The Evontis Elite is the most powerful   non-commercial water ionizer available on the market today, but what kind of maintenance is required to maintain its highly rated performance?  Let’s take a look.

As it turns out, maintain an Evontis Elite water ionizer requires no more time or effort than maintaining any other water ionizer.  Just a few basic maintenance procedures a couple of times a year and that’s it.

Filter Replacement

Depending on how much you are using your Evontis Elite and whether or not you installed a prefiltration system with the unit, you can expect to change the filters in this model about once every six to nine months.  That’s about average.

The filter change procedure?  Well, that’s definitely NOT average.  But in a good way.

Changing the filters in an Evontis Elite water ionizer may be easier than filter replacement in any other water ionizer.  That’s because of the “swing open” front panel access to the filters and the “tip out” design of the filter connections.

You never have to move the unit to access a rear filter panel.  You never have to fumble with matching fittings on a filter door panel to snap it back in place.  The entire front panel of the Evontis Elite swings open providing full and easy access to the internal filter compartment.

Gripping the filters to unscrew them and then remove them can be tricky given the tight space inside the filter compartment.  Not the case with the Evontis Elite.  The filters actually tip out at an angle making them easy to grasp, easy to remove, easy to replace.

Once you’ve replaced the filters and locked them back in place, close the front panel and then take a few more seconds to reset the filter life indicator.

As with all water ionizers, you’ll want to run the Evontis Elite for several minutes at the neutral setting  to flush loose carbon from the filters.  Once the water coming out of the unit is clear, that’s it – you’re done.

Internal Cleaning

Internal cleaning is just as easy to perform using an Evontis Cleaning Cartridge.

Start by replacing the #2 ceramic filter with the cleaning cartridge.

If the unit is connected to the faucet, set the water temperature to hot – not scalding hot – the water should be about the same temperature as the water you would use to wash dishes.  Then divert water to the unit.

Allow the unit to run for 20 to 30 minutes at the neutral setting.  This will dissolve the cleaning powder and circulate it through the unit, loosening any scale buildup inside the electrolysis chamber and dispenser hose, flushing out of the system.

After the unit has run with the cleaning cartridge in place for 20 to 30 minutes, set your faucet to “cold” and continue to flush the system until the water coming out of the dispenser hose is the same temperate as the cold water that comes directly from the tap.

Once the temperature of the water coming out of the unit is back to normal, shut the unit off, replace the cleaning cartridge with the #2 ceramic filter and then allow the unit to run at the neutral setting for another minute or two to flush the system.

If you choose to install your Evontis Elite by connecting it directly to the cold water line below the sink, using hot water won’t be possible.  That’s okay – while hot water does allow for more effective cleaning, it’s not absolutely necessary.  And you have a couple of other options.

First – you can allow the unit to soak.  Start the cleaning procedure using cold water, but stop the unit after about 5 minutes and block the acid drain hose to lock the water inside the unit.

Allow the unit to “soak” for up to an hour, then unblock the acid drain hose and restart the unit at the neutral setting, running it for another 15 minutes.  Then replace the cleaning cartridge with the #2 ceramic filter and perform your flush at the H2O setting.

Another option is to disconnect the unit from the water supply coming from below the sink and reconnect it to a faucet using the faucet diverter that came with your Evontis Elite.

If your kitchen faucet is incompatible with the diverter, and the diverter fits another faucet in your home, you can move the unit there to perform the cleaning using hot water.

Just don’t forget to shut the water supply off before removing the water supply line from the back of the unit.  There will be a flow control valve on the T-adapter used for this direct-connect installation that you can use to stop the flow of water to the Evontis Elite.

Evontis recommends running a cleaning cartridge once every 12 to 18 months or once every 6 to 9 months if you are in a hard water area.

The Evontis Elite requires no more maintenance than any other water ionizer out there – but the front panel access and tip-out filter chamber design sure does make maintenance a whole lot easier.

