When it comes to water, many people tend to think that all water is the same. However, this is not entirely true.
There are many different types of water you can purchase, many of which have added vitamins and minerals.
Some of these minerals or vitamins are naturally found in the water, however, some are added as potential health benefits.
When it comes to different types of water, there are two that are fairly common and well known, these are Ionized water and Alkaline water. Often people can even mistake one for the other, but, are they the same thing?
Which is better ionized or alkaline water?
To answer this question briefly, alkaline and ionized water are not the same thing. This is something that we are going to discuss in more detail in this article.
To understand both types of water in more detail, you will need to understand the science behind each type of water.
Ionized Water
To understand Ionized water, you need to know what Ionization is. Ionization happens when a molecule or atom loses electrons. The process of losing this atom causes the atom to become a charged particle. This charged particle is called an ion.
An ion has an electrical charge that will either be negative or positive, depending on the individual ion. This charge is determined by either the gaining of an electron or the lack of one.
When it comes to Ionized water, this has a negative or positive electrical charge. This is by the minerals that occur in the water. Ionized water typically features minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These gain or lose electrons which causes a negative or positive charge.
Alkaline water
When thinking of alkaline things, typically people will think of the pH scale. Alkalinity measures the neutralization of acids. Numbers that are higher than 7 on this scale are on the alkaline section.
Water is capable of decreasing and neutralizing acid. Given this, the higher the amount of alkalinity there is in water, the less acidic it will become.
Alkaline water is said to have many different health benefits, which include decreasing the amount of acid that is in the body.
As you can see, these two types of water are different. While Ionized water can be alkaline in its pH, alkaline and Ionized water are not the same and have different features and health benefits.
The Differences Between Ionized and Alkaline Water
As we have touched upon above the main differences are the type of water each is. Even Ionized water that is alkaline is still different from alkaline water. Ionized alkaline water will still have minerals in it, whereas standard alkaline water does not.
Acidic ionized water tends to feature carbonate. Given that this type of Ionized water is acidic, it is very different from standard alkaline water.
The Potential Health Benefits of Alkaline Water
Now that you know the differences between alkaline and ionized water, it is worth noting the benefits of alkaline water, as they do differ from the benefits of ionized water.
Alkaline water is a popular choice of water to drink because of its links with health benefits. It is thought that drinking alkaline water can be good for the digestive system, especially if you suffer from bad acid reflux and this can help to neutralize stomach acid.
In addition to this, consuming alkaline water has also been linked to helping certain other health conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is also said to have an anti-oxidant effect.
However, the vast majority of people are still recommended to drink regular water which has a more neutral pH level. In addition to this, some health professionals do have reservations about consuming alkaline water and the effectiveness of it, which is worth taking into consideration.
It can also potentially cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
The Potential Health Benefits of Ionized Water
There are said to be a handful of health benefits that you can receive from drinking Ionized water. While some types of ionized water do contain minerals, not all ionized water does. It can also be filtered or distilled.
It is said that Ionized water can help to aid with energy increase and overall focus. In addition to this, if there are minerals in the water this is good for your overall health.
While many companies do claim that there are many health benefits to this, it is worth noting that these claims are not always necessarily deep-rooted in science. While it is safe to consume, it should always be done with caution, though there are not necessarily any health risks linked.
While looking at the health benefits of both of these types of water, many companies claim many different benefits. However, while these waters are typically safe to drink, it is worth taking the health benefits with a pinch of salt.
Water that has a regular pH level is always the best to consume overall.
Summary
Is ionized water the same as alkaline water? No. alkaline and ionized water are different from each other. While alkaline ionized water is similar to regular alkaline water, there are still some differences. These differences are caused by the ionization process that ionizes water features.
While alkaline water can only have an alkaline pH, ionized water can be either acidic or alkaline, depending on the type of charge the ions have.
While many health benefits can be linked to both types of water, it is worth noting that many of these claims that are made by companies are not deeply rooted in science.
While alkaline food or drinks can potentially help to neutralize things such as stomach acid, if you are experiencing these problems, we would recommend that you consult a doctor.
On the whole, alkaline and Ionized water are generally safe to consume. However, there are potential side effects that can be caused. In addition to this, regular water with a more neutral pH is always the best type you can drink.