Water · Technology · Water systems
Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) is the alkaline water stream that forms when water is treated by electrolysis in a water ionizer. In everyday language it is usually called ionized water. Here Josefin explains the terms, the technology and the different systems – without promises.
The term
Electrolyzed Reduced Water, ERW for short, is the reduced water from an electrolysis cell – in everyday language, ionized water.
In a water ionizer, the water flows past electrodes, and a membrane separates two chambers. During electrolysis, the water is separated into an alkaline and an acidic water stream, with different pH and electrochemical properties. The alkaline, reduced stream is the ERW water itself: it has a higher pH, a lower redox potential and – depending on the process – dissolved molecular hydrogen.
ERW is also the term used in the research literature. In everyday language most people say ionized water, so we use both terms.
What happens to the water as it passes through the system?
The water passes through the machine’s filter system before the electrolysis process.
The water is led through an electrolysis cell, where electrodes and membranes separate the water streams.
A reduced water stream forms through the electrolysis process.
Three words that are often mixed up. This is how we use them:
ERW, water produced by electrolysis
Water that has been treated by electrolysis in a water ionizer. ERW is the alkaline, reduced part – with a lower redox potential and, depending on the process, dissolved molecular hydrogen. The other part is acidic and oxidized.
water with a higher pH
Water can have a higher pH as a result of various processes. Electrolysis is one of them. ERW, on the other hand, specifically describes water that has been treated by electrolysis.
water with dissolved molecular hydrogen
Water with dissolved molecular hydrogen (H₂), for example from electrolysis. What research is looking at is described further down the page.
Research
Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a gas that can be dissolved in water. Research is investigating how molecular hydrogen may affect biological processes.
Water systems and machines
The water systems Josefin works with come from the Japanese manufacturer Enagic: two water ionizers and a system for the shower and bath. On the products page you can see them and how they differ – which one suits you is something Josefin goes through in an introductory meeting.
This meeting is for anyone who wants to understand the potential of advanced water technology and the business opportunities behind it. We go through what ionized, structured and hydrogen-rich water is, how the technology works and what effects it may have on your wellbeing. You’ll also get an introduction to the business side, with a focus on high-ticket sales and a scalable model connected to the technology.
Who it’s for
ERW has been studied in both experimental and clinical settings. Human studies have looked at, among other things, biomarkers linked to oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity.
SourceChoi et al. (2020) (opens in a new tab)Antioxidants 9(7):564
Hydrogen-rich water and molecular hydrogen have also been studied across several biological areas. A 2024 systematic review brought together 25 studies and concluded that the results are interesting, while larger and more rigorous studies are needed.
SourceDhillon et al. (2024) (opens in a new tab)International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(2):973
Here we distinguish between what the technology actually does, what research is investigating and which health claims are authorised in the EU.
Research can investigate possible biological effects without that automatically meaning the same effect may be used as a health claim in marketing.
Electrolysis divides the water into an alkaline, reduced water stream – ERW – and an acidic, oxidized water stream. ERW has a higher pH, a lower redox potential and, depending on the process, dissolved molecular hydrogen.
There is research on ERW and molecular hydrogen that looks at oxidative stress, redox balance and various biological processes, among other things.
The research is still developing, and the effects should not be described as medically proven treatments.
In the EU, health claims about foods – water included – may only be used once they have been authorised. There are no authorised health claims for ERW, alkalized or hydrogen-rich water.
Sources
Here we gather information about water, electrolysis and Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW). We distinguish between what is established information about the technology and what research is still investigating.
The information on this page is not intended to replace medical advice or to make medical claims about water.
Shirahata et al. (1997) (opens in a new tab)Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 234(1):269–274
An example of how the term electrolyzed reduced water is used in the research literature.
Choi et al. (2020) (opens in a new tab)Antioxidants 9(7):564
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults that looked at biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity.
Ohsawa et al. (2007) (opens in a new tab)Nature Medicine 13(6):688–694
Basic research on how molecular hydrogen reacts with reactive oxygen species.
Ohta (2011) (opens in a new tab)Current Pharmaceutical Design 17(22):2241–2252
Review article on research into molecular hydrogen.
Nakao et al. (2010) (opens in a new tab)Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 46(2):140–149
Open-label pilot study with 20 participants that looked at oxidative stress and metabolic markers.
Sim et al. (2020) (opens in a new tab)Scientific Reports 10:12130
Randomised, double-blind, controlled study with 38 healthy adults that looked at inflammatory and antioxidant markers.
Dhillon et al. (2024) (opens in a new tab)International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(2):973
Systematic review that brought together 25 studies on hydrogen-rich water.
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 (opens in a new tab)Official Journal of the European Union
The EU rules on nutrition and health claims made on foods.
Regulation (EU) No 1170/2011 (opens in a new tab)Official Journal of the European Union
A decision in which the EU refused, among other things, a health claim about water and dehydration.
Questions and answers
It is the alkaline, reduced water stream produced by electrolysis in a water ionizer. In everyday language it is most often called ionized water.
Ionized water is water that has been treated by electrolysis in a water ionizer. During the process, the water is separated into an alkaline and an acidic water stream, with different pH and electrochemical properties.
It is therefore more accurate to describe ionized water by how it has been produced and the properties it has gained through electrolysis, rather than saying that the minerals have been “blocked”.
The alkaline part is often called Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) and is characterised, among other things, by a lower redox potential and – depending on the electrolysis process – the presence of dissolved molecular hydrogen.
No. Structured water is a term from the wellness world for water that is said to have a more ordered structure. The term is debated and has no established scientific definition. ERW instead describes water that has been treated with electrolysis.
It depends on your questions and circumstances, for example how the system is to be installed. Josefin goes through the different systems with you in an introductory meeting.
No. The meeting is about the water technology, the systems and the business side. Questions about your health belong with a healthcare professional.
A 30-minute introductory meeting about Electrolyzed Reduced Water – ask your questions about the technology and the systems directly to Josefin.
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