When to Drink Ionized Water and When to Not

Drinking ionized water changed my life or saved it. When I started drinking ionized water back in the 90s, I was on a fast track to who knows where health-wise. This is when I learned that water can be very different and even a healing elixir if you understand which water to drink. See my testimonial.

Over the years, I've learned all about ionized water—how to drink it and how much to drink. I've also encountered many misconceptions that I make it my business to clear up to help provide more accurate knowledge about this important subject.

People often ask if they can drink ionized water with their medication or other pills. There also is the common question about drinking ionized water with meals. Here are those and many more answers to your questions.

Medication or Other Pills

The answer to this question depends on the type of medication. For instance, if it's vitamins, then drinking ionized water with those is never an issue.

Medication is another story because the pharmacist doesn't figure in the fast speed of absorption that comes with ionized water. So, here are some rules of thumb for drinking ionized water with medication:

• If you just drank ionized water, wait 20 minutes to give it a chance to leave your stomach. Water leaves the stomach most likely quicker than that, but this is just to be cautious.
• Drink plain filtered water or juice (something like that) with your medication.
• Then, wait 20 minutes after taking your medication to resume drinking ionized water.

Drinking Ionized Water With Meals

Some people will erroneously tell you you can't drink ionized water with meals because of the alkalinity. But this is not the case. Here are the rules of thumb for ionized water and meals.

• All water, even plain tap or filtered water, is more alkaline than your stomach. If you're eating food (e.g., meat) that needs acidity in the stomach, I suggest you squeeze a small wedge of lemon into your water. Do this up to 5 minutes before your meal. It will prepare your water to be more supportive of good digestion.
• Once the food leaves your stomach, it takes about 20 minutes, so don't worry about drinking ionized water after that.
• Vegetarians needn't worry about this, as fruits, vegetables, and grains are compatible with alkalinity in the digestive system.

How Much Ionized Water to Drink and When to Drink More

I usually drink ionized water in my 17-oz. stainless vacuum-sealed bottles. These bottles preserve the ionization (pH and antioxidants in the water) better than anything else. I drink about 3-5 of these daily, depending on my activity level.

But that's not all the ionized water I consume daily. I also make my morning coffee with ionized water, which transforms the coffee into a gourmet drink. And I cook with it, too.

Certain things tell me I need more ionized water. For instance, if my mouth feels dry or if I have an environmental allergy, stuffy nose, or dryness in the respiratory areas, I should drink more.

It's important to remember that everyone's body is unique. I encourage you to observe your own body and figure out what the best amount of ionized water is for you. This personalized approach will empower you to take control of your health and well-being.

Ionized Water and Children

Contrary to some misconceptions, children can safely drink ionized water. While it's true that babies are born with alkaline bodies, once they start eating regular food, it's perfectly fine to introduce ionized water to them. This reassurance should give parents the confidence and peace of mind they need when considering ionized water for their children.

Here are my suggestions about giving ionized water to children.

• Use the filtered water setting on your machine to make formula and food for your baby. It's far better than any kind of bottled water. Even if bottled water says it's for babies, it has all the problems of bottled water, such as nano-plastics and forever chemicals. When you choose the filtered water option on your machine, your source water will go through your filters without changing the pH of the water.
• Don't make your toddler fearful of drinking ionized water. I suggest you don't even mention it to them. Instilling fear will backfire later on. If your child wants a sip of what you're drinking, go ahead. There is no harm in doing this.
• When your child is weaned from the bottle, around age two, they can be introduced to 'level-one alkaline water,' a mild form of ionized water. This small step can make a big difference in preventing runny noses or environmental allergies.
• As your child ages around age 5, consider introducing 'Level 2 or 3 ionized water,' more potent forms of ionized water. Just like when they were toddlers, a gradual introduction is key. This should remind parents to be patient and understanding regarding their children's diet. With this support and information, parents can confidently navigate their children's transition to higher levels of ionized water.