Let’s take a look at what it takes to maintain an Enagic Kangen Water Machine…

Filter Replacement

All of Enagic’s “Kangen Water Machines” have a single internal filter that will last for up to 12 months.  Depending on the volume of water you are producing and the quality of your source water, you may need to replace the filter a little more often.

The filter panel on Enagic water ionizers is on the front of the unit.  Pop it off, remove the old filter and replace it with the new.  You’ll need to reset the filter life indicator – see your user manual for instructions for each model.

Once you have replaced the filter door panel you’ll need to allow water to run through the unit for a few minutes to saturate the media in the new filter and flush out the loose carbon.  This is the same with any new filter.  Until the carbon element inside the filter is fully saturated, fine carbon particles will be picked up by the water and you’ll notice a dark blue or gray color to the water.  This usually clears up after water flows through the unit for a few minutes.

Internal Cleaning

While the cost cleaning your Kangen water ionizer won’t break the bank, it may put a dent in your schedule.

Most water ionizer companies recommend  performing internal cleaning once every 12 to 18 months or once every 6 to 9 months for users in hard water areas.  The cleaning interval Enagic recommends for all models of their Kangen Water Machines is once every one to two weeks, depending on your source water.

To perform the cleaning, you first add a packet of Enagic’s cleaning powder to the reusable cleaning cartridge.  Then, replace the internal filter with the cleaning cartridge, make sure the unit has been turned off and unplug the unit from the wall outlet.

Turn the water on and allow water to flow through the unit for 10 to 15 seconds, then stop the water flow.

Next you’ll put both the acidic drain hose and the unit’s dispenser hose in a small cup, turn the water back on and let water flow through until the cup is just over half ful.

Stop the water flow and let the unit soak for three to five hours.

After the unit has soaked for three to five hours, remove the hoses from the cup and return them to their usual position in and over the sink – then  flush the system with water for 30 seconds before removing the cleaning cartridge and replacing the filter.

Once you have reinstalled the filter, allow water to run through the unit for another 30 to 60 seconds.  After flushing the unit with the filter reinstalled it is safe to plug the unit back in and start using the unit again.

If you are in a hard water area Enagic recommends performing this cleaning weekly.  In other areas once every other week.

Performing regular cleaning of your Kangen Water Machine is required to maintain the validity of the warranty.  If you return the unit for repair and Enagic has concerns that you have not been cleaning the unit as required, you will likely have to prove, at the very least, that you have been purchasing the materials for cleaning.  Should Enagic determine that the technical issues with your unit are due to improper cleaning your warranty will likely be voided.

Compared to other water ionizers that cost significantly less, the Enagic models can easily be considered “high maintenance.”  The possibility of having your warranty voided is a little scary.

Filter Change

Depending on the volume of water produced and whether or not you are using a pre-filtration system, you’ll need to change the filters inside your Tyent water ionizer once every six to nine months.

Both Tyent countertop models and Tyent’s under counter water ionizer will always display the filter life so that you have a good idea how much longer your filters will last.  At the end of the filter life, Tyent water ionizers give both audio and visual alerts letting you know that it’s time to change the filters.

To replace the filters you’ll need to open the panel to the filter area.  On countertop models the filter panel is on the back of the unit with a panel door release on the side.  On the under counter model, the filter area is accessible from the front of the unit under the counter – the entire front door swings open from a release on the left side of the unit.

Removing one filter at a time is a good way to make sure you don’t forget which filter goes in which position.  Remove one filter, replace it – then remove the other filter and replace it.  You may want to allow the old filters to drain in the sink for a short time before throwing them away – they will have water inside.

Once the filters have been replaced, close up the filter area – replacing the filter panel on the countertop model or closing the front panel on the under counter model – and then you’ll need to reset the filter life indicator using the control panel.

Resetting the filter life indicator is slightly different depending on which model you have.  You’ll find instructions for doing this in your user manual.

Once the new filters are installed and the filter life indicator is reset, your Tyent water ionizer will be ready to start producing clean, ionized alkaline and acidic water.

