electrolyzed-reduced water: the science

Electrolyzed-reduced water, or electrochemically reduced water, is a functional drinking water containing a lot of molecular hydrogen. It differs from alkaline water in that alkaline water is only made available at a higher (more alkaline) pH level than tap or filtered water. ERW has been a popular type of water for many decades and continues to be popularized across the world due to its many claimed health benefits.

This study notes “ERW has been a popular type of water for many decades and continues to be popularized across the world due to its many claimed health benefits. Some of the claims have a scientific rationale and are supported by published studies, whereas others lack evidence or even falsifiability [1]. Over the past 50+ years of ERW use and research, it has now been confirmed that ERW can exert meaningful biological effects, and that molecular hydrogen is responsible for those biological effects [2]. Unfortunately, the recognition of the importance of H2 in ERW is still lagging. This has contributed to several unfortunate consequences including (i) the difficulty for mainstream science to accept that ERW has biological effects, (ii) the persistence and proliferation of debunked and pseudoscientific claims about ERW, (iii) inadequate scientific research on ERW…”

what is kangen water?

Kangen (meaning “return to origin” in Japanese) is water produced from a small counter-top ionizer created by a Japanese company called Enagic. The company has been producing these machines for decades, though they have just recently become more mainstream in the states (for varying reasons). Other water ionizers on the market offer some similar features to Kangen water, but what makes Kangen water different is that it is not just alkaline water, it’s electrochemically-reduced water (ERW). Kangen water does not remove many minerals that are lost in the process of purifying bottled water. Kangen water has a negative oxidation-reduction potential or ORP.

Kangen water is high in molecular hydrogen, which is why it hydrates the body more effectively than tap, bottled, or filtered waters.

Water that is hydrogen rich has a high concentration of Molecular Hydrogen (H2). Molecular hydrogen acts as an efficient antioxidant that diffuses rapidly across cell membranes and can reduce free radicals, suppressing oxidative stress. Through the process of electrolysis, your tap water becomes hydrogen rich Kangen water.

“ERW is characterized by having a high pH, low dissolved oxygen gas concentration, high dissolved hydrogen gas concentration, and a negative oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) [1,16,17,18,19,20,21]. In 1931, research on ERW in Japan began [22], and in 1965 the Japanese government approved water ionizers to help alleviate various gastrointestinal conditions [1,23,24,25]. A decade later, in 1978, the Korean Federal Drug Administration also approved water ionizers for similar reasons [26]. However, in these early years, the role of solubilized hydrogen gas as a therapeutic agent was not yet recognized. This is understandable since this was before it was scientifically determined that molecular hydrogen had any biological effects.”

To this day, there is a TON of misinformation online about what is and isn’t alkaline water, ERW, AEW, etc. etc. etc… When you jump down the proverbial rabbit hole, it’s easy to get lost in what it true and what isn’t. It’s even harder to differentiate fact from fiction when you add brand competition and mudslinging into the mix. But there is one thing that helps Kangen water stand out, at least in my personal opinion: I don’t think any of the other “ionizers” I have seen on the market have been shown to do more than produce chemically alkaline water (water that is loaded with electrolytes and other additives that help it appear alkaline on a pH testing strip test) versus water that is molecularly alkaline (ERW, water with molecular hydrogen), like Kangen water.

antioxidant

Oxidation reactions in the body can produce free radicals, while antioxidants terminate these reactions. Elevated rates of oxidants and insufficient antioxidants in the body cause oxidative stress. A constant supply of external sources of antioxidants should be part of one‘s daily diet, to reduce oxidative stress and related damage. This is why everyone should not only care about the quantity of the water we drink, but also about the quality. Both are essential for our wellbeing.

alkaline

As with most things in life, optimal health begins with balance. Our bodies must maintain a pH balance of 7.365, which is slightly alkaline. A pH scale is used to determine whether a substance is acidic or alkaline. On this scale 7.0 is neutral. Anything above 7 is considered alkaline and anything below 7 is considered acidic.

negative ORP

Hydrogen rich water is characterised by exhibiting a negative ORP. A high ORP value (in positive numbers), indicates that a substance has a higher oxidizing potential. In generalised terms, for humans a positive or high ORP is better for the outside of the body (cleaning and sanitizing). A low ORP value (in negative numbers) indicates that a substance has a higher antioxidizing potential, and is preferred for oral consumption. Just like pH, ORP values are an important measurement for determining the quality of water.

Why does it matter?

I’ve linked a couple of studies here that review research done in regards to the benefits of ERW. A google search of ERW gives you mixed reviews, and you have to be knowledgeable about what you’re reading. Some articles will tell you that this water is dangerous - and it is, at a high pH level (over 9.8, which we don’t recommend drinking!). I suggest doing your own research and coming to your own conclusions before deciding for yourself if purchasing a machine, drinking the water, and using it daily is right for you and your family.

This study reviewed the effect on health, including gastrointestinal symptoms, of drinking ERW on a daily basis. Researchers did not specifically select patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. ERW is considered to contribute to intestinal normalization, and when drinking ERW, a high proportion of the respondents said that they felt they were able to sleep soundly; the proportion of subjects who answered that they felt good when awakening increased. The effect of reducing oxidative stress, thus allowing for improved sleep, was exhibited by drinking ERW containing hydrogen, which is considered to be an antioxidant substance.

In another critical medical study, researchers in Italy conducted a study that showed that ERW treatment of specific breast cancer cells in mice inhibited cell survival and prolonged tumor-free survival.

And in reviewing the antioxidative benefits of H2, this study “collectively demonstrated for the first time that ERW protects several types of neuronal cells by scavenging ROS because of the presence of hydrogen and platinum nanoparticles dissolved in ERW.” Results like these have impacts on research in the field of neural diseases like Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).