What is Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW)?
Electrolyzed reduced water, often called alkaline ionized water or hydrogen water, is produced using a water ionizer. Tap water first passes through a filter to remove contaminants, such as chlorine and other impurities. It is then subjected to electrolysis, where an electric current passes over titanium plates coated in platinum. This process separates the water into an alkaline, hydrogen-rich stream (ERW) and an acidic stream. The ERW produced has a higher pH, a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and a higher concentration of dissolved molecular hydrogen (H2).
Understanding Tap Water
Tap water is sourced from municipal supplies, including reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater. Before it reaches your home, it is treated at a water treatment plant to make it safe for consumption. This process typically involves several stages:
- Coagulation and flocculation: Chemicals with a positive charge are added to neutralize the negative charge of dirt and other dissolved particles, causing them to clump together.
- Sedimentation: The heavy clumps, called floc, settle to the bottom of the water supply.
- Filtration: The clear water on top passes through filters made of sand, gravel, and charcoal.
- Disinfection: A disinfectant, such as chlorine, is added to kill any remaining disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
While this process ensures the water is safe from immediate microbial threats, some argue that chemical disinfectants and potential unregulated contaminants remain.
Key Differences Between ERW and Tap Water
Electrolyzed reduced water and tap water differ significantly in their chemical makeup and properties. The electrolysis process fundamentally alters the water's characteristics, which proponents claim offers distinct health advantages.
Filtration and Purity
ERW is produced from tap water that is first passed through a quality filter, which removes many impurities present in the initial municipal source. However, the level of purification depends entirely on the quality of the ionizer's filtration system. In contrast, tap water is filtered and disinfected at a municipal level, with the extent of treatment varying by location. Some regulations allow for low levels of certain pollutants to remain in tap water.
pH and Alkalinity
ERW is intentionally alkaline, with a pH that can range from 8.5 to over 10, depending on the ionizer's setting. Proponents claim this helps neutralize acid waste in the body and balance pH. However, critics argue that the body's natural homeostatic mechanisms maintain blood pH, and high-pH water has little long-term effect. Tap water, by contrast, is typically close to neutral pH (around 7), with slight variations based on the source and treatment.
Antioxidant Properties (ORP)
One of the most notable features of ERW is its high concentration of dissolved molecular hydrogen (H2), which provides a negative ORP. Molecular hydrogen is a potent antioxidant that can selectively neutralize harmful free radicals. Tap water, on the other hand, contains virtually no molecular hydrogen and has a positive ORP, indicating its oxidizing nature. The antioxidant benefit is often cited as a key reason to switch to ERW.
Mineral Content
ERW production retains the beneficial minerals present in the source water, such as calcium and magnesium, and some manufacturers claim they are more bioavailable due to the electrolysis process. However, the truth is more complex. High alkalinity can reduce the solubility of some minerals, and the health benefits are more likely linked to the presence of minerals, not the alkalinity itself. The mineral content of tap water is highly dependent on the geographic source. While it contains essential minerals, their concentration and bioavailability are generally not as high as advertised for some bottled alkaline options.
Costs and Sustainability
Obtaining ERW requires a significant initial investment in a water ionizer, which can cost thousands of dollars. It also consumes electricity and requires regular filter replacements. Tap water is a much more affordable and accessible option, as it is supplied directly to homes and is inexpensive to consume. In terms of sustainability, tap water is the clear winner, as ERW devices require manufacturing and energy, while tap water distribution infrastructure is already in place. The cost and environmental impact of ERW devices are definite disadvantages to consider.
Comparison Table: ERW vs. Tap Water
| Feature | Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) | Tap Water |
|---|---|---|
| Production Method | Produced from tap water via electrolysis using a water ionizer. | Sourced from municipal reservoirs and treated at water treatment plants. |
| Filtration | Filtered by the water ionizer, with quality dependent on the specific unit. | Filtered and disinfected at a municipal treatment facility. |
| pH Level | Alkaline (typically pH 8.5-10+) due to added hydroxide ions from electrolysis. | Near neutral (around pH 7), but can vary by location. |
| Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) | Negative ORP, due to dissolved molecular hydrogen, indicating potent antioxidant properties. | Positive ORP, indicating an oxidizing nature. |
| Dissolved Molecular Hydrogen (H2) | Contains higher concentrations of dissolved H2, a selective antioxidant. | Contains virtually no molecular hydrogen. |
| Antioxidant Properties | High due to dissolved H2, which neutralizes harmful free radicals. | Low, as it lacks the active antioxidant components of ERW. |
| Mineral Content | Retains original minerals from tap water; bioavailability claims are contested. | Contains minerals depending on the geographic source, though concentration can be inconsistent. |
| Cost | High initial investment for the ionizer plus ongoing maintenance and filter costs. | Very low cost, making it highly affordable and accessible for daily use. |
| Safety Concerns | Potential for leaching platinum nanoparticles, high pH risks for those with kidney issues, and efficacy depends on device maintenance. | Potential for unregulated pollutants, chemical disinfectants, and pipeline contamination. |
The Potential Health Benefits and Risks
Potential Benefits of ERW
- Antioxidant Effects: The molecular hydrogen in ERW can reduce oxidative stress in the body by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). This has potential implications for reducing inflammation and cellular damage.
