Learn why Alkaline Water is good for us. Learn about ORP too.
Ionization alters water in two significant and measurable ways: pH and ORP. These alterations to water are what make it very different from other waters you may drink.
pH stands for "potential hydrogen" and is a measurement that provides an indication of the level of hydrogen in a substance. It is measured by the pH scale. Proper body pH is an Important factor in good health.
ORP
Ionization alters water in two significant and measurable ways: pH and ORP. These alterations to water are what make it very different from other waters you may drink.
pH
pH stands for "potential hydrogen" and is a measurement that provides an indication of the level of hydrogen in a substance. It is measured by the pH scale. Proper body pH is an Important factor in good health.
ORP
The other way an ionizer alters the water is in ORP. This stands for Oxidation Reduction Potential (also known as "Redox") Most leading water researchers from Asia agree that in ionized water the elevated pH is good, but that ORP is more important. Alteration to the ORP is what causes the microclustering, antioxidant and oxygenating effects.
ORP is a "potential" energy that is stored and ready to be put to work. It's not necessarily working, but we know that the energy is there and we can measure it. Another way to look at this potential might be to look at pressure. If you blow up a balloon, there is air pressure inside. As long as the balloon is closed, the pressure remains and can be measured. When released, this Potential energy becomes kinetic energy.
In electrical terms, potential energy can be measured. When we use the term "potential" in describing ORP, we are actually talking about electrical potential as expressed in millivolts. This potential is measured in water with an ORP meter. What you measure is the very slight voltage in water. We are actually measuring the presence of oxidizing or reducing agents by their specific electrical charge, thus Oxidation Reduction "Potential". High pH water has More "reducing" agents (-ORP) and low pH water has more oxidizing agents (+ORP).
Oxidation is what turns an apple brown after it is cut or causes metal to rust. Rust weakens metal and signifies the deterioration of the apple. The process of oxidation “steals” electrons from the surface being oxidized. When we measure a something’s oxidizing potential, it is expressed in +ORP and measures the concentration of ions or oxidizing agents.
A "reducing" agent is simply something that inhibits or slows the process of oxidation. The reducing agent does this by "donating" an electron. When we measure a solution's oxidation reduction potential, it is expressed in terms of ORP and measures the concentration of ions or reducing agents. In its most basic form a reducing agent is an “antioxidant” ~ reducing oxidation. Follow this link to read more detailed info about the science of pH and ORP
