Compilation of Japanese Alkaline Ion Water Machine Association 2

Q&A about the Effects of Alkaline Ionized Water

About Alkaline Ionized Water and Acidic Water

Q: Please explain the functional effects of alkaline ionized water and acidic water.

A: Direct consumption of alkaline ionized water has been recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare as effective in improving gastrointestinal symptoms (such as chronic diarrhea, hyperacidity, inhibition of gastric acid, indigestion, and abnormal fermentation in the gut). Acidic water, on the other hand, is intended for facial cleansing and washing, and should not be consumed.

Q: Is drinking alkaline ionized water effective for constipation?

A: Alkaline ionized water has been medically and scientifically validated from various angles. Recent studies have reported its effectiveness in improving abnormal bowel movements such as chronic diarrhea and constipation.

Q: Does alkaline ionized water retain its functional effects when used for brewing tea or stored for extended periods?

A: The pH of alkaline ionized water ranges from 9.0 to 10.0. When used for cold brewing tea or stored for long periods, the pH tends to return to neutral. It is recommended to consume freshly prepared alkaline ionized water whenever possible. Additionally, the lifespan of alkaline ionized water after filtration by the water purifier depends on the manufacturer and should be consulted with the respective company.

Q: Does alkaline ionized water have effects on diabetes and allergic dermatitis?

A: The officially recognized use of alkaline ionized water under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law of Japan is limited to improving gastrointestinal symptoms (chronic diarrhea, hyperacidity, inhibition of gastric acid, indigestion, and abnormal fermentation in the gut). Although some medical institutions use it as an adjuvant therapy for diabetes and allergic dermatitis, the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has not officially certified these effects.

Drinking Methods and Precautions

Q: Please explain the precautions when drinking alkaline ionized water.

A: There are three main points to consider:

1. Avoid taking medication with alkaline ionized water.
2. Persons with hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) should refrain from drinking alkaline ionized water.
3. If you experience any abnormal sensations after drinking or symptoms persist, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
4. Consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming alkaline ionized water if you have pre-existing conditions or are in poor health.

Additionally, refer to the product catalog or user manual for other precautions specific to each manufacturer.

Q: How should alkaline ionized water be consumed correctly?

A: Start by setting the pH slightly lower (around pH 8.0-8.5) and gradually increase the pH and consumption (aiming for 500ml to 1L per day) after about two weeks of adaptation. It is recommended to consume freshly prepared alkaline ionized water with a pH of around 9.0-9.5.

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Q: Can children and the elderly drink alkaline ionized water?

A: Start with a lower pH (around pH 8.0-8.5) and gradually increase after adaptation. Infants under one year old, who primarily consume breast milk or formula, should not drink alkaline ionized water due to their unique gut function. However, older children with similar diets to adults can consume it.

Q: Can alkaline ionized water be used to prepare infant formula?

A: Use purified water instead of alkaline ionized water for preparing infant formula, as infants' gut function differs from adults.

Q: Is alkaline ionized water suitable for pregnant and lactating women?

A: If you have been drinking it without issues, continue with caution. However, consult a doctor if you experience any concerning symptoms. Inform your doctor about alkaline ionized water's ability to improve gastrointestinal symptoms, its production through electrolysis, and its increased mineral content (calcium, magnesium).

Q: Will alkaline ionized water neutralize gastric acid in healthy individuals?

A: Unlike pharmaceutical antacids, alkaline ionized water's antacid effect is gentle and gradual, unlikely to neutralize gastric acid in healthy individuals. It requires consistent consumption for preventive effects.

Q: Can alkaline ionized water be used to take medication?

A: Use purified water instead, as alkaline ionized water has its own functional effects and should not be mixed with medications.

Q. Will aluminum products (pots, kettles, etc.) turn black when using alkaline ionized water?

A. Aluminum products are usually subjected to an aluminum oxide treatment (corrosion-resistant treatment).

If the surface treatment coating wears off for some reason, exposing the aluminum substrate, it may turn black or discolor. This is because when the substrate is exposed and alkaline ionized water is used, a white precipitate of aluminum hydroxide will appear, which will form an oxide film and turn black upon heating. (These phenomena can also occur with tap water, but alkaline ionized water accelerates this tendency.)

Since the blackened part is the aluminum oxide film, continued use is harmless, but perforations may occur due to differences in aluminum materials. Therefore, it is advisable to replace the container with one made of other materials (such as stainless steel).