- Improved Gut Health: Studies suggest that ERW may promote beneficial gut microbiota and increase short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Enhanced Hydration: Some proponents suggest that the smaller 'micro-clusters' of water in ERW allow for better cellular absorption, though this concept is largely refuted by mainstream science as implausible.
Potential Risks of ERW
- Hyperkalemia: Drinking ERW with a pH above 9.8 can cause dangerous hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) in individuals with impaired kidney function.
- Electrode Leaching: Poor quality or worn-out platinum-coated titanium electrodes in water ionizers can leach potentially toxic platinum nanoparticles or heavy metals into the water, particularly at higher voltages.
- Inconsistent Results: The therapeutic concentration of molecular hydrogen in ERW can be inconsistent and may fall below effective levels without proper monitoring.
Benefits and Concerns of Tap Water
- Accessibility and Fluoridation: Tap water is readily available, affordable, and often contains fluoride, which is vital for dental health.
- Contaminant Risk: Despite municipal filtration, the presence of unregulated or poorly regulated pollutants is a valid concern for some consumers. The quality can also be affected by aging infrastructure, such as lead pipes.
Conclusion
When comparing ERW to tap water, the choice hinges on individual priorities regarding cost, potential health benefits, and risks. ERW offers potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to its dissolved molecular hydrogen, but comes with a high price tag and some safety considerations, particularly for those with certain health conditions. The claims of superior hydration from 'micro-clustering' are scientifically unsubstantiated.
Tap water is the most accessible, affordable, and sustainable option, providing basic, safe hydration. While municipal treatment removes many contaminants, concerns about residual disinfectants and aging infrastructure persist. For those interested in improving their drinking water quality, a simple point-of-use filtration system can effectively address many common tap water issues without the cost and complexity of a full ERW ionizer. Ultimately, the decision requires a careful balance of potential benefits against cost, convenience, and scientifically validated evidence.
Keypoints
- Production and Cost: ERW is expensive, generated through an at-home electrolysis device, while tap water is a low-cost, municipally treated and distributed resource.
- Antioxidant Properties: ERW's key feature is its dissolved molecular hydrogen, a potent antioxidant, which tap water lacks.
- pH Differences: ERW is notably alkaline, whereas tap water is generally neutral, though the health impact of high-pH water is debated.
- Safety Considerations: ERW carries potential risks like electrode contamination and hyperkalemia at high pH, especially for those with kidney issues; tap water's risks relate to potential residual pollutants and infrastructure.
- Efficacy vs. Cost: The scientifically backed benefits of ERW (related to H2) must be weighed against its high cost and the simpler, safer results available from standard water filtration.
- Filtration: Both water sources undergo filtration, but ERW's purity relies on the user's specific ionizer, whereas tap water depends on municipal standards and infrastructure.
FAQs
1. What is the main health benefit claimed for ERW? The main claimed health benefit is its high concentration of molecular hydrogen (H2), a potent antioxidant that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.
2. Is ERW actually healthier than tap water? While ERW may offer some antioxidant benefits due to molecular hydrogen, tap water is considered safe for consumption by health authorities. The potential health benefits of ERW must be weighed against its high cost and risks, and are still under research.
3. Is ERW's alkalinity beneficial for health? Scientific evidence does not support the claim that drinking alkaline water has a meaningful impact on the body's blood pH, which is tightly regulated by natural homeostatic mechanisms. Any potential benefit is more likely linked to the minerals present.
4. Are there any risks to drinking ERW? Yes, risks include hyperkalemia in people with kidney issues from high pH levels and potential leaching of toxic metals from the electrodes used in ionizer machines.
5. Can I get the benefits of ERW without an expensive machine? Yes, alternatives to ERW include molecular hydrogen tablets or other methods that infuse water with H2 gas. These can provide the antioxidant benefits without the high cost and risks associated with ionizers.
6. How can I improve the quality of my tap water? Installing an affordable point-of-use filter, such as a carbon filter, can effectively remove common contaminants like chlorine and improve taste without the need for electrolysis.
7. What is ORP and why is ERW's negative ORP important? ORP, or Oxidation-Reduction Potential, measures a substance's ability to act as an antioxidant or oxidant. ERW's negative ORP indicates its antioxidant capability, in contrast to tap water's positive ORP.
