Both. Ionized water can be alkaline or acidic depending on what kind of substances are in it. Alkaline ionized water from a water ionizer contains hydrated minerals – calcium and magnesium hydrates. These mineral hydrates are recognized by the FDA because they contribute to your daily need for essential minerals.
Acidic ionized water contains carbonate ions – dissolved CO2 – which gives it its acidity. When dissolved in water, CO2 becomes carbonic acid. When you separate the atoms that make up the hard water minerals in your tap water, those atoms become ions because they have an electromagnetic charge. Any time you put an electrical charge on an atom, it becomes an ion. Hence, ionized water is water that is full of charged ions. But what exactly is ionized water?
How water becomes ionized
All water, except pure water, becomes ionized water when you add any substance – such as minerals to it. Ionization happens because the atomic bonds that normally hold the substances tightly together in solid form become loosened when the substance is dissolved in water. This makes the atoms that make up that substance to move apart, but they are still attracted to each other by the electromagnetic charge that bonds them together when in solid form.
Why the water made by a water ionizer is called ionized water
The tap water that enters a water ionizer is full of ions from the mineral carbonates in it. What a water ionizer does is change the way the water is ionized.
A water ionizer separates the alkaline mineral ions from and the carbonate ions in your tap water using electromagnetism. That’s why when you see a water ionizer running, you’ll notice that there are two streams of water coming from it. The alkaline water outlet from the ionizer is where the minerals in your tap water end up. The acidic carbonate ions from your tap water are discharged from the second outlet, they make that water acidic ionized water.
That is why the alkaline water made by a water ionizer is called alkaline ionized water. The water is ionized by the alkaline mineral ions in it. The water ionizer also makes acidic ionized water the same way: The water on the acidic side is ionized by carbonate ions, so it becomes acidic ionized water
Why alkaline ionized water is different than plain alkaline water
Alkaline ionized water from a water ionizer is ionized by alkaline mineral ions and hydroxyl ions. Hydroxyl ions have antioxidant potential, which can help protect your body from oxidative damage. In fact, every antioxidant food or supplement in the world contains hydroxyl ions! Hydroxyl ions give any food, drink, or supplement beneficial antioxidant potential.
Fact: Hydroxyl ions are what make antioxidants work in your body
Bottled alkaline water contains alkaline mineral ions and carbonate ions because hydroxyl ions don’t keep in bottles. This is why the alkaline water you buy in a store doesn’t have antioxidant potential. Bottled alkaline water is still good for you, but it has no age-fighting antioxidant benefit.
The difference between alkaline ionized water and plain alkaline water in the body
Alkaline ionized water hydrates the body about 17% better than plain alkaline water, and that’s a big deal. Keep in mind that your body begins to suffer the effects of dehydration with as little as 2% dehydration. Research done at Montana State University on alkaline ionized water showed that athletes retain more of it in their bodies during workouts, resulting in improved hydration status. When you work out, you are also able to fully rehydrate your body faster after a long strenuous workout.
Fact: The CDC estimates that 3 out of every 4 Americans suffer from chronic dehydration. If you are one of them, improving your hydration status with alkaline water will make a HUGE difference in your health!
It’s your health, you’re worth it. Call us today at 877-959-7977 for a personalized health consultation with one of our alkaline living experts
References
Hiraoka, A, M Takemoto, and et al. “Studies on the Properties and Real Existence of Aqueous Solution Systems that are Assumed to Have Antioxidant Activities by the Action of “Active Hydrogen.”Journal of Health Science. Journal of Health Science, 09 Jun 2004. Web. 2 Jul 2013. <http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200421/000020042104A0723444.php>.
Heil, P and Seifert, J. Influence of bottled water on rehydration following a dehydrating bout of cycling exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Springerlink July 2009. http://www.springerlink.com/content/kn41764j65165u3x/fulltext.pdf