Alkaline ionized water, or alkaline ionizer machines, have gained a lot of attention recently. However, their high price and uncertain benefits have left many consumers wondering if they are worth the investment. Let’s explore and understand these machines today!
1 What is an Alkaline Ionizer Machine?
Concept
An alkaline ionizer machine is a premium water purifier that not only produces purified water but also generates alkaline water rich in hydrogen.
Alkaline ionized water is produced through electrolysis (also known as electrolysis: alkaline ionized water) to separate water into H+ and OH- ions, resulting in alkaline water (pH > 7.0) with trace minerals and antioxidants.
[captionnews]Panasonic TK AS66 5-plate Alkaline Ionizer Machine[/captionnews]
The research on alkaline ionized water began in Japan as early as 1931. By the 1950s, Dr. Machisue Suwa successfully developed the technology to ionize water, creating a natural alkaline drinking water source.
In 1965, the health benefits of alkaline ionized water were recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Health, and alkaline ionizer machines were considered home medical devices recommended for Japanese families.
Structure of an Alkaline Ionizer Machine
– Primary Filtration System: This system can have multiple filtration levels depending on the machine model and brand, but they all work to thoroughly purify the water by removing contaminants, bacteria, viruses, etc. The resulting water after this step is pure and suitable for cooking and direct drinking without boiling.
– Electrode Assembly: This is the most critical component of the alkaline ionizer machine. The electrode assembly functions to electrolyze water molecules. After electrolysis, the water molecules become smaller, gain antioxidant properties, and exhibit alkaline characteristics.
[captionnews]The filters of the IONPIA 5250 5-core 5-plate Alkaline Ionizer Machine[/captionnews]
– Microcontroller: This component adds convenience and sophistication to the alkaline ionizer machine. A more advanced microcontroller will offer additional features such as filter replacement alerts, automatic electrode rinsing, notifications for different water modes, and malfunction warnings.
– Water Outlet: Used to dispense water, with variations like a lever, sensor, or rotating knob across different machine models.
Working Principle
The operation of an alkaline ionizer machine is based on the principle of water electrolysis to produce alkaline and acidic water. When water enters the machine, it undergoes two main steps:
Step 1: Create pure water – The incoming water passes through a multi-level filtration system to remove impurities, dust, bacteria, viruses, metals, etc., resulting in pure water.
Step 2: Generate alkaline water
The pure water is then directed into an electrolysis chamber containing titanium electrodes, which separate water molecules. Alkaline water is formed at the negative electrode, combining with positively charged hydrogen ions. Acidic water, on the other hand, is formed at the positive electrode.
At the end of these two stages, the resulting water is electrolyzed alkaline water rich in hydrogen.
2 Are Alkaline Ionizer Machines Good? Why Are They Expensive?
Many people are curious about whether alkaline ionizer machines are beneficial and why they are so costly. To help you understand better, let’s explore the following content:
The Best Water Purification Technology, Producing 5 – 12 Types of Water
1. Acidic Water:
- Mildly Acidic Water:
Alkaline ionizer machines can also produce mildly acidic water with a pH range of 5.5 – 6.5. This type of water has a pH level similar to that of human skin, making it ideal for skincare. It helps balance the skin’s pH, tightens pores, improves skin smoothness, and can even contribute to shiny hair.
- Strongly Acidic Water:
Alkaline ionizer machines can generate strongly acidic water with a pH below 5, primarily composed of HCLO (Hypochlorite). This type of water is used for handwashing, disinfecting kitchen utensils, and sterilizing and stopping bleeding from wounds.
[captionnews]Water with a pH below 5 is commonly used for cleaning kitchen utensils and surfaces[/captionnews]
2. Alkaline Water:
- Strongly Alkaline Water:
Strongly alkaline water has a pH >= 10 and is effective in killing bacteria. Specifically, water with a pH of 11.5 can be used to rinse the surfaces of fruits and vegetables to effectively remove pesticides or preservatives, and even reduce the astringency of certain foods.
