Water ionizer: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>MrOllie Undid revision 1284816087 by 173.46.99.165 (talk) |
imported>Monkbot |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Pseudoscientific home appliance}} | {{Short description|Pseudoscientific home appliance}} | ||
A '''water ionizer''' (also known as an '''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 [[Acid|acidic]] and [[Alkali|alkaline]] components.<ref name="Aoki_1994" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal| vauthors = Henry M, Chambron J |date= December 2013 |title=Physico-Chemical, Biological and Therapeutic Characteristics of Electrolyzed Reduced Alkaline Water (ERAW)|journal=Water |volume=5|issue=4|pages=2094–115|doi=10.3390/w5042094|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The treated water is called '''alkaline water'''. | A '''water ionizer''' (also known as an '''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 [[Acid|acidic]] and [[Alkali|alkaline]] components.<ref name="Aoki_1994" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal| vauthors = Henry M, Chambron J |date= December 2013 |title=Physico-Chemical, Biological and Therapeutic Characteristics of Electrolyzed Reduced Alkaline Water (ERAW)|journal= [[Water (journal)|Water]] |volume=5|issue=4|pages=2094–115|doi=10.3390/w5042094|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The treated water is called '''alkaline water'''. Proponents claim that consumption of alkaline water results in a variety of health benefits, making it similar to the [[alternative medicine|alternative health]] practice of [[alkaline diet]]s. Such claims violate principles of [[chemistry]] and [[physiology]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Alkaline Water Nonsense |url=https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/controversial-science-news-quackery/alkaline-water-nonsense | date= 20 March 2017 | first= Joe| last= Schwarcz |website= mcgill.ca| publisher= Office for Science and Society, [[McGill University]] |language=en |access-date=2025-07-29}}</ref> There is no [[evidence-based medicine|medical evidence]] for any health benefits of alkaline water. Extensive [[scientific evidence]] has debunked these claims,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Heaney RP, Layman DK | title = Amount and type of protein influences bone health | journal = [[The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition]] | volume = 87 | issue = 5 | pages = 1567S–1570S | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18469289 | doi = 10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1567s | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name= "Systematic BMJ">{{Cite journal |last1=Fenton |first1=Tanis R. |last2=Huang |first2=Tian |date=June 2016 |title=Systematic review of the association between dietary acid load, alkaline water and cancer |journal=[[BMJ Open]] |volume=6 |issue=6 |article-number=e010438 |doi=10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010438 |pmc=4916623 |pmid=27297008 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> leaving such claims in the [[pseudoscientific]] realm.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
The machines originally became popular in [[ | The machines originally became popular in Japan and other [[East Asia]]n nations before becoming available in the US and Europe. | ||
==Health claims== | ==Health claims== | ||
Water ionizers are marketed on the basis of [[health claim]]s which are focused on their ability to make water more | Water ionizers are marketed on the basis of [[health claim]]s which are focused on their ability to make water more alkaline. A wide variety of benefits have been claimed, including the ability to slow [[aging]],<ref name="latimes">{{cite news | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | vauthors = Woolston C | date = 2007-01-22 | title = The Healthy Skeptic; It'll quench your thirst, of course; But whether ionized water can slow aging and fight disease is another matter | url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1198845891.html?dids=1198845891:1198845891&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+22%2C+2007&author=Chris+Woolston| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090506223046/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1198845891.html?dids=1198845891:1198845891&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+22%2C+2007&author=Chris+Woolston| archive-date = May 6, 2009 |access-date = 2008-10-30}}</ref> prevent [[disease]], give the body more energy, and offset alleged effects of acidic foods.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Johannes |first=Laura |date=2012-04-09 |title= The Positives and Negatives of Ionized Water |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303404704577314182468322256 |url-status=live |access-date=2016-05-17 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20170527050618/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303404704577314182468322256 |archive-date=2017-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Torrens |first=Kerry |title=What is the alkaline diet? |url=https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-alkaline-diet |publisher=[[BBC Good Food]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413122011/https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-alkaline-diet |archive-date= 2022-04-13 |access-date=2022-05-26}}</ref> Some claims include it being twice as hydrating after exercise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alkaline Water: Miracle or Marketing? |website= arthritis.org |language=en |publisher= Arthritis Foundation |url=https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/alkaline-water-benefits |access-date=2024-08-24}}</ref> | ||
