What is molecular hydrogen and why is it beneficial?

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5/7/2022

What is Molecular Hydrogen (H2)?

Molecular Hydrogen (H2) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is the lightest element in the universe. It is also the most abundant element in the universe, making up about 75% of all matter. In the human body, molecular hydrogen is found in the cells, tissues, and organs.

Molecular Hydrogen (H2) is the primary component in electrolyzed reduced water or ionized alkaline water. This water can only be made with a high quality water ionizer. It was first reported as a free radical scavenger in 2007, and its benefits have been reported to help more than 170 human diseases (2019). All the diseases that Molecular Hydrogen helps occur as a result of an over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals. Molecular hydrogen acts as an efficient antioxidant to reduce oxidation in the body caused by free radical damage. H2 reduces oxidative stress by creating a balance in antioxidant defenses needed to neutralize reactive oxygen species. H2 also exhibits anti-inflammatory benefits for pain management in the body.

H2 preventative and therapeutic effects have been observed in various organs including the brain, heart, pancreas, lungs, liver, intestines, stomach, skin and eyes. H2 has been shown to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, bio-membranes and effectively reaches the cell nuclei. H2 also downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are a broad and loose category of small proteins important in cell signaling. Cytokines are peptides and cannot cross the lipid bilayer of cells to enter the cytoplasm. Cytokines have been shown to be involved in autocrine, paracrine and endocrine signaling as immunomodulating agents. H2 modulates signal transduction within and between many pathways and upregulates the expression of anti-apoptotic factors. Anti-apoptotic is the prevention of apoptosis, and apoptosis is a type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death.

Oxygen becomes a free radical (Active Oxygen or OH-) when it loses its electron balance. This happens because of oxidation in the body. H2 scavenges for and neutralizes hydroxyl ions (OH-) and peroxynitrite ions (ONOO-). These specific ions are very strong oxidants that cause DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, and protein inactivation when they react with nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. By scavenging and neutralizing these ions H2 helps to prevent DNA damage. At the same time H2 does not attack good radicals in the body, and it will never act as a poison to the body. H2 simply neutralizes these radicals by turning them into harmless water for the body to use without any byproducts or harmful waste produced.

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How Does Molecular Hydrogen (H2) Work as an Anti - Inflammatory?

When the body is inflamed, it is a response to injury or infection. The inflammation is a way for the body to protect itself and heal. However, sometimes the inflammation can become chronic and lead to diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. Molecular hydrogen has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent against these diseases, and it has the potential to be a powerful tool in the fight against inflammation.

Numerous publications exist on the biological and medical benefits of molecular hydrogen. It was found that H2 reduces oxidative stress not only by direct reactions with strong oxidants, but also indirectly by regulating various gene expressions. Moreover, by regulating the gene expressions, H2 functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic, and stimulates energy metabolism.

In one study, molecular hydrogen was shown to reduce inflammation in a mouse model of colitis. The mechanism by which molecular hydrogen acts as an anti-inflammatory is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the ability of molecular hydrogen to selectively reduce the production of reactive oxygen species that can damage cells and lead to inflammation.

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Best Way to Consume Molecular Hydrogen (H2)

Two of the most common ways to consume molecular hydrogen is by inhalation or oral consumption. water. Drinking hydrogen water is convenient, easily administered, safe, efficient, low cost and safe. The benefits of hydrogen water or ionized alkaline water are long-lasting and will neutralize free-radicals for days after consuming it. It is important to remember hydrogen in water will dissipate when exposed to oxygen and its best to consume it within 48 hours after its made. Inhaling hydrogen gas produces rapid effects but this delivery method is not practical for daily preventive therapy. Due to safety concerns, H2 concentrations and dosages must be strictly controlled when taken by inhalation. The benefits of hydrogen gas only last a few hours after inhalation. For these reasons the best way to consume molecular hydrogen is ionized alkaline water produced by a water ionizer.

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Differences Between Tap Water and Water Infused With Molecular Hydrogen (H2)

Tap water is not the same as hydrogen water. Tap water is usually city treated or well water which may contain additional contaminants such as dust, sediments, lead, chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pharmaceuticals and microplastics. Tap water is treated with disinfectants and chemicals to make it as safe as possible for human consumption when it reaches your home. Health issues may occur when you drink tap water long term. Hydrogen water is water that has been infused with hydrogen gas and may be filtered if it has been produced by a high quality water ionizer.