Q. Will white substances appear on the bottom and inner walls of an electric kettle when heating alkaline ionized water?

A. The white substances adhering to the bottom of an electric kettle come from the water and are mainly composed of calcium. Typically, when an electric kettle heats tap water, "white precipitates, rust stains, etc." will also adhere to the kettle, but alkaline ionized water contains more mineral components such as calcium, so there will be more precipitates on the bottom of the kettle.

The calcium deposits (scale) on the bottom or inner walls of the electric kettle can be dissolved and removed with citric acid (a food additive available at pharmacies) or commercial descaling agents. When using descaling agents, please follow the instructions in the user manual and descale regularly (not suitable for aluminum kettles).

Regarding Acidic Water

Q. What are the uses of acidic water?

A. It can be used for facial cleansing or washing. However, the bactericidal effects and therapeutic effects on athlete's foot or burns of acidic water produced by alkaline ionized water machines have not been officially recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.

Q. Please introduce some precautions when using acidic water for facial cleansing.

A. Please note the following two points:

1. People with sensitive skin or allergic constitutions should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

2. If you feel any abnormal sensations on your skin after using acidic water, stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.

Q. Please explain the differences between acidic water produced by an alkaline ionized water machine and "strongly acidic electrolyzed water" used for sterilization and disinfection.

A. "Strongly acidic electrolyzed water" is an acidic aqueous solution primarily composed of hypochlorous acid obtained from the anode side of electrolysis after adding a small amount of salt (sodium chloride with a purity of 99% or more) to tap water to form brine.

Strongly acidic electrolyzed water was developed in Japan in the latter half of the 1980s as a bactericidal water.

The acidic water generated from an alkaline ionized water machine is intended for beauty use in ordinary households. On the other hand, strongly acidic electrolyzed water is recognized as a medical device in Japan for uses such as sterilization and cleaning of fingers (approved in December 1996) and endoscopes (approved in June 1997). They differ in their generation methods, properties, and functional effects.

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Q. Does cooking rice with alkaline ionized water make it taste better?

A. The alkaline pH helps partially decompose starch into reducing sugars or promotes starch gelatinization (by breaking down the three-dimensional structure and weakening hydrogen bonding), making rice more delicious. Many verifications are ongoing.

However, using alkaline ionized water for cooking and preparation differs from its medical use, so one cannot expect the intended functional effects.

Q. Strongly alkaline water (pH above 10) is not recommended for drinking, but why can it be used for cooking?

A. When alkaline ionized water is used for cooking activities such as boiling rice or preparing dishes, its pH tends to return to neutral. This is similar to using baking soda and poses no problem.

Additionally, the beneficial effects of alkaline ionized water on gastrointestinal symptoms are only expected when consumed directly at room temperature. When used for cooking, these effects cannot be anticipated.

Q. What kind of water should be used for watering plants?

A. There are reports suggesting using acidic water for leaves and alkaline ionized water for roots, but due to differences in plant species (acid-loving or alkaline-loving), generalizations cannot be made.

Q. Are alkaline ionized water and electrolyzed reduced water different?

A. Manufacturers use different names, but as long as the product has a "Medical Device Approval Number" and is recognized and certified as a household medical device, the alkaline ionized water produced by these devices generally has similar effects. The differences lie in the production capacity and durability of the products.

(Currently, among functional water generation devices intended for drinking, only "alkaline ionized water machines (household electrolyzed water generators)" are recognized and approved as household medical devices under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.)

Regarding the issue of "reducing power," research is still ongoing, and there is no clear consensus.

In summary, there is no necessary correlation between the name, functional effects, and differences among products.

Q. Are there stick-type products that generate reduced water (or hydrogen water) simply by placing them in water, and are their effects the same?

A. Products with a medical device certification number can be considered to have an effect on improving gastrointestinal symptoms. However, currently, no such products have been recognized as medical devices.

Q. What is the difference between plastic bottled alkaline ionized water sold on the market?

A. Alkaline ionized water with recognized medical effects is produced by approved and certified household medical devices (alkaline ionized water machines). Therefore, plastic bottled alkaline ionized water (or similarly named products) sold on the market does not fall under the scope of effects recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. However, for caution, you may wish to verify with the bottled water manufacturer.

Q. Are there any products claiming to be alkaline ionized water machines but seemingly without medical device approval or certification?

A. For household alkaline ionized water machines, their safety and effectiveness need to be reviewed, and only those meeting relevant standards can obtain medical device approval and certification.

However, commercial alkaline ionized water machines used in settings such as canteens have significantly different structures and primary uses