There is no empirical evidence to support these claims, nor the claims that drinking ionized water will have a noticeable effect on the body.<ref name=Skeptoid>{{Skeptoid|id=4139|number=139 |title = Alkaline Water Systems: Change Your Water, Change Your Bank Balance|date=February 3, 2009 |access-date=3 February 2009 | There is no empirical evidence to support these claims, nor the claims that drinking ionized water will have a noticeable effect on the body.<ref name= Skeptoid>{{Skeptoid|id=4139|number=139 |title = Alkaline Water Systems: Change Your Water, Change Your Bank Balance |date=February 3, 2009 | name-list-style = vanc |access-date=3 February 2009}}</ref> Drinking ionized water or alkaline water does not alter the body's [[pH]] due to [[acid-base homeostasis]].<ref name="latimes"/> Additionally, marketers have inaccurately claimed that the process of electrolysis changes the structure of water from large non-bioavailable water clusters to small bioavailable water clusters, called "micro clusters".<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ceponkus |first1=Justinas |last2= Engdahl |first2=Anders |last3=Uvdal |first3=Per |last4=Nelander |first4=Bengt |date=August 2013 |title=Structure and dynamics of small water clusters, trapped in inert matrices |journal=[[Chemical Physics Letters]] |volume=581 |pages=1–9 |doi= 10.1016/j.cplett.2013.06.046| bibcode= 2013CPL...581....1C }}</ref> | ||
Some proponents of alkaline water and the alkaline diet as a whole claim a link between alkaline intake and [[cancer prevention]];<ref name=" | Some proponents of alkaline water and the alkaline diet as a whole claim a link between alkaline intake and [[cancer prevention]];<ref name= "Systematic BMJ" /> no scientific evidence exists for such a connection,<ref name= "Systematic BMJ" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zick |first1=Suzanna Maria |last2= Snyder |first2=Detrick |last3=Abrams |first3=Donald I. |date=November 2018 |title=Pros and Cons of Dietary Strategies Popular Among Cancer Patients |journal= [[Oncology (journal)|Oncology]] |volume=32 |issue=11 |pages=542–547 |pmid=30474102}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-29 |title=Cancer Diets: Myths and More |url= https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/cancer-diets-myths-and-more.html |website= bda.uk.com |publisher=[[British Dietetic Association]] |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211012162819/https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/cancer-diets-myths-and-more.html |archive-date=2021-10-12 |access-date=2022-05-26}}</ref> and as such, several cancer societies have denounced this claim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is an alkaline diet better for me? | website= cancer.ca |url=https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/myths-and-controversies/is-an-alkaline-diet-better-for-me |publisher=[[Canadian Cancer Society]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121050028/https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/myths-and-controversies/is-an-alkaline-diet-better-for-me |archive-date=2022-01-21 |access-date=2022-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-08 |title=The Alkaline Diet: Another Cancer and Diet Claim |url=https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/another-cancer-and-diet-claim-the-alkaline-diet/| website= aicr.org |publisher=[[American Institute for Cancer Research]] |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220424064329/https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/another-cancer-and-diet-claim-the-alkaline-diet/ |archive-date=2022-04-24 |access-date=2022-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Axelrod |first=Alexandra |date=2018-01-26 |title=Friday Fix: The Alkaline Diet |url= https://www.pancan.org/news/friday-fix-alkaline-diet/ | website= pancan.org |publisher=[[Pancreatic Cancer Action Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210725131325/https://www.pancan.org/news/friday-fix-alkaline-diet/ |archive-date=2021-07-25 |access-date=2022-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alternative cancer diets |url=https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/diet-problems/managing/alternative-cancer-diets| website= cancerreasearchuk.org |publisher=[[Cancer Research UK]] |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210518151104/https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/diet-problems/managing/alternative-cancer-diets |archive-date=2021-05-18 |access-date=2022-05-24}}</ref> | ||
==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