There are a few key differences between hydrogen water and tap water. Hydrogen water is said to be more effective at hydrating the body than tap water. This is because the hydrogen gas in the water helps to increase the absorption of water into the cells. In addition, hydrogen water is also said to be more alkalizing than tap water. This is because the hydrogen gas helps to neutralize the acidity in the body. Finally, hydrogen water is also said to have more antioxidant power than tap water. This is because the hydrogen gas helps to scavenge free radicals in the body. Overall, hydrogen water is a healthier option than tap water. It is more effective at hydrating the body, more alkalizing, and has more antioxidant power.

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What Diseases Does Molecular Hydrogen (H2) Help?

• Alexander disease

• Allergies

• Alzheimer's disease and other dementias

• Angina

• Asthma

• Atherosclerosis

• Athlete's foot

• Atopic dermatitis

• Autoimune disorders

• Bed sores

• Bone Loss

• Cancer (various types)

• Cardio renal symptoms

• Cataracts

• Cerebral hemorrhage

• Chemo's negative side effects

• Chrones disease

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Cirrhosis

• Collagen disease

• Colon diseases

• Cystic fibrosis

• Dehydration

• Diabetes mellitus

• Diabetic necrosis

• Frontotemporal lobar degeneration

• Glaucoma

• Gout

• Heart attacks

• Heart disease or coronary artery disease,

• HGC disorders

• High blood pressure

• Huntington's disease

• Hypersensitive disorders

• Hypertension

• Inflammatory disorders

• Ischemic brain injuries

• Kawasaki's disease

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Lupus

• Malaise

• Metabolic syndrome

• Muscle fatigue of athletes

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Scientific Research on the Benefits of Molecular Hydrogen

Hundreds of studies show the benefits of consuming alkaline ionized water in helping the liver, gut, brain, heart, kidneys, eyes, cells, lungs, dental health, skin, aging and memory loss. Read and listen to the scientific research below to learn more about all the amazing benefits of molecular hydrogen!

• Molecular hydrogen: a preventive and therapeutic medical gas for various diseases

• Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals

• Anti-inflammatory properties of molecular hydrogen: investigation on parasite-induced liver inflammation

• Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine

• Molecular hydrogen is protective against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced nigrostriatal degeneration in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

• Hydrogen as a new class of radioprotective agent

• Effects of hydrogen-rich water on aging periodontal tissues in rats

• Effects of hydrogen-rich water on depressive-like behavior in mice

• Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes

• Hydrogen improves neurological function through attenuation of blood–brain barrier disruption in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats

• The evolution of molecular hydrogen: a noteworthy potential therapy with clinical significance

• Molecular Hydrogen in Drinking Water Protects against Neurodegenerative Changes Induced by Traumatic Brain Injury

• A New Approach for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders. Molecular Hydrogen Significantly Reduces the Effects of Oxidative Stress

• Hydrogen–water enhances 5-fluorouracil-induced inhibition of colon cancer

• Hydrogen gas restores exhausted CD8+ T cells in patients with advanced colorectal cancer to improve prognosis

• Protective effect of hydrogen-rich water on liver function of colorectal cancer patients treated with mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy

• Hydrogen gas inhibits lung cancer progression through targeting SMC3

• Molecular hydrogen alleviates nephrotoxicity induced by an anti-cancer drug cisplatin without compromising anti-tumor activity in mice

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Where Can I Purchase A Water Ionizer?

You can actually purchase a water ionizer directly from us. We have international shipping options available for those who do not live in the United States. If you need a flexible payment plan please contact us first, and we will be happy to walk you through what options are available depending on the water ionizer you like.

How to Clean Mineral Scale Buildup off Your John Ellis Water Machine

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10/21/2022

Clean Mineral Buildup off Your John Ellis Water Machine

Following these instructions below to learn how remove calcium and magnesium mineral scale buildup from your John Ellis Living Water Machine. These instructions cover how to clean the mineral scale from the inner coil and all parts of the machine that are hard to clean. Make sure to watch both videos below for more information on the cleaning process.