Internal Cleaning

The automated cleaning cycle on Tyent water ionizers reduces scale buildup inside the electrolysis chamber by repeatedly reversing the polarity of the electrodes.  This combined with the water flowing through the chamber during cleaning helps “shake loose” mineral scale, slowing excess buildup and flushing it from the system.

While effective and slowing scale buildup, because an electrical charge is being used during this type of cleaning, some minerals will still cling to the electrodes.  Also, this does little to address scale buildup that often occurs inside the dispenser hose.

For this reason, Tyent recommends using a cleaning cartridge once every 12 to 18 months – or once every 6 to 9 months in hard water areas.  The cleaning cartridge releases citric acid into the water going through the electrolysis chamber and dispenser hose.  This “citric acid water” releases minerals from the electrodes and inside the dispenser hose and flushes it from the unit.

Using the cleaning cartridge is easy and requires no special tools.

Simply remove the filter in the second position – the ceramic filter – and replace it with the cleaning cartridge.

If your water ionizer is connected directly to the faucet, set the water temperature to hot.  Not scalding – just hot, the temperature you use when washing dishes.

If your water ionizer is connected directly to the cold water line or if you have an under-counter model, using the cleaning cartridge with cold water is also effective.  Depending on how long it has been since you have cleaned your unit and the hardness of your water, you may want to use the “soak” procedure to ensure maximum scale removal.

Once the cleaning cartridge is in place, turn the unit on at the “H2O” setting and allow the unit to run for up to 30 minutes.

Tyent water ionizers will automatically shut off after 15 minutes use to prevent overflow – so you will need to check back in 10 to 15 minutes to restart the unit.

After 20 to 30 minutes, switch the water temperature back to “cold” and allow the unit to run at the H2O setting until the water coming from the dispenser hose is cold – or the same temperature as the “cold” water that comes from your tap.

When the water coming from the unit returns to the normal temperature, turn the unit off, remove the cleaning cartridge and reinstall the #2 ceramic filter.

Close the filter area, and run the unit at the H2O setting for another minute or two to flush the unit and your Tyent cleaning is complete.

If you are using cold water with the cleaning cartridge and want to allow the unit to soak, allow the unit to run for 5 minutes at the H2O setting and then turn it off.

For under counter models, turning it off and allowing it the unit to soak as it is for up to an hour is fine.

For counter top models, you’ll want to plug the acidic drain hose to prevent water inside the chamber from draining.  You can use anything that fits over or into the drain hose that can be easily removed then allow the unit to soak for up to an hour.

After the unit has soaked, restart it using the H2O setting – be sure to remove any plug you may have used to block the acidic drain hose.  Allow the unit to run at the H2O setting for another 10 to 15 minutes before removing the cleaning cartridge and reinstalling the #2 ceramic filter.  Once the #2 ceramic filter is back in place be sure to flush the unit for a minute or two at the H20 setting.

Let’s take a look…

Filter Replacement

The internal filters in your KYK G2 water ionizer will need to be replaced about every six to nine months, depending on how much water you are producing.  Replacing the filters only takes a few minutes – you may want to have a pair of needle-nose pliers handy.

Removing and replacing one filter at a time is recommended.  Each filter is clearly labeled “filter 1” and “filter 2” however if you remove both at the same time you may forget which filter goes in which position.

Start by opening the first filter panel using the latch release on the side of the unit.  You’ll need to remove the electrode that monitors the filter life – a pair of needle-nose pliers will make it easier to hold the tab down on the electrode to remove it.

Once you have removed the electrode, remove the filter and then install the matching replacement filter.  Reconnect the electrode and then re-secure the filter door.

Repeat this process to replace the filter on the other side of the unit – removing the filter door, removing the electrode, replacing the filter then reconnecting the electrode and putting the filter door back in place.

Because filter life is monitored through the electrodes there is no filter life indicator to reset like with most other water ionizer models.  The electrodes will let the G2’s computerized control system know that new filters are installed and the unit is ready to use again.

