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The History of Water Ionizers
Water ionization is based on electrolysis, a process first identified in the early 1800’s. It involves the exchange of ions caused by electrical current, an activity that characterizes all matter including the properties of water.
In the 1940’s a fascination with the phenomenal properties of Hunza water and the extraordinary longevity of the Hunza* people was spurred by the findings of Romanian Nobel Prize winner and inventor of fluid dynamics, Dr. Henri Coanda.
This was the era of Shangri-la, a legendary Himalayan paradise portrayed in a popular book and film called Lost Horizon. Those of you who are old enough will remember them.
The development of ‘functional water’
Russian scientists evolved the use of electrolysis while attempting to replicate the properties of this special water. Their work drew the attention of Japanese scientists interested in ionization. By 1954 the first water ionizers were being used in Japanese agricultural universities for experiments on plants and animals. This was the beginning of what is now referred to as functional water technology.
The first commercial water ionizers were available in Japan in 1958. In 1960, a group of Japanese medical doctors and agricultural researchers formed a special medical and agricultural research institute to investigate and develop the use of this technology. As a result of their work, in 1966 water ionizers were approved as a medical device by the Health and Rehabilitation Ministry of the Japanese Government.
Chemical free cleaning with Electrolyzed Anode Water
Water ionizers (also known as Electrolyzed Anode Water and Electrolyzed Reduced Water machines) simultaneously produce 2 streams of water – one is oxidizing acid water and the other is reducing alkaline water.
It was the useful oxidizing effects of the acid water produced by these machines that gained early recognition. Experiments began using this water for plant preservation and antiseptic applications in hospitals.
This acidic, oxidizing water is for external use. The beneficial results of its powerful anti-bacterial action are easily and almost instantly measurable by scientific means.
In today’s world the potential uses, environmental benefits and health implications of this water are staggering. Tennant, a forward thinking US-based corporation, has just launched its chemical-free ecH2O industrial cleaning machine that uses this technology. See photo at left.
Equally important uses of Reduced Alkaline Water harder to verify
On the other hand, the reduced alkaline water produced by water ionization is most commonly used internally as drinking water. Documenting the profound health benefits associated with its use requires much longer periods of time and far more complex analysis.
Considerable data has been collected by Japanese medical doctors who have been successfully using reduced electrolyzed water for the treatment of human disease longer than any other group. Approximately 30 million Japanese have now used ionized water over a period of 40 years. Residential water ionizers have been a household appliance in Japan since 1985 and are now found in 15% of Japanese homes.
Western medical community slow to respond
So far, the ‘western’ medical community has shown no noticeable interest in these remarkable devices. As yet, there is little in the way of ‘western’ peer reviewed studies concerning the medical applications of electrolyzed reduced water.
It is interesting to note that, at last count, the World Health Organization ranks Japan #1 for longevity of its population versus Canada #12 and USA only #24 of 191 countries which include the very poorest nations on earth.
Meanwhile the use of this technology (which replaces the need for many toxic and water polluting chemicals and has proven beneficial in the treatment of many human and animal disease conditions) has spread from Japan to other Asian countries where water quality is recognized as a critical challenge for huge population groups.
This dilemma is fast becoming a global one, although some groups are glaringly slower to respond to it than others.
Widespread use of water ionization technology in Asia
Water ionizers were first introduced to Korea in the 1970′s where they are now a commonly used household appliance. They are also approved as medical devices by the government of South Korea.
Similarly, in Taiwan, research and development in this field has been ongoing for decades.
The combined output of the major Asian water ionizer manufacturers (Toyo, Panasonic, Akai, Royal Water/Jupiter Science and Ion Farms) is over 1 million units per annum.
Some background info about Chanson, Jupiter, Ionways and Enagic (aka Kangen) water ionizers
Chanson water ionizers are made in Taiwan. Chanson evolved out of the Bai-Yin Company which began its involvement in the water treatment industry in 1979. In 1985 this company started importing ionizers from Japan for the Taiwanese market while simultaneously building its own team of engineers. It serviced ionizers produced by other ionizer companies for 20 years. In 2000 Chanson launched its own ionizer brand into the international market. This company manufactures its own products, possesses multiple patents and international certifications. Water quality products are its exclusive focus.
Jupiter water ionizers are made in Korea by Emco Tech (aka Dong Yang/ Royal Science) and has been in business since 1982.
Ionways is the brand name for their new ‘referral’ marketing division launched in 2007.
Emco Tech is a recognized manufacturer of medical equipment holding over 30 patents and multiple international certifications. Emco Tech ionizers are assembled in Korea using water cells that are designed and produced in Japan. Tennant’s ecH2O industrial cleaning machine uses Emco Tech’s ionizer technology.
Enagic water ionizers are assembled in Japan by TOYO. The Toyo Pure Porte 2 (predecessor to the SD501) was originally introduced into the U.S. in 2000. Enagic USA was formed in 2004 when a man named Oshiro formed an exclusive contract with TOYO to supply the SD501 to North America.
‘Kangen’ is a Japanese word which means ‘return to the origin’ according Enagic’s US website. It may also mean reduction or deoxidation. ‘Kangen’ is not trademarkable in Japan just as word like ‘healthy’ could not be trademarked in an English-language country. For marketing purposes, Enagic has obtained the US trademark for ‘Kangen Water’ for exclusive use of this term in the US. It refers to ionized water produced in the same way as other ionizer brands.
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*Hunza is the name of a people living in a high altitude Himalayan valley in Pakistan. They have been reputed to remain vigourous past 100 and live to ages exceeding 130 years.
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