I t is perfectly normal not to be familiarized with all the terms and stats associated with machines like water ionizers. However, when you plan on buying an alkaline ionizer, matters change as it is preferred for you to know exactly what all of its specs indicate to better appreciate the product’s quality and decide whether or not it rises to your expectations.
The two stats that you are likely unfamiliar with and that make a big difference when it comes to the quality of the ionized water produced by the appliance are pH and ORP. Let’s go over their meaning, role, and what their values indicate to help you make an informed decision at the end of the day.
Is your mind made up on buying an alkaline ionizer but you are not sure what to pick? Then see our listing of the best alkaline water ionizers as regardless of the model you end up choosing, you know it is a top-tier appliance that provides alkaline water on demand for years to come.
What is pH?
By definition, it is the measurement that shows how acidic or basic a solution is. There is a pH scale to which you can refer, the scale ranging from 0 to 14, where 7 is the neutral value. Anything below it is acidic, while everything above that value is basic. As seen in the picture above, there is a colored scale that you can use as a reference. This reminds of pH test strips that you dip in a water or liquid sample, wait a bit for the strip to change color, and simply match the color that appears to the color diagram to see what the sample’s pH is.
What is the pH of your body?
For there to be a perfect balance, the pH of your blood level should be 7.40. Blood pH of less than 7.35 indicates that you are too acidic and suffer from acidosis, while pH higher than 7.45 can lead to the appearance of alkalosis.
Acidosis can be either respiratory or metabolic. Conditions that lead to respiratory acidosis comprise asthma, pneumonia, and emphysema, while factors that favor metabolic acidosis comprise ketoacidosis, kidney failure, lactic acid buildup, and low sodium bicarbonate blood levels.
Alkalosis can be either respiratory or metabolic. The causes of respiratory alkalosis include aspirin overdose, high pain, high fever, and hyperventilation, while the reasons for the appearance of metabolic alkalosis include kidney damage, overuse of diuretics, vomiting, and an overactive adrenal gland.
Looking for a much easier method to test water pH? Then check out these alkalinity testers and see whether the water you plan on drinking is high-pH or not.
When referring to water, the pH value is in direct correlation to the ratio between H+ ions (positively charged hydrogen ions) and OH- (negatively charged hydroxyl ions). If there is an equivalent concentration of H+ ions and OH- ions, the water if neutral. If the H+ ions concentration is larger, the water is acidic. Lastly, if the OH- ions concentration is larger, then the water is basic.
What is ORP?
Ion exchange is constant, and it is all around us, even if we cannot see it. In fact, it is even happening in our bodies! Seeking balance, substances that lack electrons search for electrons anywhere they can find them. These substances are known as oxidizing agents. On the other hand, substances with an excess of electrons can bestow some of theirs. These substances are known as anti-oxidizing agents.
ORP stands for oxidation-reduction potential. What this measurement indicates is how much a substance can reduce another substance. It is measured in millivolts or mV, and you need a special ORP meter to learn the value. When the ORP value is positive, this implies that the substance is oxidizing. When the value is negative, it shows that the substance is anti-oxidizing.
What pH and ORP Levels Should Ionized Water Have?
What is the pH of alkaline water?
As aforementioned, the neutral pH of water is 7. Anything above pH 8 is classified as alkaline, the ideal level for it being between 8 and 9. When you look into a water ionizer, though, make sure that you opt for a machine with as wide of a selectable pH range as possible so that you can pick the exact level for the water you drink or use to have.
During the process of electrolysis that it uses, the machine divides the stream into acidic and alkaline components, and it is in your interest to be able to control the pH of the water according to the use you have in mind for it (acidic works well for household disinfection, whereas, neutral and alkaline are recommended for hydration).
A machine with a large pH range that lets you pick your exact preferred water, the Jupiter Athena JS205 provides you with 1 neutral, 4 acidic, and 4 alkaline settings.
What is the ORP of alkaline water?
