Hydrogen water and ionized water are two rising trends in wellness drinks, often mistaken for one another. I used to mix them up, too, until I decided to try them both firsthand.
Through my own experiments and deep dives into research journals, I gained a clearer understanding of their differences and benefits. After testing them individually, I now know exactly which one works best for me and why.
If you’re still unsure, let me walk you through a comparison of hydrogen water and ionized water—backed by both science and my personal experience.
So, How Good Is Hydrogen Water?
A widely popular wellness drink, especially among athletes, hydrogen water is simply regular water infused with extra hydrogen gas (H2). Based on both my research and personal experience, molecular hydrogen acts as a powerful antioxidant (more benefits here), and when added to water, it becomes more bioavailable for our body cells—making it a potentially healthier choice.
Before trying hydrogen water myself, I was curious about ionized water, as it’s often marketed for similar health benefits. I tested both and noticed a real difference—hydrogen water felt more refreshing, and over time, I experienced better hydration and energy levels. While ionized water may have its own advantages, it didn’t offer me the same noticeable benefits as hydrogen-rich water.
Advantages Of Hydrogen Water Over Ionized Water
1. Easier To Make
Hydrogen water is incredibly convenient to prepare. While it’s available in cans and pouches, I found hydrogen water bottles to be a game-changer. All I have to do is fill my bottle with tap water, turn it on, and within minutes, I have fresh hydrogen-rich water ready to drink.
On the other hand, ionized water isn’t as straightforward. While you can buy it in stores, making it at home requires investing in an ionizer filter machine, which can be costly and takes up space. For me, the simplicity of a hydrogen water bottle was a HUGE PLUS.
2. Regular Taste
Taste was another major factor for me. Hydrogen-infused water tastes just like regular drinking water, as long as the H2 concentration stays within a reasonable limit. At higher concentrations (usually beyond 4-5 ppm), it can have a slightly caustic taste, but overall, I found it smooth and easy to drink.
Ionized water, however, was a different story. I personally found its taste to be slightly bitter and off-putting, making it difficult to drink regularly. Some people say ionized water can have a sweet undertone, but I never experienced that. Transitioning to hydrogen water was effortless, whereas drinking ionized water daily felt like a challenge.
3. Reduces Muscle Fatigue And Improves Endurance
Coming from an athletic background—both my parents were athletes, and I’m a professional fitness instructor—I was naturally drawn to hydrogen water after hearing about its potential benefits for sports performance. I was curious to see if it made a difference.
After drinking hydrogen water post-workout for about two and a half weeks, I noticed a clear improvement in my endurance. My energy levels were higher, my muscles recovered faster, and post-exercise soreness was significantly reduced.
In contrast, ionized water didn’t seem to have any noticeable impact on my workouts. It didn’t hurt, but it didn’t help either.
4. Boosts Energy And Overall Mood
During my research and testing, I found multiple studies suggesting that hydrogen water might help elevate mood and improve energy levels throughout the day. I decided to track how I felt while drinking it, and the results were surprising.
I experienced fewer mood swings, felt more mentally balanced, and had a steady level of energy. It wasn’t a drastic change overnight, but over time, I could tell the difference.
With ionized water, I didn’t notice any such effects. My mental state and energy levels remained the same, which made hydrogen water stand out even more.
6. Potentially Safe For All
One of the biggest advantages of hydrogen water is that it’s generally safe for everyone, as long as the H2 concentration stays within a safe limit (2.14%).
Ionized water, however, contains ionized salts, which may not be suitable for people with kidney issues. This makes hydrogen water a safer option for those who need to be mindful of their mineral intake.
The Drawbacks
Hydrogen water can be expensive if you rely on pre-packaged cans and pouches in the long run. However, after switching to a hydrogen water generator, I found it much more cost-effective.
As for side effects, no significant risks have been reported, but more research is needed to fully understand its long-term impact.
Alternatively, Is Ionized Water Any Good?
Ionized water contains mineral ions like bicarbonate, magnesium, and calcium. While some natural sources provide it, I tried making it at home using an ionizer, which works through electrolysis.