Once the filters have been replaced you will want to run a flush for several minutes.  Turn the unit on using the purified setting and allow water to run until it is clear.  Fresh filters will have loose carbon particles inside – once the filters are saturated no more trace carbon particles will be released into the water and it will flow clearly again.

Internal Cleaning

KYK recommends using a cleaning cartridge once every 12 to 18 months – or once every 6 to 9 months in hard water areas.  The cleaning cartridge effectively removes scale buildup from inside the unit and dispenser hose, flushing it out of the system completely.

To run the cleaning cartridge you will remove the electrode from the #2 filter.  At the top of the filter is a small computer chip.  You will want to pop the chip out and put it in the cleaning cartridge.  The G2 will not run if the filter electrode is not connected to the computer chip.

Install the cleaning cartridge in the G2 in place of the #2 filter and connect the electrode.

If you do not want to remove the chip from the #2 filter, install the cartridge and place the #2 filter on top of the unit so that you can reconnect the electrode to the filter.  If the electrode is not able to read this chip the unit will not turn on.  You will want to have a towel handy to place under the filter to prevent water from leaking out of the filter and into the unit.

Once the cleaning cartridge is installed and the electrode has been installed and the electrode has been connected, set the water at your faucet to hot.  The water should not be scalding hot – a temperature that you would use for washing dishes is sufficient.

Divert the hot water to the unit and turn the unit on using the purified setting.  Allow the unit to run for 20 to 30 minutes to circulate the citric acid powder through the system which will loosen and flush out mineral scale buildup.

After 20 to 30 minutes, switch the water temperature back to cold and allow the G2 to continue running at the purified setting until the water coming from the dispenser hose is the same temperature as your cold tap water.

Once the temperature of the water coming from the dispenser hose of your G2 water ionizer has returned to normal, turn the unit off and reinstall the #2 filter.

After reinstalling the #2 filter, allow the G2 to run for another minute or two for a final flush of the system.

If your KYK G2 is connected directly to the cold water line you can still use the cleaning cartridge.  Hot water makes the cleaning more effective but it is not  necessary.  If you still have the faucet diverter that came with the unit, you can shut off the water supply below the sink using the T-adapter and “reinstall” the unit using a length of hose and the faucet diverter – if you have a kitchen faucet that isn’t compatible with the faucet diverter you can move the unit to another sink that has a compatible faucet.

Another option is to allow the unit to “soak” with the citric acid solution inside.  Just run the unit with the cleaning cartridge at the H2O setting for 5 minutes, then shut the unit off and block the acidic drain hose so that the water stays inside the unit.  Let the unit soak for up to an hour, then resume the cleaning process outlined above.

Using a cleaning cartridge at recommended intervals keeps the electrodes free of scale buildup which creates a barrier between the electrodes and the water.  As this barrier gets thicker over time, you will start to notice that the water is no longer being ionized at the same levels.

If you notice that your KYK G2 water ionizer isn’t ionizing as well as it used to – and you’ve never performed an internal cleaning – try running a cleaning cartridge.  Chances are your KYK G2 will start producing ionized water like a brand new machine.

Ionized acidic water can treat and prevent the condition.  It’s a cost effective cure for jock itch and can be applied throughout the day to relieve itching and burning.

Over-the-counter treatments can be found in most drug or grocery stores but if you have a recurring problem, the cost can add up.  Ointments can be messy and “squishy” and powders – well, while they may be okay for use at home or at the gym, they can be cumbersome and messy for quick treatments during the day.

If you have a good quality water ionizer, you’ve probably got the best, most affordable treatment for jock itch right in your kitchen – as bizarre and that sounds.  If you or someone in your home uses strong ionized alkaline water for washing produce or making coffee, your athlete’s foot cure may be going right down the drain!

Strong acidic water can relieve the pain and itching of jock itch while eliminating the fungus that causes it.

Ionized Water Jock Itch

Washing the affected area with strong acidic water helps eliminate the fungus responsible for jock itch.  Applying an acidic water compress – using a clean wash cloth and strong acidic water – to the area will relieve burning and itching on contact in many cases.  Once the area has been treated either by washing or using a compress, most can actually see a difference immediately – less redness.