Additionally, you can use water with a pH of 10 to rinse rice, but it is recommended to use pure drinking water instead to avoid losing essential nutrients in the rice grains.
- Super-Hydro Alkaline Water:
Super-Hydro alkaline water helps preserve the freshness of food for a more extended period by enhancing its antioxidant properties with increased hydrogen content. This type of water is suitable for washing fruits and vegetables or rinsing rice to remove harmful substances from their surfaces.
3. Alkaline Ionized Water:
- Super-Hydro Alkaline Ionized Water:
These machines can produce Super-Hydro alkaline ionized water, which is beneficial for the body, especially for those who engage in intense physical activities or laborious work. Daily consumption of this water can also help improve various health conditions such as stomach aches, high blood pressure, diabetes, insomnia, acid reflux, aging, and more.
[captionnews]Kangen LeveLuk SD501 7-plate Alkaline Ionizer Machine produces water rich in alkaline ions, beneficial for health.[/captionnews]
- Alkaline Ionized Water pH 9.5+:
Alkaline ionized water with a pH of 9.5+ helps neutralize highly acidic foods and beverages like alcohol, sugary drinks, red meat, fried foods, etc. It also stimulates the germination and growth of seeds.
- Alkaline Cooking Water:
This type of water can be used for cooking, such as cooking rice, stewing, making soup, brewing tea or coffee… The higher the pH, the stronger the extraction effect. It also helps soften food faster, enhancing the color, flavor, and aroma of dishes. Additionally, it contributes to energy savings by eliminating the need for hydrogen.
4. Neutral Filtered Water
With a pH range of 6.8 – 8.5, this neutral filtered water is suitable for drinking, cooking, mixing with milk formula, or taking medication. It can be consumed by both adults and children.
Certified as Medical Devices
Most alkaline ionizer machines available in the market today are certified as medical devices, with only a few exceptions.
To be certified as a medical device, an alkaline ionizer machine must meet the following criteria:
- After years of use, the dissolved hydrogen concentration remains high and does not decrease significantly.
- The pH level produced by the alkaline ionized water must be accurate and stable, not exceeding 10.0.
- The minerals present in alkaline ionized water are 100% natural, without the addition of artificial minerals or compensatory cores.
[captionnews]Fuji Smart i9 Alkaline Ionizer Machine from Japan with Super-Hydro for better health[/captionnews]
Electrodes Made from Precious Materials
In alkaline ionizer machines, the electrodes are considered the heart of the machine, and they are made from precious materials like Titanium coated with Platinium. These electrodes enable the machine to operate powerfully while increasing the dissolved hydrogen content in the water.
Additionally, electrodes made from precious materials ensure your health and safety by providing corrosion resistance and excellent electrical conductivity.
[captionnews]IONPIA 5250 5-core 5-plate Alkaline Ionizer Machine produces alkaline ions beneficial for health.[/captionnews]
Generating Water with High Hydrogen Concentration and Low ORP
This is one of the critical indicators of a quality alkaline ionizer machine. Most machines in this category produce water with a high hydrogen concentration and low ORP. The high hydrogen concentration enhances the antioxidant properties of the water, promoting health and preventing various diseases.
Fuji Smart i9 10-plate Alkaline Ionizer Machine produces water with a high hydrogen concentration and low ORP
The ORP value also contributes to the oxidation and reduction of harmful substances in the water, providing numerous benefits. A lower ORP indicates stronger antioxidant properties in the water, and a higher hydrogen concentration is more beneficial for health.
The advantages mentioned above demonstrate that alkaline ionized water is a versatile resource that not only promotes health and prevents diseases but also assists with daily chores for homemakers. Hopefully, the information provided has helped you understand alkaline ionizer machines, their benefits, and the reasons behind their high price tags.
- Consultation on Choosing the Right Alkaline Ionizer Machine for Your Family
- Characteristics and Effects of Different Types of Water Produced by Alkaline Ionizer Machines
- 5 Reasons to Choose the IONPIA Alkaline Ionizer Machine