Remove the heating element from your John Ellis water machine. You can identify the heating element because it’s the part of the machine that gets very hot and it has to be plugged directly into the wall. To remove the heating element, you need to unscrew the black nut that holds the heating element to the machine with an outer ring. If the heating element does not separate from the machine easily you can use a butter knife or flat head screwdriver to help pry it apart from the John Ellis water machine. If there is a lot of scale buildup, you will need to use extra force to pry the heating element apart from the John Ellis water machine. Remove the UV lights, faucet adapter, and remove all connected hoses from the John Ellis water machine.

Get a large storage container that you can fit the entire John Ellis Water machine in. Put one gallon of distilled vinegar in the storage container and 5-7 gallons of pure distilled water. You need to use enough distilled water to fully submerge the entire John Ellis water machine in the distilled water and distilled vinegar solution. Let the machine sit right side up for 6-12 hours in the solution so it has time to dissolve the mineral scale buildup in all parts of the machine — inner coil, heating element area, and inside the pot. After the first 12 hours remove the machine from the solution and clean all parts of it with a cloth or scrub it down to get additional mineral scale buildup off the machine. I have even used hard grain sandpaper to sand off the mineral scale buildup too after soaking in the solution. After the first 6-12 hours flip the machine over, and let it sit in the solution up-side-down for another 6-12 hours so you can dissolve mineral scale buildup where the UV lights plug in. See videos below for more details.

How to use a water softener with a water ionizer?

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7/5/2022

If you have a whole house water softener and you want to be able to use a water ionizer with your water softener you have a couple of different options to make this setup work. Read below to learn more about hard water, city water, well water, softened water, and using an ionizer with a whole house water softener.

What is hard water?

When rainwater falls it is soft water and completely void of minerals. When it is absorbed and flows into the ground the rainwater absorbs minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water that has a lot of minerals in it is considered hard water. Hard water is not harmful to your health, but it is not the best for your home. When hard ground water combined with heat flows through your pipes mineral scale buildup is left behind that can damage your appliances, pipes, and fixtures. The white buildup in the images below is mineral scale buildup, and it’s very hard to remove it without the use of acidic chemicals.

How is well water different from city water?

Some people who live in rural areas away from major cities may have a private well rather than water supplied and treated by a city municipality. Well water does not taste the same as city water, and it may even look and smell different and cause stains. City water is filtered and treated with disinfectants such as chlorine and chloramine. Fluoride and additional minerals (e.g. potassium and calcium) are also added. Well water is not treated with disinfectants, and it comes straight out of the ground. When you own a home with a private well, the safety and quality of the well water is the homeowner’s responsibility.

Well water is typically much harder water (e.g. more minerals) than city water since it comes straight from a well drilled into an underground aquifer. It may contain high amounts of iron which changes the taste of the water and causes hard to remove stains. Well water may contain naturally occurring Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) contaminants such as uranium, radon, and arsenic, which are dissolved in groundwater as it moves through soil and rock into underground aquifers. Irrigation water can carry nitrates down through the soil into groundwater, and nitrates pose a health risk to pregnant mothers and young children. Septic tanks located too close to a private well are another source of possible contamination. These are some of the reasons why testing well water yearly for contamination is important and why proper pre-filtration matters so much.

Typically to treat well water most rural homeowners will often use a water softener + reverse osmosis to remove hard water minerals - calcium, magnesium and iron, and remove VOC contaminants to make the water safe for drinking.

What does a water softener do?

A water softener removes calcium and and magnesium through a process called ion exchange. Calcium and magnesium ions are substituted with sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium stick to the water softener resin beads and are back flushed from the system with each water softener regeneration cycle which cleans the resin beads. Softened water prevents scale or mineral buildup in your pipes, water lines in kitchen appliances and washer, bathtubs, showers and sinks, fixtures and extends the life of your water heater. Other benefits are cleaner hair and softer skin, brighter and softer clothes, cleaner dishes and less time cleaning. Cold soft water also penetrates and dissolves better with soap which means more suds and a deeper lather for your body, clothes, and dishes. Softened water also helps prevent the loss of natural oils in your skin and hair.

As mentioned above water softeners remove mineral ions, but they do not remove contaminants such as bacteria or heavy metals like lead, mercury, or even iron. An excellent prefiltration system is also needed to reduce sodium and remove contaminants so you can drink the water.

Can I drink softened water?

