There is a lot of misinformation circulating on the internet that adding pH drops to water creates ionized, microclustered water. It does not! All that is accomplished by adding alkaline minerals to non-structured water (tap water, reverse osmosis water, distilled water or any filtered water) is that the pH is raised and the water is more alkaline than it was before adding the drops. The increase in alkalinity, although important, is only one function of the water ionizer machine. A water ionizer machine not only alkalizes the source water but also ionizes and microcluster the water. It is this ionization process that creates the very important negative ORP (oxidation/reduction potential).
When water is passed through a chamber that has both negative and positive polarities, the water is “split” into hydroxyl ions (OH negative) and hydrogen (H positive), basic electrolysis. The build up of negatively charged hydroxyl ions is what creates the anti-oxidant properties of the water and the negative ORP. In addition, during the ionization process the water, once negatively charged, returns to its natural state in reference to molecular cluster size. What this means is that commercial water, tap water, industrial processed water, all have cluster sizes of 12-15 molecules, whereas ionized water has cluster sizes much smaller and in the range of 6. The water has become microclustered and is said to be restructured. Cluster size is important when considering absorption (the smaller the cluster, the more increased absorption). Increased absorption leads to better hydration and more efficient detoxification.
The processes that occur in a water ionizer machine are somewhat analogous to an air ionizer machine. Air ionizer machines in essence add negatively charged ions into the filtered air as it leaves the machine. The air is cleaner and often smells like a “waterfall”. Would spraying “waterfall” scented aerosol in a room be equivalent to what an air ionizer machine does to the air? Of course not! Nor does adding pH drops, essentially sea salt, to non-structured water and thinking it has become ionized, microclustered water.
Yours pHor Better Health,
Dr. Peter L. Kopko, D.C.
Chief Science Advisor
Life Ionizers