Activated Water, a powerful Antioxidant and Moisturizer

This time I want to talk to you about Activated Water, and its beneficial antioxidant and moisturizing properties.

If you’re a runner, especially if you’re a long distance runner, you’ve heard how important it is to always keep your body well hydrated and effectively counteract the oxidative effect of dangerous free radicals.

With the first recommendation we manage to maintain our internal environment in optimal conditions to delay muscular exhaustion as much as possible. The second prevents free radicals resulting from aerobic exercise from causing irreparable damage to our tissues, organs, veins and arteries.

How can we combat runner oxidation?

The first step we can take is to include in our daily intake alkaline foods with antioxidant properties, such as vegetables, legumes, fruits, etc.

It is also common, especially among athletes, to use natural food supplements with an antioxidant effect, such as anthocyanidins, vitamin C, krill oil, alpha-lipoic acid, etc.

But a very effective way to counteract the oxidation caused by free radicals, such as Active Oxygen, is to make them associate with other molecules that neutralize them, such as Active Hydrogen.

If the concentration of active hydrogen in the body is high, active hydrogen combines with active oxygen neutralizing it. The result is neutral water, which is no longer dangerous and is easily expelled from the body.

But how can we bring active hydrogen into our bodies to fight oxidation? The answer is drinking Activated Water.

To understand what Activated Water is, it is necessary to first review a very important concept, pH.

What is pH?

pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a liquid.

The pH scale ranges from very acidic (pH=0) to very basic or alkaline (pH=14), the neutral value being pH=7. The pH grows exponentially, i.e. for each unit of pH the increase is ten times.

You can learn more about pH in this post on my blog.

How to measure the pH of a solution

To measure the pH of a liquid or solution, there are different methods. The most common and convenient are to use litmus paper or a digital pH meter, or pH meter.

Litmus Paper

Litmus paper is an absorbent strip of paper that changes color 15 seconds after coming into contact with the liquid, acquiring a color that varies according to the pH of the substance. Once this time has elapsed, the color that the paper has taken is compared with a sample book that relates color to pH. In this way we have a measure of the acidity-basicity of a solution. The advantages of this method are:

• No batteries required.
• It is a simple method to know the pH if we do not need too much precision.
• Unlike the digital pH meter, you do not need to calibrate the instrument periodically.

If you are interested, in this link you can buy litmus paper here. In addition, if you have not already done so, you can request the 1 month trial of Amazon Premium, so you get free shipping.

Litmus paper for pH measurement

Digital pH meter

Digital pH meters measure the pH of a liquid or solution using the electrochemical method, i.e. measuring the potential that develops through a very fine glass that separates the solution from another contained in the glass as a basis for measurement. The advantages of this method are:

• Greater precision in the measurement, coming to measure the pH with decimals.
• The measurement is not affected by dyes or colors of the liquid we want to measure.
• More economical in the long run than litmus paper.

This is the method I use today for its greater comfort, precision and for being more economical given the number of times I use it. If you are interested, you can purchase the digital pH meter here.

Digital pH meter

They are usually accompanied by solution samples to calibrate the device. There should be an instruction manual in English as well.

What is Activated Water?

Activated Water is produced by dissociating neutral water molecules into anions and cations, either by the electrolysis process or by the filtering process.

By exposing water to this process it acquires totally different properties to those it had when we received it from the tap, we transform it into two different molecular forms known as Alkaline Water (pH>7) and Acid Water (pH<7). If we mix the two types of water we would again have neutral water of pH=7.

Activated Water is harmless and we can use it both internally and externally, for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties, beneficial to the body.

Activated Water with its electrolytic parameters is very close to body fluids (blood, cellular liquid,…). For this reason it is quickly incorporated into the vital activity of the organism, positively affecting its energetic balance.

Among the many studies carried out on Activated Water are those of the Japanese Professor Sanetaka Shirahata, who says:

Here is a short video in which Professor Shirahata explains his studies. If you prefer you can activate the subtitles.

How to obtain Activated Water?

