Safety Concerns Found with High-pH Hydrogen Water from Ionizers

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 (excerpt)

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…

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