Drinking softened water is not advised because of the high sodium (e.g. salt) content. Important minerals have been removed and substituted for sodium, and you already get more than enough daily salt intake from the food you eat. Americans consume on average about 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. However, the dietary guidelines for Americans recommends adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day—that's equal to about 1 teaspoon of table salt!

Other considerations for how much salt is in your softened water completely depends on the hardness of your city or well water. The harder your water, the more sodium that is substituted for the minerals during the water softener ion exchange process.

How do I reduce the Sodium from a water softener?

There are different ways to get sodium out of your water. Some of the most popular ways are by using reverse osmosis system, by substituting potassium chloride for sodium chloride in your water softener, or by using simple distillation. Read more below to learn about each of these processes.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a mechanical process that drives a solvent across a semi-permeable membrane transferring it from a higher concentration of solute, to a lower concentration. This process will filter out unwanted molecules and large particles such as contaminants and sediments like chlorine, salt, and dirt from drinking water. You can use an RO system with remineralization to reduce the sodium (e.g. salt) of the softened water, and the remineralization step adds essential ionic minerals back in the RO water so this water can be used for pure drinking water or to make alkaline ionized water.

Potassium Chloride for water softeners is a low-sodium alternative to traditional water softener salts. They are made with with 99.1% pure potassium chloride, and these crystals contain low insoluble content to keep your water softener running smoothly. Potassium Chloride works in water softeners the same way that traditional water softener salt (e.g. sodium chloride) does by replacing hard water minerals through mineral ion exchange. The primary difference is that hard water minerals are replaced with potassium instead of sodium which is an essential ionic mineral in pure drinking water. This potassium chloride substitute will also help to make perfect alkaline ionizer water.

Simple Distillation is a process that involves the conversion of a liquid into vapor that is subsequently condensed back to liquid form. It is exemplified at its simplest when steam from a kettle becomes deposited as drops of distilled water is a on a cold surface. For example, if you distill sea water you can make purified drinking water because distillation will remove the majority of the salt (e.g. sodium) from the sea water. Distillation is also used to remove contaminants in water. When you heat the source water in the beaker the lower density steam rises and higher density particulates and contaminants ultra-concentrate at the bottom of the beaker and do not rise with the steam.

What system should I get with my water ionizer?

SOLUTION 1: If you have a whole house water softener and your GOAL is to have as many minerals in your source water with no additional plumbing and cost is not a problem use potassium chloride as a substitute for the sodium chloride in your water softener. Potassium Chloride is the easier solution but it’s going to be more expensive in the long run because each 40-pound bag is going to cost $30 - $40 each. You can put about 120 - 160 pounds of potassium chloride pellets in the water softener, and if you need 4 bags per month your monthly cost will be $160. Using potassium chloride will ensure your water has no addition salt added except for the salt that is naturally occurring in your source water. You do NOT need a reverse osmosis system, and your water ionizer will produce the best alkaline ionized water with the correct potential hydrogen (pH) levels infused with even more molecular hydrogen due to high mineral content (e.g. potassium, magnesium and calcium).

If you are still concerned about contaminants in your source water, and you do not have a pre-filter at or on top of your sink check out the world-class National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified Mutipure Aquaperform that can remove hundreds of contaminants from your source water including pharmaceuticals and microplastics.

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SOLUTION 2: If you have a whole house water softener and your GOAL is to reduce the sodium and 1000+ contaminants in your water and use remineralization to add important minerals back in your water cost effectively then use a high-capacity reverse osmosis system with remineralization under your kitchen sink. You will want to use a high-capacity flow tankless RO system so the water pressure is high enough to flow water through your water ionizer quickly. You simply attach a remineralization cartridge / filter to the RO water line coming out from the RO system, and then you attach a water line to the output water line on the remineralization cartridge / filter and connect it to your clean water faucet. Once you have this done its easy to attach your water ionizer water in line to the clean water faucet head (see below).

Using this RO setup will add back in just the right amount of minerals for your water ionizer to work but the potential hydrogen (pH) levels will tend to be higher for alkaline water and lower for acidic water. For example, if you are making alkaline ionized water with the 9.5 pH setting on your water ionizer it will most likely be 10.3 - 10.75 pH. You can still drink this water, and if the higher pH causes any indigestion, it will be better to mix your alkaline ionized water with purified drinking water to reduce the pH to a level your body is used to. If you are making beauty water with the 6.0 pH setting on your water ionizer it will most likely be 3.0 - 3.8 pH. You can still use water for cleansing your face and skin hydration. In our own testing using a reverse osmosis system with remineralization has no effect on the amount of infused molecular hydrogen produced by your water ionizer when compared to source water with original minerals.

