Structured water has been generating considerable interest recently. People are discussing how its potential structured water benefits might make it a better option for us than regular tap water. But what is the real story behind these claims? Let’s examine what structured water is and explore how it could potentially affect your health and wellbeing.

Table Of Contents:

• What Is Structured Water?
• The Claimed Benefits of Structured Water
  • Better Hydration
  • Improved Nutrient Absorption
  • Detoxification
  • Increased Energy
  • Better Skin Health
• The Science Behind Structured Water
• How to Get Structured Water
  • Natural Sources
  • Structuring Devices
  • DIY Methods
• Is Structured Water Right for You?
  • Cost
  • Your Current Health
  • Scientific Evidence
• Other Ways to Improve Your Water
  • Filtration
  • Remineralization
  • Proper Storage
• Conclusion

What Is Structured Water?

Structured water, sometimes referred to as hexagonal water or EZ water, is water with a hypothesised specific molecular arrangement of its H2O components. Proponents suggest it closely resembles the water found in nature, particularly in pristine mountain springs or glacial melts. The core idea is that this form of water is better organised at a molecular level, where water molecules form more coherent water clusters.

Some claim this organisation allows it to be more easily absorbed by our cells within the human body, potentially improving hydration. Others assert it possesses special properties that regular water, including standard tap water, does not. The molecular structure is said to be different from the more random arrangement in bulk water, which is the common liquid state, distinguishing it from solid liquid and liquid vapor phases of water.

Dr. Gerald Pollack, a professor of bioengineering, has extensively researched what he calls the “fourth phase” of water, or exclusion zone (EZ) water. This water forms near hydrophilic surfaces (water-loving surfaces) and exhibits different properties from bulk water. According to Pollack, this EZ water, or water hydrophilic water, is more ordered and can hold a negative charge, playing a role in how water interacts with biological systems.

The Claimed Benefits of Structured Water

Enthusiasts of structured water believe it can offer a wide array of health benefits. Many reported effects are anecdotal, but they fuel the ongoing interest in drinking structured water. Here are some of the most frequently discussed structured water benefits:

Better Hydration

One of the primary claims associated with drinking structured water is superior hydration. The theory suggests that its unique molecular alignment and smaller water clusters allow it to penetrate cell membranes more readily. This could mean your body utilises the water more efficiently, leading to improved overall hydration potential.

Some individuals report feeling more effectively hydrated when they consume water structured this way. However, rigorous, large-scale scientific studies are needed to definitively confirm if it provides a hydration advantage over regular water for the human body.

Improved Nutrient Absorption

Another significant potential benefit is enhanced nutrient absorption. The premise is that structured water may help your body assimilate vitamins and natural minerals more effectively from food and supplements. This improved uptake could contribute to better overall nutrition and physiological function.

If this claim holds true, it could be particularly advantageous for individuals who experience difficulties with nutrient absorption. Nevertheless, as with other claims, more robust scientific investigation is required to substantiate this assertion about how water holds and delivers nutrients.

Detoxification

Some advocates believe structured water can aid the body in flushing out toxins more efficiently. They propose its specific structure makes it more effective at binding to and carrying away metabolic waste products and harmful environmental substances. This could potentially support and enhance your body’s natural detoxification pathways.

While maintaining adequate hydration is undeniably crucial for effective detoxification processes, there is currently no conclusive scientific proof that structured water performs this function significantly better than regular drinking water. The body’s existing systems are quite capable with sufficient fluid intake.

Increased Energy

Many people who choose to drink structured water report experiencing higher energy levels. This perceived boost in natural energy could be linked to the hypothesised improvements in hydration and nutrient absorption. When your body is well-hydrated and properly nourished, feeling more energetic is a common consequence, leading to greater energy throughout the day.

However, it remains challenging to determine whether this increased energy stems directly from the unique properties of the water itself or simply from the positive effects of being more conscious about hydration and potentially increasing overall water intake. More research is needed to differentiate these factors regarding increased energy.

