Safety Concerns Found with High-pH Hydrogen Water from Ionizers
- Authors
- Tyler W. LeBaron, Randy Sharpe, Kinji Ohno
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijms232314508
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- United States
- Health Condition
- Hyperkalemia
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
A special type of water made through electrolysis is being sold as a health drink, but researchers found it can be dangerous if it's too alkaline (basic) or if you have kidney problems, and it might not even contain the beneficial hydrogen it claims to have.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed-reduced water with pH exceeding 9.8 has been associated with dangerous increases in blood potassium levels in some people, and electrode degradation may release harmful metals into the water.
Summary
This review examined the safety of electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW), a type of water created using electrical processes that some people believe contains beneficial hydrogen. While many studies show ERW is safe, the review found that some animal studies reported tissue damage and dangerous potassium levels after drinking it. The main safety concern is that when ERW becomes too alkaline (pH above 9.8), it may release harmful metals from the equipment used to make it, and some people have developed dangerously high potassium levels. The review also notes that the amount of hydrogen in ERW may be too low to have any health benefit.
Practical Takeaway
If you use electrolyzed-reduced water, keep the pH at or below 9.8 and measure hydrogen concentration with accurate methods rather than relying on common meters. People with kidney problems should avoid ERW without doctor approval. This is a review of existing research rather than a new study, and more safety research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of regular ERW consumption.
Abstract
Many studies demonstrate the safety of alkaline-electrolyzed-reduced water (ERW); however, several animal studies have reported significant tissue damage and hyperkalemia after drinking ERW. The mechanism responsible for these results remains unknown but may be due to electrode degradation associated with the production of higher pH, in which platinum nanoparticles and other metals that have harmful effects may leach into the water. Clinical studies have reported that, when ERW exceeds pH 9.8, some people develop dangerous hyperkalemia. Accordingly, regulations on ERW mandate that the pH of ERW should not exceed 9.8. It is recommended that those with impaired kidney function refrain from using ERW without medical supervision. Other potential safety concerns include impaired growth, reduced mineral, vitamin, and nutrient absorption, harmful bacterial overgrowth, and damage to the mucosal lining causing excessive thirst. Since the concentration of H2 in ERW may be well below therapeutic levels, users are encouraged to frequently measure the H2 concentration with accurate methods, avoiding ORP or ORP-based H2 meters. Importantly, although, there have been many people that have used high-pH ERW without any issues, additional safety research on ERW is warranted, and ERW users should follow recommendations to not ingest ERW above 9.8 pH. Keywords: alkaline ionized water; electrolyzed oxidizing water; electrolyzed reduced water; high pH water; molecular hydrogen; oxidation-reduction potential; safety of ERW; water ionizer.