Water ionizer

A water ionizer is an appliance that ionizes water. Although there is no empirical evidence that ionized water is beneficial to human health, it is marketed with claims that it is an antioxidant and can slow aging and prevent disease.[1] Such claims contradict basic laws of chemistry and physiology.[2]

Contents

Ionization

Main article: Electrolysis of water

A water ionizer separates water into alkaline and acid fractions using a process known as electrolysis.[3] When a source of water lacks mineral ions, such as distilled water, or has been filtered by reverse osmosis, minerals must be added to water for electrolysis to occur.

Uses

There is no empirical evidence to support claims made by manufacturers that drinking ionized water will have a noticeable effect on the body.[4] Drinking ionized water would not be expected to alter the body's pH,[1] due to the acid-base homeostasis.

Electrolyzed water has been used by the food industry to sanitize food products; though effective in bacterial solutions, it was found less useful when sanitizing utensils, surfaces and food products.[5][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Woolston, Chris (2007-01-22). "It'll quench your thirst, of course. But whether ionized water can slow aging and fight disease is another matter". Los Angeles Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1198845891.html?dids=1198845891:1198845891&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+22%2C+2007&author=Chris+Woolston. Retrieved 2008-10-30. 
  2. ^ Lower, S. ""Ionized" and alkaline water: Snake oil on tap". http://www.chem1.com/CQ/ionbunk.html. Retrieved 2008-10-30. 
  3. ^ University of Illinois, Dept. of Chemistry (2008-10-28). "Electrolysis of water using an electrical current". http://www.chem.uiuc.edu/clcwebsite/elec.html. 
  4. ^ Brian Dunning (2009-02-03). "Change Your Water, Change Your Life". http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4139. 
  5. ^ Hricova D, Stephan R, Zweifel C. (2008). "Electrolyzed water and its application in the food industry.". Journal of Food Protection 71 (9): 19–26. PMID 18810883. 
  6. ^ Huang, Yu-Ru; Yen-Con Hung, Shun-Yao Hsu, Yao-Wen Huang, Deng-Fwu Hwang (2008-04). "Application of electrolyzed water in the food industry". Food Control 19 (4): 329–345. doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2007.08.012. ISSN 0956-7135.