Better Skin Health

Some users have observed improvements in their skin’s condition after switching to structured water. They report that their skin appears clearer, more supple, and feels better hydrated. These cosmetic improvements could be attributed to better overall hydration or the water’s purported detoxifying effects on the body.

While optimal hydration is undoubtedly beneficial for maintaining healthy skin, we currently lack specific scientific evidence to confirm that structured water offers superior skin health benefits compared to consuming an adequate amount of regular water. Proper hydration remains the cornerstone of skin health.

The Science Behind Structured Water

Despite the numerous claims, the scientific community remains largely unconvinced about many of the asserted structured water benefits, highlighting a gap in structured water science. Many researchers contend there isn’t sufficient, high-quality evidence to support these widespread claims. A common argument is that any induced “structure” in water is transient and unlikely to persist for long once the water is in a bulk state, away from the structuring influence, due to the constant thermal motion of water molecules.

Some studies, often small-scale or not subject to rigorous peer review, have indicated potential benefits. For instance, some research involving diabetic rats suggested effects on blood glucose levels when they consumed a form of structured water. However, these findings are preliminary and require much more extensive, well-controlled clinical trials to understand if structured water genuinely offers unique health advantages. The broader water science community calls for more reproducible experiments.

Dr. Gerald Pollack’s work on the “fourth phase of water,” or EZ water, is a significant part of the discussion. Pollack proposes that this exclusion zone water, which forms next to hydrophilic surfaces, has a gel-like consistency and is more ordered than bulk water. He suggests that energy from the infrared spectrum of sunlight can help build this EZ layer, creating charge separation between the negatively charged EZ water and the positively charged bulk water nearby, potentially acting like a battery. The phrase “âfourth phaseâ” is sometimes seen in discussions referencing this work. How this directly translates to the benefits of drinking structured water prepared by various devices is still a subject of ongoing research and debate. Many theories on how water structures exist, but the stability and biological significance of these structures in drinking water are not yet fully established.

How to Get Structured Water

If you are curious about trying structured water and exploring its potential for yourself, there are several ways to obtain or create it. Various methods for creating structured water are promoted, each with its own rationale. Here are some common approaches:

Natural Sources

Some proponents believe that water from pristine natural water sources, such as mountain springs, artesian wells, or glacial meltwater, is naturally structured. The idea is that movement over rocks, exposure to the earth’s magnetic field, and lack of pollutants contribute to this natural organisation. However, accessing these water sources regularly is impractical for most people and can be quite costly.

Structuring Devices

A variety of devices are available on the market that claim to structure water, essentially structures water through different mechanisms. These devices range from relatively simple vortexers that create a swirling motion (a process called vortexing or called vortexing) to more complex machines employing magnetic fields (creating magnetized water), infrared light, or special ceramics. The specific process called by manufacturers often involves claims of creating smaller water clusters or imparting a specific energy signature to the water.

It’s important to note that these devices can be quite expensive, and their effectiveness in creating lasting, beneficial structures in water is a subject of ongoing debate among scientists and consumers. Some companies may provide a structured water offer to try their systems. Before investing, consider the scientific backing for any specific water treatment device.

DIY Methods

Some individuals attempt to structure their water at home using various Do-It-Yourself methods. Common techniques include freezing and then slowly thawing water, with the theory that the ice crystal structures might influence the liquid water. Exposing water in a glass bottle to sunlight, particularly the infrared spectrum sunlight, is another method, drawing on theories about light energy influencing water’s molecular alignment.

Other DIY approaches involve stirring water to create a vortex, or placing crystals or specific stones in or around the water container, believing their energetic properties or crystal structures can influence the water. While these methods are generally inexpensive, there is little to no robust scientific proof that they produce genuinely structured water or deliver tangible health benefits. Creating structured water through these means is more an act of personal belief than established science.

Is Structured Water Right for You?