For water to be classified as alkaline, the ORP level should be negative as alkaline water is an anti-oxidizing solution. This specific property is one of the reasons why hydration with ionized water is widely recommended, as its oxidizing reducing potential makes it capable to fight free radicals. Why does this matter for your health? Free radicals are among the causes of cancer appearance as they damage proteins, cells, and even the DNA.
The -1,050mV of the Tyent UCE-11 makes it the best alkaline ionizer when it comes to producing highly oxidant reducing water.
Benefits of Alkaline Water Hydration
We previously mentioned that blood pH higher than 7.45 can lead to a condition known as alkalosis. So why even recommend water that is high-pH and will evidently raise blood pH when used on a regular basis? Well, the answer is simple. Unless you lead the perfect life, where you have no stress or worries on your mind, hydrate with perfect water and do it properly, eat the healthiest of foods, and do the perfect amount of exercise, then you won’t achieve that ideal 7.4 blood pH but rather have acidic levels. Thus, you must insert ionized water into your diet to stabilize pH levels in your body and steer clear from diseases. Just make sure to drink the right amount per day and alternate between purified neutral-pH and high-pH water to not overdo it. Other mention-worthy health benefits include:
- Rapid weight loss;
- Improved digestion;
- Cardiovascular health boost;
- Improved immune system;
- Superior hydration;
- Anti-aging benefits;
- Detoxification;
- Skin health improvement.
Read here about alkaline water health benefits if you want to take a deeper dive into this subject and really learn what the switch to an alkaline diet can provide.
How to Have Alkaline Water for Hydration
While buying alkaline water might seem like the most convenient option, it is a costly affair. Moreover, there is the fact that you will inevitably increase your carbon footprint if you buy bottled water, and participate in plastic pollution as well. Instead of buying it, why not make your own? It’s quite easy, and there are a few options that you can pick from.
For one, alkaline water can be easily prepared with baking soda or lemon juice. You can opt to use pH drops as well if you want a faster, more hassle-free method to produce it. Another easy means to prepare the high-pH water is to use alkaline water sticks that you simply drop in a bottle of regular water and let sit for a few minutes to let the sticks take action.
What Appliances Provide Alkaline Water on Demand
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- Countertop water ionizers: These machines generally let you set the pH and ORP levels, most having an average of 7-8 pH settings provided for you to pick from. They are intended for placement on the counter, next to the sink, but with most, you can separately buy an under sink kit and convert them if you need to clear the counter space. Maintenance-wise, there is not much work that needs to be done seeing how most modern models generally feature automatic self-cleaning. In terms of longevity, if you acquire one that is backed by a lifetime, it is likely going to provide on par performance for as long as you intend to use it.
Easy to use and providing you with 7 pH settings to pick from, the Aqua-Ionizer Deluxe 9 is a product you should not overlook if countertop installation is what you prefer.
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- Under sink water ionizers: Just as effective and efficient as countertop machines, and similar to them from all points of view except for installation, under-sink machines are quite sought-after. Instead of sitting on the counter, they install under the sink, as implied by the name, and the installation is a bit more complicated, but nothing that you cannot handle on your own and with little time wasted too.
Although it can be installed as a countertop unit as well, the Next Generation M11 is among the best under-sink machines available to date, so make sure that you check it out if you prefer this setup.
- Alkaline water pitchers: Cheaper and not as efficient as the previously mentioned products, the pitcher is still a convenient solution as you simply fill it with water and enjoy high-pH hydration until it empties, a moment when you need to simply refill it for the cycle to continue.
Final Thoughts
Whenever you get into a new purchase, doing your homework beforehand is your main priority. With alkaline ionizers, unless you first understand the role and importance of pH and ORP, you won’t be able to pick a product that will truly comply with your needs. Now that you have gained the knowledge you need, feel free to access our special section and see what the best machines to produce alkaline water are, as well as read other useful articles related to water quality, purity, and consumption.
Here are some other articles we recommend you also read:
- What is alkaline water?
- Health benefits of alkaline water
- How much alkaline water should you drink?
- How to make alkaline water?
- Top-rated alkaline ionizers