If you want to use an RO system setup you do NOT need to use potassium chloride in your water softener because the RO system will remove the potassium that was put into the water by the water softener.

What happens if I use softened water in my water ionizer?

If you use a water ionizer with softened water made with sodium chloride pellets the alkaline ionized water produced from the water ionizer will be ultra-concentrated with salt. You may not be able to taste it, but fair warning you don’t need additional salt in your alkaline ionized water because of the all the salt you get in your daily food intake. If you have high blood pressure you will be more sensitive to salt intake too. Furthermore, sodium chloride when ran through the ionization process can produce chlorine gases that are harmful to breathe and corrosive, and the added levels of sodium can also harm your water ionizer resulting in costly repairs.

How do I fix the John Ellis Living Water Machine heater module?

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7/5/2022

How do I know if I need a brand new heater module?

Before paying for a new heater module you need to open it up to make sure all the wires are connected correctly. We have had heater modules where only one half of the module was getting hot, and when we opened it up we found a wire inside which was not connected all the way. After we connected it the heater module started working flawlessly. Don’t be afraid to get into the module, or find someone who is handy who can check it for you if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.

If your heater module does not have any faulty wires after you opened it up and it continues to leak water, or it does not get hot anymore you will need to get a brand-new replacement. You will need to send a $300plus $20 shipping to the John Ellis Water Company to get a replacement heater module. You will have to be very patient (~ 1 - 2 months) to get a new heater module, and you will know your heater module has shipped after your check has been cashed. If your check has not been cashed yet that means the factory has not started building your new heater module. This is the single reason why we always encourage people to get proper prefiltration to protect your John Ellis Water Machine investment from the start so it will last for many years!

How do I fix a leaking heater module that still gets hot?

If your heater module still gets hot but is simply leaking due to really bad corrosion and pitting on the heaters in the heat module there is a good chance you can prevent the leaking following the instructions below.

Step 1: Purchase J-B Weld from Amazon or your local hardware store. JB Weld is a marine-grade epoxy that can be sanded once it has been cured. It is a good option for repairing boat hulls, decks, and other surfaces that are exposed to water.

Step 2: Combine the steel in the black tube with some of the hardener from the red tube and mix it together. You have 15 minutes to apply the mixed two-part epoxy. Use the stick to apply it to the areas on the heater module that are leaking, wipe off excess with the stick, and smooth as best as possible. Allow 4-6 hours for set time, and 15-24 hours for cure time. Do not plug in heater module or use it on the John Ellis Water Machine until cure time has passed and you have checked the heater module to make sure J-B Weld is dry and hardened.

Step 3: If you are going to sand the surface where you have applied the JB-Weld to the heater module be sure to use very fine grit sandpaper (around 400-600 grit) so that you don’t damage the weld. Here are the final images of what J-B Weld looks like after applying to the John Ellis Water Machine heater module successfully. Just to give you a comparison no sanding was done in the images below.

Step 4: Reattach the heater module to the John Ellis Living Water Machine, and let it run the heater module with the JB-Weld for 2 hours. Do not drink any of the water in the first two hours water is being made with the fixed heater module. After two hours check for any leaks around the heater module, and if you don’t have leaks, you will be good for making more John Ellis Water. If you want this do-it-yourself (DIY) fix to last for years make sure you check in with us on pre-filters to remove corrosive chemicals out of your source water.

John Ellis Living Water Machine limited warranty

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7/5/2022

John Ellis Living Water Machine Limited Warranty (180 Days)

As a new John Ellis Living Water Machine owner it is very important to understand what contaminants and chemicals are in your source water. This is an excellent way to determine if you have very hard water full of minerals, or other contaminants higher than the recommended daily limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You will also learn if you have chemicals present in your source water that can cause damage to your John Ellis Living Water Machine.

We have had many customers call us after the 180-day warranty period because their heater module broke due to leaking from corrosion or pitting or really bad mineral scale buildup in the heater module. It is important to follow the operational instructions closely to prevent damage to your machine and clean the machine of mineral scale on a regular basis if you are running very hard water through the machine daily.