With considerable discussion surrounding structured water health benefits, you might be contemplating whether it’s worth trying. Evaluating if structured water is a suitable option involves several personal considerations. Here are a few points to reflect upon:

Cost

Structured water can be significantly more expensive than regular tap water or standard bottled water, especially if you invest in a dedicated structuring device or purchase pre-packaged structured water. Some water filters also claim structuring properties, adding to their cost. Consider whether the potential, largely unproven, benefits justify the additional financial outlay for your household budget.

Your Current Health

If you are generally healthy, maintain a balanced diet, and ensure proper hydration with regular quality water, you might not observe a noticeable difference from drinking structured water. However, if you have specific health concerns, such as digestive issues, low energy levels, or difficulties with hydration, you might be more inclined to explore its potential. Some anecdotal reports from individuals, including some diabetic patients, suggest perceived improvements, but these are not substitutes for medical advice or proven treatments.

Scientific Evidence

It’s crucial to remember that many of the claimed structured water health benefits and reported effects are not yet substantiated by strong, conclusive scientific evidence. The field of structured water science is still developing, and many claims about hexagonal molecular structure or enhanced hydration potential require more rigorous investigation. If you prioritise interventions with robust scientific backing and extensive clinical trials, you might prefer to await further research before adopting structured water as a key part of your water health strategy.

Understanding the difference between bulk water and the theoretical properties of EZ water or water in proximity to hydrophilic water interfaces is complex. While Dr. Pollack’s research into the fourth phase offers intriguing insights into water’s behaviour at a micro-level, translating these findings into macro-level health benefits from drinking structured water remains a leap that requires more evidence. Water control over its molecular structures is a delicate phenomenon.

Other Ways to Improve Your Water

If you are uncertain about structured water or find the claims lacking sufficient evidence, there are several other well-established methods to potentially improve the quality of your drinking water and support proper hydration. These approaches focus on purity, taste, and mineral content. Ensuring you have access to clean and palatable drinking water is fundamental.

Filtration

Using a good quality water filter is an excellent way to enhance your tap water. Various water filters are available, including activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, and ultraviolet purifiers, each targeting different contaminants. Filtration can remove impurities such as chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria, which can improve the taste and safety of your water, making it more appealing to drink and thereby supporting better hydration habits.

Remineralization

If you use water purification methods like distillation or reverse osmosis, which remove most dissolved solids, including beneficial minerals, consider remineralizing your water. Natural minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are important for health and also contribute to the taste of water. You can add trace mineral drops or use remineralizing filters to reintroduce these essential elements to your drinking water.

Proper Storage

The way you store your water can also affect its quality. It is generally recommended to store water in containers made of glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic to prevent potentially harmful chemicals from leaching into the water. Storing water in a cool, dark place can also help maintain its freshness and prevent the growth of microorganisms, especially if using a glass bottle that allows light penetration.

Oxygen atoms are, of course, a fundamental part of water molecules (H₂O). While some esoteric water treatments discuss oxygenation, standard purification and storage focus on purity and avoiding contamination. Maintaining the integrity of your water supply ensures you are drinking quality water that supports overall well-being.

Conclusion

The topic of structured water benefits is certainly captivating, but definitive conclusions on whether it is substantially better for your health than regular water are still pending further scientific exploration. While a number of individuals and proponents strongly advocate for its advantages, claiming greater energy and improved wellness, the scientific community largely awaits more robust, large-scale research to validate these assertions about structured water health. The core principle of maintaining good health through adequate fluid intake remains paramount, regardless of the type of water chosen.

Ultimately, the most important aspect of water consumption is ensuring you are well-hydrated. If the concept of structured water, with its claims of hexagonal molecular organization and enhanced hydration potential, encourages you to drink more water and pay closer attention to your hydration, then it might offer a personal benefit in that regard. However, do not feel you are at a disadvantage if you continue to rely on good quality regular water or filtered tap water. The best water for you is the water you consistently drink enough of to support your body’s needs for proper hydration and overall water health.