What's the best way to store alkaline ionized water?

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear from our customers is "How can I store water from my ionizer? What kind of container should I use?" Whether you want to take your water to work or out to play, or whether you just want to chill your alkaline water in the fridge before you drink it, there are some things you should know.

My first response to that question is always the same; that water from an ionizer is best if consumed directly from the ionizer immediately after producing it.  Ionized water has a high electron charge, which gives it its antioxidant qualities. Time, heat and light can cause the water to lose its charge, and therefore lose its effectiveness. Yes, you'll still have clean, filtered and mineralized water... but you also want to be able to retain the low negative ORP that is the primary reason for owning an ionizer in the first place. I always use the analogy of hot food.  When is the best time to eat a hot meal? Immediately after it comes out of the oven, of course.  Well, the same goes for ionized water. When something is hot, it will begin to lose its heat as it "equalizes" itself with the surrounding atmosphere.  The same can be said about ionized water. When alkaline water comes out of an ionizer it contains a negative ORP (an abundance of free, unbound electrons).  When stored in a container the water will begin the process of losing its antioxidant quality as it "normalizes" with its surroundings.  How long that process takes to complete is based on the material and construction of the container that the water is in.

The antioxidant power in alkaline water can decline in as little as 24 hours without proper storage, and pH levels would fall in about three days. Stored properly, alkaline water can maintain high potency for about a week.

How To Store Your Ionized Water

Glass
Glass is always the preferred method of storing ionized water.

• If using a glass container, try to use a UV protected glass, which is usually a dark color.
• Fill storage container up to the top, thus limiting the water’s exposure to air.
• Store the container in a cool, dimly lit location. Avoid exposing the water to heat and sunlight.
• Drink stored water within 72 hours for optimal quality and freshness.

Stainless Steel
Regular stainless steel bottles are great for keep water clean, as there is no "leaching" of dangerous chemicals from the container. But, the water will quickly lose its antioxidant properties as the metal of the container is a conductor of electricity.  Therefore, if you are going to use a stainless steel container, be sure that it is a double-walled vacuum sealed bottle, as those types of bottles will slow down the ORP equalization rate.  Using these types of a bottles not only help to maintain the antioxidant properties of the water, but are an excellent way to keep the water nice and cold during hot weather.

Plastic
Plastic should be used as a last resort.  The only plastic bottles you should ever use should be made from certified BPA-free plastic.  Even when using this type of bottle, you are not guaranteed that your bottle will not leach other types of chemicals into your drinking water.  Therefore, I would stay away from plastic bottles, if at all possible.

Keep Your Water Refrigerated

Refrigeration or freezing helps maintain the potency of alkaline water. The water should be put in a sealed container, and chilled immediately after it is made.  Also, if you enjoy putting ice in your water I would suggest getting yourself some stainless steel ice trays, and then make ice using your ionizer water.  You don't want to use ice that is made from your refrigerator's ice-maker, as it is likely full of toxins that won't be removed by the refrigerator filter, including fluoride.

Right From The Water Ionizer Is Best

There’s nothing more refreshing than a glass of healthy alkaline water. Gotten fresh from a home water ionizer, alkaline water has high negative ORP and a higher pH than plain water. Drinking alkaline water straight from the water ionizer is always best because the beneficial qualities of the water remain intact.