This is the reason why prefiltration is so important to protect your machine investment. When you purchase a John Ellis Living Water Machine through us, we will give you all the research and information about corrosive chemicals in your source water and what pre-filter options are available, so your machine investment is protected from the start (see warranty details below):

Limited Warranty: Crystal Clear Distillers are warrantied for 180 days from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty does not cover conditions beyond our control, such as water conditions, improper usage or handling, excessive cleaning, negligence or failure to follow Operating Instructions. There will be no other warranties, expressed or implied, and no liability of any kind arising from the use of the product, whether defective or not. All returns are subject to a $250 return charge.

Please Note: The three most common causes of heater module failure are as follows: shutting off the water source to the machine during operation, failure to provide enough cooling water to the unit and buildup of mineral scale on heaters. Please take care to prevent any such damage to the unit.

What contaminants and chemicals are in my source water?

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7/5/2022

What chemicals and contaminants are in my source water?

Check the EWG TAP WATER DATABASE to check what contaminants are currently in your water for FREE using your zip code, so you understand what’s in your source water. This is an excellent way to determine if you have very hard water full of minerals, or other contaminants higher than the recommended daily limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

You will also learn about other source water contaminants which could cause damage to your John Ellis Living Water (LWM-5) Machine. If you decide to purchase a Living Water Machine through us, we will share all the knowledge we have about source water chemicals that can damage your machine and what kind of pre-filter you can use to get rid of those machine damaging chemicals, so you protect your investment for years to come!

What are antioxidants, and why are they good for you?

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4/18/2022

The thing you may not have known about antioxidants is you can get them in your water when you drink alkaline ionized water infused with molecular hydrogen.  You can get more antioxidants through drinking alkaline ionized water than you can through eating antioxidant rich foods daily! 

Alkaline ionized water has more antioxidants in a single glass than broccoli, blueberries, banana, red cabbage, green tea, and spinach consumed.  In fact, it would take 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of blueberries to equate to the antioxidants in a single glass of alkaline ionized water.  Read more below to learn about free radicals, oxidative stress, antioxidants, and what antioxidant-rich food you can pair with your daily alkaline ionized water to supercharge your daily antioxidant intake.

What are free radicals? Free radicals are waste substances produced by cells as the body processes food and reacts to the environment. A free radical is an unbalanced molecule with an unpaired electron. It needs another electron to be stable and steals it from your cells. They are also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS).  Factors that increase the production of free radicals in the body can be internal, such as inflammation, or external, for example, pollution, UV exposure, cigarette smoke, industrial solvents, pesticides, drugs, chemotherapy, and excessive exercise. If the body cannot process and remove free radicals efficiently the result is oxidative stress.

What is oxidative stress? Oxidative Stress is defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses, and it can harm cells and bodily functions.

For example, oxidation is what's happening to the apple in this picture below or to iron when it rusts. Oxidation happens inside our bodies all the time and contributes to diseases. Oxidation is a chemical reaction where Active Oxygen (O2+) and other free radicals circulate the body, stealing electrons and damaging the cells.

Oxidative stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, emphysema, Parkinson’s disease, and other inflammatory or ischemic conditions. Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress.

What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals.  Antioxidants also act as radical scavenger, hydrogen donor, electron donor, peroxide decomposer, singlet oxygen quencher, enzyme inhibitor, synergist, and metal-chelating agents.  The best sources of antioxidants are plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables and alkaline ionized water.  Foods that are particularly high in antioxidants are often referred to as a superfoods. 

What foods are high in antioxidants? CHOCOLATE – dark chocolate; DAIRY – eggs, cheese, whole milk; FRUITS – apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, corn, cranberries, mangoes, oranges, plums, pomegranates, red grapes, goji berries, papaya, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon; GRAINS – rice, wheat; LEGUMES - black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans; MEATS – liver, herring, salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, mackerel; NUTS – almonds, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, peanut butter, walnuts; OILS – sunflower and vegetable oil; TEAS – green and black tea; VEGETABLES – artichokes, beats, bell peppers, carrots, corn, eggplants, kale peas, potatoes, red cabbage, spinach, tomatoes.

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