After showering, rinse the affected area with strong acidic water.  If possible, apply a compress for up to 5 minutes.  Then pat the area dry and put on a fresh pair of clean, dry underwear.

For flare-ups during the day, applying acidic ionized water to the area using a small spray bottle will relieve the burning and itching and continue the fight against the fungus.  If possible, use the spray bottle to create a compress and treat the area for up to 5 minutes.  Then pat dry with a clean dry cloth before covering the area and getting back to your day.

At the gym, keep a small spray bottle of strong acidic water in your bag.  After showering, spray the area liberally and allow the acidic water to stay in contact with the area for a minute or two before patting dry with a clean dry towel.

At work, keeping a small spray bottle handy will offer quick relief of burning and itching.  Find an appropriate place and give the area a light spritz of ionized acidic water for quick relief.  Pat the area dry before redressing and getting on with your day.  If necessary – and if you’ve got the privacy at work – use your spray bottle to make a small compress and let it stay in place for a few minutes.  Again, be sure to pat the area dry with a clean dry towel before returning to work.

Other Tips to Speed Healing

• Keep a spare pair of clean, dry underwear with you.  Treat the area in the middle of the day or afternoon and then put on a fresh pair of clean, dry underwear.  Be sure to pat the area dry with a clean, dry towel before redressing.
• When bathing, be sure to rinse the area thoroughly as left-behind soap residue can cause irritation and itching.  Then treat the area with strong ionized acidic water by using it as a rinse, compress or by spraying the area.  Just be sure to pat the area dry with a clean, dry towel before dressing.
• Treat the area at least twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening – and use your spray bottle at the gym or throughout the day to relieve burning, itching flare-ups.
• Corn starch is a clean and natural powder that can be used to keep the area dry.  Choose it over powders that can have chemicals or fragrances that may actually cause more irritation.
• No squishy creams or ointments, no messy powders.  Just clean, pure ionized acidic water to relieve irritation and heal the area.

Learn how ionized water can effectively treat athlete’s foot, speed up the healing time and even be used for prevention.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes flaking, itching and burning around the toes and, in severe cases, over most of the foot’s skin.  If allowed to progress, cracking of the skin can occur which may allow a more serious infection to set in.

The most common treatments are anti-fungal sprays or creams found in most drugstores.  The condition is so common that many grocery stores also have a selection of treatments available on their “personal care” aisle.  These over-the-counter treatments can range in cost from $5 to $20 for a two to 4-week supply.

While hardly cost prohibitive, with effective elimination of athlete’s foot requiring 45 days of treatment, and reoccurrence being common – meaning repeated 45-day treatments – over time, the cost to treat the condition does add up.

Ionized Water for Athlete’s Foot

Strong ionized acidic water has been used to quickly and effectively treat Athlete’s Foot.  If you have a good quality water ionizer at home chances are you have access to acidic water strong enough to both relieve symptoms and eliminate the fungus.

The most effective way to used ionized acidic water for treating your athlete’s foot is by soaking the affected areas at least twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes.  The oxidizing acidic water can relieve burning and itching on contact while working to eliminate the fungus.

After soaking, gently pat the area dry with a clean dry towel and then put on a clean pair of socks.  If possible, avoid putting your feet back into shoes for a little while.  Feet tend to sweat when bundled in socks and shoes and this creates moisture that encourages continued fungal growth.

You can continue to treat the area throughout the day by keeping a small bottle of strong ionized acidic water with you.  Pocket-sized spray bottles are available that allow you to treat the area with a fine mist anywhere you can slip your shoes and socks off for a couple of minutes.

Repeated treatments throughout the day can speed up healing time.  It’s as easy as slipping your shoes and socks off and spraying the affected area.  Allow your feet to air dry if possible or gently pat the area dry with a clean dry cloth before putting your shoes and socks back on.