When I first experimented with an ionizer, I found it fascinating how it split water molecules into alkaline and acidic components, altering the pH level. The ionizer filtered the water, enhancing the alkaline portion and producing ionized water with a higher pH.
Regular water has a neutral pH of around 7, but the ionized water I made usually ranged between 8 and 9. While I understood its alkaline nature, I personally found the taste somewhat off-putting, which made it difficult for me to drink regularly.
So, What Are The Advantages?
A. Improves Digestion And Metabolism
One clear benefit that I realized after drinking ionized water is that it improved my digestion. I noticed better digestive abilities and fewer incidents of acid reflux. When I started digging up its benefits, I read in a journal that owing to the presence of alkaline salts; ionized water might help in balancing the acid-base balance of our body, thereby boosting digestion.
In comparison, I did not notice any difference in my digestive abilities while experimenting with hydrogen water.
B. Boosts Hydration
Ionized water is said to offer the highest level of hydration to our system since it contains water molecules that are better absorbed by the body. That is why the ads claim that ionized water is a great wellness drink, especially for those who exercise regularly.
However, once I started drinking hydrogen-rich water, I honestly felt no difference as far as hydration was concerned. I believe it all depends on how much water you drink daily to keep yourself hydrated.
Also Read: Alkaline Water vs Hydrogen Water
The Limitations Of Ionized Water
While ionized water is claimed to offer manifold benefits, we do not yet know how much ionized water we can drink daily to reap health benefits. Also, the pH level of ionized water has not yet been standardized to an acceptable value or range.
Moreover, drinking ionized water in excess might damage the natural acidic balance in our gastrointestinal tract, killing healthy bacteria and causing digestive impairments.
Hydrogen Water Vs. Ionized Water Comparison
| Point Of Difference | Hydrogen Water | Ionized Water |
|---|---|---|
| Main Feature | Contains extra molecular hydrogen. | Does not contain extra hydrogen molecules. |
| Generation Process | Prepared either through electrolysis or simply bubbling extra hydrogen gas in plain water. | Prepared through electrolysis, using an ionizer-filter machine. |
| Physical Benefits | Known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Boosts energy, and endurance and accelerates muscle recovery. | Individuals suffering from kidney disorders should ideally avoid them. |
| Mental Benefits | Might boost overall mental wellbeing. | Mental health benefits not yet found. |
| Safety | Generally safe for consumption. | Individuals suffering from kidney disorders should ideally avoid. |
| Availability | Available in cans and pouches; can be generated using hydrogen water bottles at home. | Available in bottles; or can be generated at home using ionizer filters. |
| Taste and Smell | Looks, smells, and tastes just like regular drinking water. | The taste might be bitter or sweet due to the presence of alkaline minerals. |
Also Compare: Hydrogen water generator vs tablets
So, Hydrogen Water Or Ionized Water: Which Is Better And Why?
Going through this comparative study, we can easily conclude that hydrogen water is better than ionized water. Firstly, it tastes just like regular tap water with no bad smell.
Next, everyone can drink hydro-water without any worries about side effects (not found yet). But ionized water might not be safe for everybody. When consumed in excess, the alkaline minerals contained in ionized water can disturb the natural acid balance of our bodies.
Hydrogen water is supposed to offer both physical and mental health benefits, which ionized water is not yet known to deliver. So drinking molecular hydrogenated water ensures all-around health benefits for both the mind and body.
Lastly, one significant practical advantage of hydrogen-rich water is that you can simply buy a hydrogen water generator one time and prepare it from tap water at home repeatedly. That not only saves a lot of time but also optimizes expenses.
Key Takeaways
Hydrogen water contains extra H2 gas in plain water, whereas ionized water contains ionized minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Hydrogen-rich water delivers both physical and mental health benefits. However, ionized water might offer a few health benefits, most of which need more studies to be confirmed.
Hydrogen water is safe for consumption and FDA-approved. However, ionized water might not suit everyone due to its alkaline mineral content.
You can easily prepare hydro-water at home using a hydrogen water bottle, whereas, for ionized water, you need to invest in an ionizer filter machine.
