» Around the water cooler: ionized water
Zara Baker looks at the health benefits of ionized water and asks: are you drinking enough of the clear stuff?
The warmer weather means it’s easier to guzzle down a glass of water. During the winter months, plain drinking water wasn’t high on the agenda. Now though, it’s time to take stock and ask ourselves: are we drinking enough?
A bottle of water is the easiest option. With the aim to get a litre during my working day, the progress is clearly right in front of me, which helps me stay on track. 20 per cent of our recommended daily intake of water comes through our food. Six to eight glasses a day will help make up the rest. If you manage to guzzle a litre of fizzy drink in your day, this is not the same. Fizzy drinks, tea and coffee are mild diuretics, meaning they don’t quench our thirst and actually take water from the body. Around two thirds of our body is made up of water so staying hydrated is key to functioning properly.
Drinking plenty of water boosts our energy and improves concentration. It’s an instant pick-me-up so try upping your water intake when you’re feeling sluggish. Dehydration can affect our short term memory and make us confuse thirst for hunger.
Drinking more water can reduce your appetite meaning potential weight loss! Not only that, water can help keep the skin clear and blemish free. It’s a well known beauty fact that beats any of the latest lotions and potions: water can help improve acne and prevent signs of ageing. Most importantly, water supports the heart. When we’re dehydrated, the blood thickens, meaning the heart has to work harder to move blood through the body delivering oxygen and nutrients. As a result, we feel sluggish and unable to concentrate as our body and mind don’t function as well. An indication of whether you’re drinking enough is to check the colour of your urine. When we’re hydrated enough, urine is pale and clear, otherwise it appears cloudy and dark yellow.
What is ionized water?
The additional health benefits of ionized water are worth raving about. Compared to normal water, ionized water is six times more hydrating, and is absorbed and used by the body more efficiently.
Ionized water is known as nature’s antioxident. It helps oxygen production, increasing our energy and reducing symptoms of ageing. Increased oxygen in turn helps destroy cancer cells, remove waste and carry nutrients, meaning a healthier, energised body.
Here’s the science bit: a water ionizer uses low-voltage electrolysis to separate the unwanted acid components from the beneficial alkaline components. The alkaline ionized water is what comes out the tap for us to drink, wash and cook with. It’s known as ‘live water’ because of the increased oxygen, and is said to be similar to the water the Hunzakuts drink directly from glacial streams in the Himalayas.
Ionized water is not only great to drink. Used in cooking, it hydrates the food, promoting the goodness and flavour of what we eat. Ionized water is also beneficial for the skin and great for cleaning/sterilising.
For a healthier body and healthier environment, a water ionizer is the way forward. Now set out the cups and see who can drink the most…
