline components. Proponents claim that consumption of the alkaline stream results in a variety of health benefits, making it similar to the alternative health practice of alkaline diets. Such claims are not generally accepted in chemistry and physiology.[1]
The machines originally became popular in Japan and other Far Eastern countries before becoming available in the U.S. and Europe.
Operation
Despite being described as 'water ionizers' the machines are designed to work as water electrolysers.[2] This is an electrochemical process in which water is split to form hydrogen and oxygen by an electric current. The overall chemical reaction is shown below:[1]
- 2 H2O(l) → 2 H2(g) + O2(g)
During this process the water near the anode is acidic while the water near the cathode is alkaline. Water ionizers work by simply siphoning off the water near the cathode. Water siphoned off the cathode side contains increased levels of hydroxide (OH−) and would be expected to have a higher pH (i.e. be more alkaline), whereas water siphoned off near the anode would have increased levels of H+ making it acidic.[1] The acidic water is claimed to be useful for household disinfecting.[2]
The effectiveness of the process is debatable because electrolysis requires significant amounts of time and power; hence the amount of hydroxide that could be generated in a fast moving stream of water (i.e. a running tap) would be minimal at best. Additionally the process of reversing the reaction requires much less energy, so if the area between the alkaline and acidic water is at least semi-permeable the water will undergo another reaction that just leaves neutral water and free Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms. The second reaction is shown below:[1]
2 H2O → 2 H2 + O2
Similar machines have been used to produce electrolysed water, which is used as a disinfectant because it also contains sodium hypochlorite, the main ingredient in bleach.[3]
Health claims
Water ionizers are often marketed on the basis of health claims; normally focused on their putative ability to make water more alkaline. A wide variety of benefits have been claimed, including: the ability to slow ageing,[4] prevent disease, offer protection from nuclear fallout,[5] give the body more energy, and offset the effects of acidic foods.[2]
There is no empirical evidence to support these claims, nor the claims that drinking ionized water will have a noticeable effect on the body.[6] Drinking ionized water or alkaline water does not alter the body's pH due to acid-base homeostasis.[4]
See also
- Electrodeionization
- Electrolyzed water
- Magnetic water treatment
- Negative air ionization therapy
- Self-ionization of water
- Ultrafiltration
References
- ^ a b c d Lower, S. "'Ionized' and alkaline water: Snake oil on tap". Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- ^ a b c Johannes, Laura (2012-04-09). "The Positives and Negatives of Ionized Water". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
- ^ Huang, Yu-Ru; Hung, Yen-Con; Hsu, Shun-Yao; Huang, Yao-Wen; Hwang, Deng-Fwu (2008). "Application of electrolyzed water in the food industry". Food Control. 19 (4): 329. doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2007.08.012.
- ^ a b Woolston, Chris (2007-01-22). "It'll quench your thirst, of course. But whether ionized water can slow ageing and fight disease is another matter". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Alan Ross, Robert. "THE RAW FOOD-RADIATION CONNECTION". Raw Food Life. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
- ^ Brian Dunning (2009-02-03). "Change Your Water, Change Your Life".