Recently, alkaline ionized water (AIW) generated by water electrolysis has received increasing attention because of its shown benefits in treatment and prevention of diseases.

Advocates on developing novel therapeutics against continuous rising number of various diseases had led to the use of alkaline ionized water (AIW). AIW exhibits special properties such as alkaline pH, micro-clustered water molecules, extremely negative ORP value, and high contents of dissolved hydrogen. Alkaline ionized water was first developed in Japan and explored its efficacy on the medical and agricultural fields. Consumption of alkaline ionized water is increasing collectively, and AIW has been acknowledged as novel medical treatment on various intestinal diseases in Japan and Korea, because of its known efficacy. Based on the extensive investigations on the potential benefits of AIW, it showed that supplementation of AIW improves the health of digestive tract(9), alleviates the severity of diseases in vivo(10-12), and improved body condition of aged subjects.

Our previous studies confirm the effect and suggest the mechanism of AIW on the animal preclinical model of metabolic related diseases, and its potential benefits in aged persons. In addition, its potential benefits on the immune response such as balance between Th1 and Th2 activation were also investigated.

Previous studies have demonstrated that AIW has the protective effect against the accumulation of lipid and cholesterol in the body(10,11,15). Lee et al. (unpublished data) designed a study to confirm further the effect of AIW on diseases related with fat accumulation such as obesity. Mice model of obesity induced by feeding high-fat diet was used.

Supplementation of AIW reduced abnormal intestinal fermentation, chronic diarrhea, and gastric hyperacidity(9,21). AIW exhibits a high pH compared to the tap water, which plays an important role on its known efficacy. Alkaline pH neutralizes acids in the stomach. Since AIW has a high pH, it is justifiable that one mechanism of AIW against hyperacidity and other related accumulated acid and toxic caused diseases is via neutralization of the acids. Another beneficial effect of AIW drinking would be influence on blood pH. Secretion of acidic components in stomach to neutralize AIW increase blood pH to compensate acid base balance, thus help maintaining physiologic homeostasis in human body. AIW showed beneficial effects in excreting melamine in the body and reduced the incidence of urinary bladder stone caused by melamine accumulation(22). AIW exhibits high pH that affects the clustering of its water molecules hence producing reduced water cluster size. It is therefore suggested that this microcluster molecule makes the AIW efficiently enter and increase intracellular hydration, aid in flushing out and preventing wastes such as unnecessary materials from accumulating in the cell.

Moreover, the efficacy of alkaline reduced water produced from hot spring was conducted to verify the antioxidant effect both of drinking and bathing. Studies revealed that drinking and bathing in hot spring water significantly reduced the ROS in blood of human subjects(23,24). Spring water exhibits a lower level of ORP values than tap water, and this is correlated to anti aging and anti oxidizing ability. This co-works with the dissolved hydrogen as a source of its antioxidant ability. Continuous effort is needed to further explore the clinical trial on ROSrelated diseases of bathing with several alkaline reduced waters.

Neutral or balanced between acidic and alkaline. If water is below 7 on the pH scale, it’s “acidic.” If it’s higher than 7, it’s “alkaline.”

Bottled water falls under different standards depending on whether it claims to be alkaline. Bottled alkaline water has a pH level above 7.

For comparison, orange juice has a pH of 3.3 and black coffee is about a 5. Pure water has a neutral pH of 7.

Alkaline water enthusiasts claim that its increased hydrogen provides greater hydration than regular water, especially after a hard workout. Ans of the stuff also say that regular drinking water with a pH below 7 creates too much acid in your blood and cells. They blame plain water’s low pH for all sorts of health problems, from osteoporosis to cancer.

Water that is more alkaline supposedly reduces acid in the bloodstream and:

• Improves metabolism
• Increases energy
• Slows aging
• Improves digestion
• Reduces bone loss

Although the pH of blood ranges from 7.35-7.45

pH is maintained in the body using primarily three mechanisms: buffer systems, respiratory control, and renal control.

• Buffer Systems: Proteins form a part of the buffer system to regulate the pH levels. These proteins can act as H+ acceptors or donors because of the presence of basic or acidic groups.
• Respiratory Control: The pH of blood during normal conditions is 7.4. However, CO2 dissociates into carbonic acid in the tissues.
• Renal Control: The renal system regulates the pH of extracellular fluid. The changes in pH induced by the respiratory system are in minutes.
• What is alkaline water? The pH of water is neutral, around pH 7. Chemicals and gases can change this to make it more acidic or more alkaline.

Rainwater’s pH is slightly below neutral, because there is carbon dioxide from the air, and this increases acidity.

Acidic substances have a pH of below 7.0, down to zero. The pH of vinegar is around pH 3, lemon juice around pH 2, and battery acid around pH 1.
Alkaline substances have a pH up to 14. Baking soda’s pH is between pH 8 and 9, and milk of magnesia is between pH 10 and 11.

Water can be high or low in pH, but if it is too high or too low, it can have adverse effects.

Water that is too alkaline has a bitter taste. It can cause deposits that encrust pipes and appliances. Highly acidic water may corrode metals or even dissolve them.

Bone health and osteoporosis

Some research has been done on the effects of alkaline intake on bones. A study published in Bone found an effect on bone resorption. Bone resorption is the process where old bone cells are broken down and replaced by new ones.

Sodium and potassium, with possible benefits for bone and muscle health. This could help prevent high blood pressure, strokes, and other chronic diseases.

An alkaline diet may help to reduce problems related to low growth hormone in those who are susceptible.

“Ionized water contains so many active hydrogen molecules, it is able to act as a powerful antioxidant that searches out and destroys free radicals.”