Despite being described as 'water ionizers', the machines are designed to work as [[electrolysis of water|water electrolyzers]].<ref name=":0" /> This is an [[electrochemical]] process in which water is split to form [[hydrogen]] and [[oxygen]] by an [[electric current]].<ref name="Aoki_1994">{{cite journal | vauthors = Aoki H, Nakamori M, Aoto N, Ikawa E | title = Wafer treatment using electrolysis-ionized water. | journal = Japanese Journal of Applied Physics | date = October 1994 | volume = 33 | issue = 10R | pages = 5686–5689 | doi = 10.1143/JJAP.33.5686 | bibcode = 1994JaJAP..33.5686A | s2cid = 96980727 | Despite being described as ''water ionizers'', the machines are designed to work as [[electrolysis of water|water electrolyzers]].<ref name=":0" /> This is an [[electrochemical]] process in which water is split to form [[hydrogen]] and [[oxygen]] by an [[electric current]].<ref name="Aoki_1994">{{cite journal | vauthors = Aoki H, Nakamori M, Aoto N, Ikawa E | title = Wafer treatment using electrolysis-ionized water. | journal = [[Japanese Journal of Applied Physics]] | date = October 1994 | volume = 33 | issue = 10R | pages = 5686–5689 | doi = 10.1143/JJAP.33.5686 | bibcode = 1994JaJAP..33.5686A | s2cid = 96980727 }}</ref> In some machines, the process produces [[calcium hydroxide]] and [[hydrochloric acid]] through the use of an [[ion-exchange membrane]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= Structure and types of alkaline ionized water apparatus |website= 3aaa.gr.jp |publisher= Association of Alkaline Ionized Water Apparatus |url= https://www.3aaa.gr.jp/english/structure.html |access-date=2023-10-31}}</ref> | ||
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 such as a running tap would be minimal at best.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-14|first= Alison |last=Campbell |title=Bold claims of water machine examined |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/dr-alison-campbell-bold-claims-of-water-machine-examined/4XZL5V422A3L7W737X6RF2ESBE/ |access-date=2023-10-25 | 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 such as a running tap would be minimal at best.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-14|first= Alison |last= Campbell |title=Bold claims of water machine examined |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ| publisher= |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/dr-alison-campbell-bold-claims-of-water-machine-examined/4XZL5V422A3L7W737X6RF2ESBE/ |access-date=2023-10-25}}</ref> 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-[[Permeability (electromagnetism)|permeable]], the water will undergo another reaction that just leaves neutral water.<ref name="Aoki_1994" /> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{cite news | title = Does Your Water Need More Ions? The latest health fad is even more ridiculous than most health fads | | * {{cite news | title = Does Your Water Need More Ions? The latest health fad is even more ridiculous than most health fads | first = Kent| last= Sepkowitz | work = [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | url = http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/03/ionized_and_alkalinized_water_ridiculous_health_fad_debunked.html | access-date = July 19, 2018}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Water Ionizer}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Water Ionizer}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:28, 2 October 2025
Template:Short description A water ionizer (also known as an 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.[1][2][3] The treated water is called alkaline water. Proponents claim that consumption of alkaline water results in a variety of health benefits, making it similar to the alternative health practice of alkaline diets. Such claims violate principles of chemistry and physiology.[4] There is no medical evidence for any health benefits of alkaline water. Extensive scientific evidence has debunked these claims,[5][6][4] leaving such claims in the pseudoscientific realm.[4]
The machines originally became popular in Japan and other East Asian nations before becoming available in the US and Europe.
Health claims
Water ionizers are marketed on the basis of health claims which are focused on their ability to make water more alkaline. A wide variety of benefits have been claimed, including the ability to slow aging,[7] prevent disease, give the body more energy, and offset alleged effects of acidic foods.[3][8] Some claims include it being twice as hydrating after exercise.[9]
There is no empirical evidence to support these claims, nor the claims that drinking ionized water will have a noticeable effect on the body.[10] Drinking ionized water or alkaline water does not alter the body's pH due to acid-base homeostasis.[7] Additionally, marketers have inaccurately claimed that the process of electrolysis changes the structure of water from large non-bioavailable water clusters to small bioavailable water clusters, called "micro clusters".[11]
Some proponents of alkaline water and the alkaline diet as a whole claim a link between alkaline intake and cancer prevention;[6] no scientific evidence exists for such a connection,[6][12][13] and as such, several cancer societies have denounced this claim.[14][15][16][17]
Operation
Despite being described as water ionizers, the machines are designed to work as water electrolyzers.[3] This is an electrochemical process in which water is split to form hydrogen and oxygen by an electric current.[1] In some machines, the process produces calcium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid through the use of an ion-exchange membrane.[18]
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 such as a running tap would be minimal at best.[19] 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.[1]
See also
Script error: No such module "Portal".
- Alkaline diet
- Pseudoscience
- Quackery
- Electrodeionization
- Magnetic water treatment
- Negative air ionization therapy
- Self-ionization of water
- Ultrafiltration
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:Skeptoid
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".