There is a great variety of equipment on the market, from the very simple at economic prices, to the most sophisticated, with higher prices. The equipment can dissociate the water by means of electrolysis processes or by filtering. In both cases Activated Water is obtained.

Electrolysis Alkaline water jug

If you want to obtain both alkaline and acidic water, I recommend using this electrolysis ionizing jug. The main advantages of this jar are: it is more economical and does not require filters.

• Its price is cheaper than that of filter jars.
• It does not require the periodic replacement of filters for its operation.
• It has a low voltage and its power consumption is small.
• It produces both alkaline and acidic water, both with many different uses.
• Pitcher free of hormone disruptors (Bisphenol A and Phthalates).
• Easy to clean and maintain.

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How the Electrolysis Activated Water Ionizing Jar Works

The word electrolysis means to break or to separate. In this way the water molecule is reorganized instead of being H2O it is transformed into Hydroxyl ion (-OH) and a Hydronium ion (+H3O). Acidic Water rich in Hydronium ions is produced in the Anode and Alkaline Water in the Cathode, rich in Hydroxyl ions.

To obtain Activated water between the Titanium electrodes, a kaolin container is placed, which acts as a diaphragm and has the property of allowing the ions to pass but not the water molecules, thus avoiding the mixing of the two types of water produced, Acidic Water and Alkaline Water.

The jug I use is rather cheap, and for those of you who want to try the benefits of Activated Water is more than enough. In this link you can find the water ionizing jug activated by electrolysis which I use, at a very interesting discount.

To see how to make alkaline water with this jug I recommend you watch the video that accompanies this post.

This is a 1.5 litre capacity jar with a kaolin container inside, which in about 10 minutes produces 1 litre of Alkaline Water and 0.5 litres of Acid Water.

Titanium electrodes are located on the lid of the carafe, connected to a power supply through the 220V-12V transformer.

As can be seen in the sequence of photos, tap water changes from pH 7 to pH 5.4 in the case of Acid Water, contained inside the ceramic vessel (kaolin).

Neutral Water and Acidic Water

Outside of kaolin, neutral water changes from pH 7 to pH 8.4 and becomes Alkaline Water.

Neutral Water and Alkaline Water

If we want to vary the pH value of the two types of water obtained, this can be done by varying the initial amounts of water inside and outside the ceramic vessel.

If we want more acidic water, we can do two things:

• Put less water into the kaolin.
• Put more water out of the kaolin.

Of course, you can opt for both at the same time.

It is also advisable to have a pH meter to know exactly its value until you learn the most appropriate proportion and the necessary time.

Alkaline water jug of filters

If you are only looking to obtain Alkaline Water, or the process of electrolysis is somewhat uncomfortable for you, I recommend you to use this alkaline filter jug. In this way, filtered and alkaline water is obtained quickly and conveniently, without the need for electricity and without having to prepare it prior to consumption.

The main advantages of this jug are:

• Produces alkaline water with a pH of 8.5-9.5.
• It does not require electricity.
• Filters tap water while alkalinizing it, helping to eliminate chlorine, pesticides, nitrites, heavy metals, trihalomethanes and excess lime.
• Provides minerals such as magnesium.
• Free of hormone disruptors (Bisphenol A and Phthalates).
• Antibacterial protection.

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Active Oxygen

Oxygen is a basic element for life. Our immune system uses it to transform it into active oxygen to fight infections.

When active oxygen is decompensated inside our body, it is considered the cause of many diseases. It is often referred to as poisonous oxygen as it is a strong oxidant. In this situation of instability it attacks the walls of the cell membranes of all our organs, arteries, veins and nervous system, producing serious alterations in its molecular structure, even producing inflammations, tumors and cancer.

Active oxygen is also generated when the body’s cells produce energy to carry out an activity, as in our case when we run, and also when the body is in conditions of strong stress.

About 2% of the oxygen we normally breathe becomes active oxygen, and this amount increases to about 20% with aerobic exercise.

If we drink Activated Water we reduce the risk that supposes the presence of an excess of active oxygen in our body.

