Technology
What are pH and ORP?
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The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. It ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, a pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is alkaline (or basic).
ORP, or oxidation-reduction potential, measures a substance's ability to oxidize or reduce molecules around it, or in other words, it's potential to steal or donate electrons.
pH and ORP are key concepts to understand ionization and the important health benefits of alkaline ionized water.
How An Ionizer Works
A water ionizer is a small kitchen appliance that separates tap water into two separate streams - one alkaline and one acidic - through a process called electrolysis.
An ionizer is connected to a home’s water supply either through a diverter valve installed on the kitchen faucet or directly through a
T-adapter connected to the cold water line under the sink.
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STEP 1: FILTRATION
Water enters the ionizer through an inlet port at the bottom of the unit and is first filtered to remove common pollutants, particulate matter, chlorine, odour and organic matter present in tap water.
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STEP 2: ELECTROLYSIS
The water then flows through an electrolysis chamber which contains positively and negatively charged platinum-covered titanium electrodes. These electrodes ionise the soluble minerals in the water: positively charged ions gather at the negative electrode to create alkaline water, also referred to as "reduced water" while negatively charged ions gather at the positive electrode to make acid water, also known as "oxidized water".
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ALKALINE WATER, which comes out of the top spout on the ionizer, is the fraction that we drink and cook with. It contains a high concentration of positively charged minerals that are beneficial for our health, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
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ACIDIC WATER, which is dispensed through the bottom hose or spout, is used externally for cleaning and disinfecting the skin and household surfaces. It is discharged into the sink when it is not needed or saved for later use.
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How does ionization affect the molecular structure of water?
Water that enters the electrolytic cell is subjected to a small electric current which passes between the plates, causing the water molecules [H2O] to split into two ions: a negatively charged hydroxyl ion [OH-] and a positively charged hydrogen ion [H+].
At the exit of the electrolytic cell, the water is separated into two streams:
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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 neutralize the oxidative damage caused by electron scavenging free radicals in our body.
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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).
Free Radicals and Antioxidants
Alkaline ionized water is a powerful antioxidant
Alkaline ionized water is a plentiful source of antioxidants which help to neutralize free radicals. But what exactly are free radicals and antioxidants? In short, free radicals cause oxidation in our body and antioxidants to prevent oxidation.
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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 contribute to ageing and the onset of various diseases. 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.
Where does one find antioxidants?
Alkaline ionized water is a rich source of antioxidants which can easily be absorbed into the body due to the small size of the water clusters and the fact that the water does not need to be metabolized. It is also a very easy way to provide our bodies with plentiful amounts of antioxidants each and every day.
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Many foods are also high in antioxidant value and should be a part of any health pH balanced diet:
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Fruits, such as apples, grapes, grapefruit, cranberries, blackberries, and blueberries
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Vegetables, such as spinach, kale, collard greens, carrots, tomatoes and garlic
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Legumes, such as red beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans
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Teas, such as green tea, black tea, herbal tea,
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Spices, such as cloves, cinnamon, oregano, and turmeric
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We are all made up of atoms. Atoms that have a full outer shell of electrons tend to be stable and do not enter into chemical reactions with other atoms or molecules. Atoms that do not have a full outer shell of electrons desperately seek out electrons wherever they can so they can become stable and inert. These unstable atoms are called free radicals.
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To seek stability, free radicals tend to try and steal an electron from whatever molecule happens to be nearby. In turn, the molecule that loses an electron to a free radical becomes unstable and becomes a new free radical. As such, free radicals can be the cause of a never-ending chain reaction.
One of the more common types of free radicals is oxygen-free radicals. These are oxygen atoms that are missing one or more electrons in their outer shell. Oxygen-free radicals cause oxidation, both in the air and in our bodies. A slice of apple that turns brown or a piece of metal that rusts are examples of oxidation that we observe in our daily lives. Well, this type of oxidation also occurs inside our bodies because of the action of oxygen free radicals.
Free radicals are not evil or bad - in moderation. Our body performs many functions and there will always be some free radicals created. Free radicals are essential in the synthesis of energy and essential nutrients and are also involved in boosting our immune system. However, if the level of free radicals gets too high in the body, one can run into major problems. Numerous diseases and health issues have been linked to high levels of free radicals.
Antioxidants to the rescue
So, how do you turn a free radical into a harmless molecule? You give the free radical the extra electron it so desperately wants. What substance can supply this extra electron? Antioxidants to the rescue! Antioxidants are any substances that prevent or slow the oxidation process.
Antioxidants are essential for the proper function of the immune system. This is partly because immune cells produce free radicals for normal defence functions. If the level of free radicals in the immune cells surpasses the normal level, they negatively affect the immune system. On the other hand, antioxidants act as scavengers of the free radicals in cells and therefore promote our immunity and overall health.
Neutralise Free Radicals
Disclaimer
The contents of this website are provided for educational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The information provided herein should not be considered as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor or other healthcare professional.