The fine mist spray can relieve itchy flare-ups during the day.  If possible take an extra pair of socks – or two – along with you.  After spot treating the area during the day, putting on a clean, fresh pair of socks will help keep the area clean and dry, “starving out” the fungus.

Prevention

If you are prone to breakouts of athlete’s foot or if you go to a gym or pool on a regular basis – breeding grounds for the fungus – treating your feet with an ionized acidic spray before putting on your socks and shoes can kill the fungus before it has a chance to set in.  Just keep a small spray bottle in your gym bag and give your feet and toes a good “spritz” – then pat dry before putting your on your shoes and socks.

Around the house, use strong acidic ionized water to rinse your bathtub or the floor of your shower, and the floors in your bathroom.  Athlete’s foot fungus will grow anywhere there is enough moisture present if not disinfected or if no anti-fungal barrier is there to prevent it.

Clean, dry socks will go a long way to keeping athletes foot at bay too.  Especially in the summertime – if you’re active, keep one or two clean pairs of socks with you.  A quick spritz of ionized acidic water and clean fresh socks during the day can help keep athlete’s foot from setting in.

We’ll start with the most obvious application of ionized acidic water for men – shaving.

Nicks and cuts happen.  Sometimes the bleeding stops right away, sometimes it doesn’t.  Rinsing nicks and cuts with ionized acidic water stops the bleeding faster and kills bacteria that can leave you with tell-tale signs of a shave gone wrong.

You can rinse the area with acidic water from your water ionizer or apply it as a compress.  Using a small spray bottle that produces a fine mist will give you one more “blast” of protection against infection before you leave the house – or after a workout at the gym – to prevent infection or irritation from airborne bacteria and sweating.

When used as an after shave, ionized acidic water effectively rinses away trace residues from soaps or shaving cream and encourages the pores to close.  Most after shaves contain alcohol which can sting or cause irritation.  Depending on how close the shave, you might feel a slight tingle but ionized acidic water won’t irritate the skin like many other products.

Some men develop dry skin because as a result of shaving daily and many now use moisturizers to address the problem.  Ionized acidic water actually helps prevent dry skin.  If you are one of those men who use a moisturizer, you’ll find that your skin actually absorbs it better and leaves less oily residue.  If your wife or girlfriend has been using acidic ionized water on her skin, that’s a secret she may be keeping from you….

Blemishes

No matter how old you get, every once in awhile you’re going to have some sort of bump or blemish show up on your face.  I’m 73 and I still get them myself from time to time.

Treating the area with ionized acidic water attacks these blemishes in a couple of ways.  First, it helps clean the pore that is building up with excess oil, dirt or bacteria.  Next, it helps kill the bacteria that is likely causing the blemish in the first place.

Rinsing your face in the morning and evening with acidic ionized water can help prevent blemishes and bumps from forming in the first place.  Treating them with compresses, additional rinses or by spritzing the area with ionized acidic water throughout the day will help them heal faster and prevent them from becoming so obvious that they seem to enter a room before you do.

Hair and Scalp

Another little secret your wife or girlfriend may not have told you about is how ionized acidic water enhances shine, texture and manageability of hair.

A quick rinse with the water after you shower helps remove any residue from shampoo and conditioners and helps close the hair follicles.  It leaves your hair softer, shinier and more manageable.

If you battle dry, itchy scalp or dandruff, a post-shower acidic rinse can help too.  Just like the water helps with dry skin on your face, it can also treat your scalp – removing dead skin and bacteria, creating a protective acidic barrier and toning the skin to help reduce and eliminate itching and flaking.

Diet Soda – Not So Diet After All

In a recent study, one group of participants were given artificially sweetened soft drinks and another group was given soft drinks containing sugar.  Each participant was then given an MRI to determine the effects of the different types of soda on the brain.

What researchers found was that the “diet soda” group showed activity in the pleasure centers of the brain.  In the group that consumed the regular sodas containing sugar with no artificial sweeteners, the pleasure center of the brain was also activated.

