Alkaline-ionized water devices deliver health benefits at home

Monday, March 12, 2007 by: M. T. Whitney
Tags: pH balance, alkaline water, ionized water

(NewsTarget) Drinking water with higher alkalinity is good for your health, according to Toronto-based Clearlight Holistics, which makes water ionizers and other holistic health products. Research from scientists supports this argument, but there is some dissent regarding the effectiveness of ionizing water, according to the web site Wikipedia.com.

Jump directly to: conventional view | alternative view | bottom line

What you need to know - Conventional View

• A water ionizer electrically separates the acidic and alkaline elements of water and then removes the acidic parts from your drinking water.

• Studies have correlated that water ionization used in Asia has increased the lifespan of people in Japan and South Korea.

• Ionized water offers a high level of helpful antioxidants, medical studies have shown.

• There are many manufacturers of water ionizers to give you more healthful water from your tap.

• Ionizing your water can offset the effects of a heavily-acidic diet of processed foods, the company says. These foods have high acidic levels that are neutralized by ionized water.

• Dentists have suggested for years that neutralizing the acidic qualities of saliva can help prevent cavities from forming.

• "A balanced pH will help prevent illness, so it is very important for your level not to be too acidic. Ionized water, since it is very alkaline, dissolves accumulated acid waste and returns the body to a balance. Keeping ourselves alkaline is the first line of defense in fighting any disease," states Matt Condie, a holistic health advocate and owner of Clearlight Holistics, in a press release.

What you need to know - Alternative View

Statements and opinions by Mike Adams

• The diet of most people is too acidic. This leads to a loss of bone mineral density and can even lead to a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

• However, drinking alkaline water can also weaken stomach acid and reduce the absorption of dietary minerals. Alkaline water should never be consumed with mineral supplements or foods requiring strong acidic breakdown (such as raw foods).

• There are many other strategies for alkalizing the body: drinking fresh vegetable juices (from a juicer or blender), eliminating refined sugars from the diet and avoiding coffee and sodas. Soft drinks are highly acidic because they contain phosphoric acid.

Bottom line

• Ionized water is considered by many as good for your health because it neutralizes the acids found in food.