Free Radicals in Drinking Water
In this series we have addressed Oxidation, particularly how it leads to oxidative stress in our bodies and Alkalinity, specifically the importance of water pH to global water quality. Now let’s take a closer look at Free Radicals.
Simply put, “Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body. They’re linked to multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer (Healthline).
Where do free radicals come from, how do they cause harm, and what can be done to reduce or eliminate them?
WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
“Free radicals can come from our food, medications, the air we breathe, or the water we drink,” says Dr. Amy Myers.
“Free radicals are sometimes byproducts of chemical processes such as genetic modification or come from the packaging of the products we use…These microscopic menaces are everywhere and can cause extensive inflammation in our bodies, potentially even leading to debilitating chronic illness.”
Free radical production may be natural or environmental.
Healthline explains, “Everyone produces some free radicals naturally in their body through processes like exercise or inflammation. This is normal and part of the body’s intricate system of keeping itself healthy.
You may also be exposed to free radicals in the environment. Some sources include:
- ozone
- certain pesticides and cleaners
- cigarette smoke
- radiation
- pollution
A diet high in sugar, fat, and alcohol may also contribute to free radical production.”
HOW DO THEY CAUSE HARM?
“Free radicals are unstable molecules that contribute to oxidative stress, a major cause of disease and inflammation” (Healthline).
National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains the detrimental effects of free radicals on human health.
“If in excess, free radicals and oxidants give rise to a phenomenon known as oxidative stress; this is a harmful process that can negatively affect several cellular structures, such as membranes, lipids, proteins, lipoproteins, and DNA.
Oxidative stress emerges when an imbalance exists between free radical formation and the capability of cells to clear them.”
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
One potential remedy to clear or neutralize an excess of free radicals is to introduce an abundance of healthy water! Clean, fresh water is our mission at ANSA NA.
How can something as simple as water address free radicals?
“One of the characteristics of water containing dissolved molecular hydrogen (such as ionized water) is that it exhibits a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP),” states the Molecular Hydrogen Institute.
“Chemical reactions occurring in an aqueous solution are called redox reactions. The ORP measures the capacity of a solution to either release or accept electrons from chemical reactions. The ORP value, much like pH, is important for determining water quality and for water treatment processes.
Just as pH determines the water’s relative state in receiving or gaining protons, ORP indicates the water’s relative state to receive or gain electrons. A solution with a higher (more positive) ORP has the potential to oxidize a solution with a lower ORP.”
John Daly of South Fork Instruments explains, “Positive ORP values are oxidative…If you’re able to get negative ORP value drinking water, then it can donate electrons to neutralize free radicals. Water with positive ORP values cannot.
Free radicals are unstable ions in the body. They’re generated by the body and can cause problems with lipids, proteins, and DNA.
There needs to be a balance of free radicals in the body. Without it, the body can be overrun and become ill. In addition to the natural body’s defenses, you can decrease free radicals by drinking antioxidant water with negative ORP values.”
CHOICES
Many of us can take steps to reduce free radicals, and therefore reduce our chances of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other undesirable outcomes, by making healthy choices.
But what about the nutritional and environmental harms many people in the world cannot escape? For example, pesticides, chemicals, and air and water pollution are rampant. People worldwide are exposed to stressors that may trigger high free radical production, without access to antioxidants that can neutralize or clear the free radicals.
Partner with ANSA North America to be an important part of the solution, by creating access to an invaluable tool and a human right: Healthy, fresh, pure, antioxidant water.
Many of us can take steps to reduce free radicals, and therefore reduce our chances of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other undesirable outcomes, by making healthy choices.
But what about the nutritional and environmental harms many people in the world cannot escape? For example, pesticides, chemicals, and air and water pollution are rampant. People worldwide are exposed to stressors that may trigger high free radical production, without access to antioxidants that can neutralize or clear the free radicals.
Partner with ANSA North America to be an important part of the solution, by creating access to an invaluable tool and a human right: Healthy, fresh, pure, antioxidant water.
