Karl Heinz Asenbaum answers an email with various general statements about alkaline, hydrogen-rich water as follows
- The similarity between electrolytic activated water and Lourdes, Tlacote, Nordenau is absolute nonsense. None of these sources have an increased pH value, a low redox potential or a special hydrogen content. At least when you bottle them. I've been to Nordenau myself. There is nothing measurable to be found there.
- During electrolysis, the water is not converted, but reduced. This has nothing to do with biology. It has to do with organic chemistry, which always has to do with carbon.
- The Reduced Water is not antioxidant and electron-rich, but rather selectively antioxidant and willing to donate electrons under certain circumstances.
- Reduced water is not necessarily alkaline. it can also be acidic.
- When it comes to swirling, the only thing that matters is what is being swirled with. You can't make hollandaise sauce without butter. Without hydrogen there is no reduced water. If you swirl with atmospheric oxygen, you destroy the hydrogen and only water is created.
- Bioavailable minerals are as stupid as fat-free butter. a pure advertising slogan for idiots. Minerals in water are always bioavailable because they are ionized. Any living being, whether plant, animal or human, can absorb them very easily. No special water is required. It's just better if there are more mineral ions in the water that we particularly need, for example calcium and magnesium. These are increased in alkaline active water.
- Alkaline activated water is not rich in (dissolved) oxygen, but rather extremely poor. But it has maximum dissolved hydrogen content. Because of the many hydroxide ions, there is more molecular oxygen than in normal water, but this is actually of no use to anyone, as hydroxide ions are extremely inert and are reluctant to release their oxygen.
- The activated water does not taste better because of its "fine clusters", but because of its increased proportion of dissolved hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is the end product that all cellular metabolism strives towards. When you get it for free on your tongue, there is a taste sensation that leads to the feeling: drink more of it. Water clusters change about 1 million times faster than taste sensations. In this context, they are completely meaningless and just an advertising claim by outdated manufacturers.
Among the 11 reasons given for alkaline water
- Hydrogenation:
Activated water does not have smaller clusters when it reaches the body or cells. Coffee and tea solubility outside the body also increases not through smaller water clusters, but through the action of hydrogen. Tea and coffee dissolve very well in boiling, very large-clustered water! - Lose weight:
Depends entirely on low-calorie diet. It doesn't matter whether I drink activated water or normal water - both calorie-free. It is possible, but not proven, that people lose weight through minimal hydrogen intake or become less hungry as a result. - Anti-Aging:
Activated water has no excess electrons. Its strongly negative redox potential is based on hydrogen gas, which has weak electron binding forces and therefore gives up its electrons as a "victim" to the strongest free radicals such as the hydroxyl radical with its particularly strong positive potential. Less strong free radicals, which we also need for our immune system, are not affected. Hydrogen therefore does not damage our immune system. It is true that "used up" antioxidants such as vitamin C can recharge themselves after they have been used up by an excess of hydrogen. - Detoxify
Thank you and hallelujah. These statements are simply stupid and have absolutely nothing to do with poisons and detoxification. - Cardiovascular blood pressure
These studies are not mentioned and are not known. Alkaline activated water increases blood pressure because it is absorbed more quickly. In addition, cholesterol values that are too high are not reduced. - Blood pH
Urine pH constantly fluctuates by far more than one pH. None of the studies are specified. Darkfield analysis of clumped erythrocytes can also be improved by drinking acidic water within 15 minutes. The effects on the blood plasma that occur after drinking alkaline active water are much more important. They can become visible between two days and two years. - Bone
The pH value in the body can hardly be influenced directly by alkaline active water. Hyperacidification is better combated medically by avoiding acid absorption than by compensating for it with alkalis, since neutralization in turn creates waste products, which are the main health problem. The fact that alkaline active water apparently helps with osteoporosis has not yet been sufficiently researched. It doesn't necessarily have to do with the increased content of calcium ions, but can also be related to hydrogen-induced gene switches. we know it works, but not why.
Hepatoprotection
This is basically true, but it should be explained in more detail, as in the well-known studies that I list on page 394 ff of my book “Electroactivated Water”. - indigestion
This is probably unintentionally true. The term activated water includes both antioxidant and oxidative active water. (these are the more current terms instead of alkaline and acidic activated water) If you have colitis and other inflammations, I would advise against antioxidant activated water, but it certainly helps with constipation if you are not stupid enough to swallow swelling agents at the same time. - brush up
This happens via hydrogen transfer. pH-neutral active water with lots of hydrogen is sufficient. Hydrogen content lowers the redox potential and this is what is important in assessing the quality of food in terms of freshness. The water for refreshing should not be too alkaline (> pH 11), otherwise fat-soluble viramines will be washed out. - Fitness
Basic misconception: Sore muscles have nothing to do with lactate. It is caused by mini muscle tears. Alkaline activated water can only accelerate the breakdown of lactate, not reduce muscle soreness. However, there are a number of studies about the usefulness of hydrogen in water during sports.