Benefits of Activated Water

Activated Water, as I mentioned earlier, is composed of two types of water: Acidic Water and Alkaline Water.

Acidic Water (anolite)

It is a transparent liquid like water, which can have a soft yellowish hue, with a faint taste and acid smell. Normally it has a pH between 2.5-5.5. The lower the index, the greater the acidity.

This type of water is an excellent bactericide and disinfectant. It has a positive electrical charge of about 0.9-1.1 volts, which enhances its effect.

This type of water contributes to immune function and helps detoxify the body. It also acts by slowing down biological organic processes: it lowers blood pressure, calms nerves, improves rest and reduces joint pain.

Acidic Water maintains its properties for three weeks in an opaque and tightly closed container.

Benefits of Acidic Water:

• Deep hydration of our tissues at the cellular level.
• Excellent healing and astringent.
• It slows down biological processes.
• Improves metabolism.
• Lowers blood pressure and calms nerves.
• Excellent for treating fungal infections (Athlete’s Foot)
• Excellent bactericide and disinfectant completely biodegradable and innocuous.
• Reduces pain in the extremities and joints.

Alkaline Water (catholite)

The Alkaline Water is somewhat more turbid, with a soft grayish tone. If it is left to rest for a while, the sediments fall to the bottom of the container and it becomes transparent. The radionuclides contained in the water are concentrated in these deposits. It has no smell and alkaline taste, it is very soft.

It normally has a pH between 8.0 and 10.0. The higher the index, the higher the alkalinity.

It has a negative electrical charge of about 0.8-0.9 volts.

It is an excellent toner and stimulant, as well as being a natural antioxidant. It also accelerates organic biological processes: it raises blood pressure, improves food assimilation, accelerates metabolism, provides vitality and energy.

Alkaline Water maintains its properties for one week in a tightly closed container, best in an opaque container.

Benefits of Alkaline Water:

• Deep hydration of our tissues at the cellular level, including optimal hydration after physical exercise.
• Strengthening of the immune system, maintaining the acid/base balance of our body.
• Relief of joint pain.
• Increases the energy supply of cells by stimulating the connection of cell respiration and the processes of oxidative phosphorylation.
• It is a powerful source of antioxidants, eliminates free radicals.
• Makes nutrients more efficiently absorbed.
• Intensifies the detoxifying function of the liver, kidneys.

I leave you this video in which they show experiments of a Japanese study that corroborate some of the benefits of the Alkaline Activated Water on the organism:

The great moisturizing power of Activated Water for the runner

Another important aspect that we must take into consideration of Activated Water is its great power of hydration. It can be consumed for this purpose on a regular basis as it is completely harmless.

Normal water molecules are grouped into clusters of 11 to 16 molecules. In the process of the electrolysis of the water the clusters are broken, being reduced to clusters of 5 to 8 molecules. This new arrangement of molecules makes them more easily absorbed by cell membranes and therefore, they pass faster through the walls of our capillaries, tissues and organs.

It substantially improves the speed of absorption of water by the body, both topically and internally and thereby increase the benefits of cleaning, filtering and excreting toxic waste generated by our body as a result of acid waste produced by cellular metabolism.

In addition we get a quick hydration of all the cells of the tissues and organs of our body using the Alkaline Activated Water.

Conclusion

As you have seen, the properties of Activated Water are very beneficial, as they help us not only to counteract that serious hidden danger for the runner that is acidosis, but also for being a powerful antioxidant and moisturizer.

Before I finish, a little warning:

When drinking both types of water, Acid and Alkaline, it is necessary to allow a period of time of one hour to pass between one and the other so that they are absorbed by the organism, since if Acid and Alkaline Water are mixed, neutral water is produced, losing all the properties previously described.

I hope you found this post interesting and if so, I encourage you to share it on social networks. I also recommend that you read this post about how to make alkaline lemon drink, which I’m sure you’ll find very useful. As always I also invite you to leave your opinions, doubts or experiences through comments or social networks.

Greetings,
Teodoro Vázquez