The key difference was in the part of the brain that registered “gratification” or satisfaction.  In the “diet soda” group there was no activity in the part of the brain responsible for registering satisfaction which triggers the “I’ve had enough, thank you” response.  For those participants consuming the regular sodas sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and other non-artificial sweeteners, both the pleasure and satisfaction centers of the brain were activated.

While neither diet or “regular” soft drinks can be considered a healthy choice, failure to activate the “satisfied” signals in the brain contributes to consuming either more soft drinks or more of other substances in an attempt to feel (or get the brain message that you are) satisfied.

Studies have long shown that while weight gain was not as severe in those who consumed diet soft drinks instead of regular sugar-laden soft drinks, there was still an increase in weight among diet soda consumers.  The fact that diet sodas can actually cause additional cravings is just one way this can be explained.  Trading off sugar in soft drinks for higher consumption of other foods or beverages.

Many researches NOT working on behalf of the artificial sweetener industry have concluded that any benefits of choosing these products over sugar are outweighed by the side effects.  These conclusions were in place long before the brain study findings.

Sweetest Toxins Know to Man

Artificial sweeteners have been linked to carcinogenic effects on the bladder and the female reproductive organs – even in individuals who consume as little as one to two bottles of soda per day.

In 2010, Ajinomoto, maker of aspartame actually rebranded the product due to controversy and bad press.

The fact that Aspartame was once on the Pentagon’s list of biological warfare weapons should be a head’s up as well…

Many scientists at American universities claim that they are unable to do research into the effects of artificial sweeteners because they can no longer get grants for funding the research.  They claim that department heads have been advised to “drop all discussions on the topic.”  However that is not the case in Europe, where one of the longest ongoing studies on this subject was done in Italy.

In the Soffritti Study conducted at the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the European Ramazzini Foundation of Oncology and Environmental studies in Bologna, Italy, significant instances of malignant tumors, legions and cancers were found in test subjects given less than the acceptable daily intake.

The rats used in the study (over 250,000 total over several years) were found to have an incrase in lymphomas and leukemias witih significant trends in both male and female test subjects.  Increases in transitional cell carcinomas related to bladder and kidney were found also found as well as several other negative effects.  The study concluded that aspartame was a “multipotential carcinogenic agent” and reevaluation of its use and consumption should not be delayed.

That was in 2005.

Soda is Bad, Diet Soda is Worse

If you’re married to soft drinks, do yourself a favor and at least skip the diet versions.  You’re getting enough chemicals and acids drinking soft drinks without compounding the negative impact on your health by adding in the known carcinogenic effects of artificial sweeteners.

If you’re drinking diet sodas to help you lose weight, do yourself an even bigger favor and switch to water and an occasional natural fruit juice if you need to satisfy a sweet craving.

Water hydrates the body and helps flush toxins from your system.  Ionized alkaline water is restructured to be super-hydrating with better penetration of your body’s cells and antioxidant properties.  As cells are hydrated the body begins to release more toxins and fat cells.  The less toxic your system, the more energy you have.  Most people find that they are more likely to exercise more often and/or longer once they begin drinking ionized alkaline water because they have more energy.

Don’t drink water because you don’t like the taste?  Find an authorized water ionizer distributor near you and ask for a sample of the water.  Most people report that the prefer the taste of ionized alkaline water to regular tap or bottled water and as a result, choosing water over soft drinks is easier.

So what are these chemicals additives and how is it that the FDA allows soft drink producers to add them to their products?

Brominated Vegetable Oil

Bromine-based (brominated) compounds are commonly used in commercialized flame retardants.  Of all flame retardants used, brominated flame retardants are the most popular in industry, applied to over 2.5 million tons of polymers used in furniture, textiles and plastics.

So what does that have to do with soft drinks?  As it turns out, brominated vegetable oils are added to many soft drinks to keep the citric acid flavoring from separating from the rest of the soda formula.   Brominated vegetable oils have been used as food additives like this since around the 1930’s however in 1970 the FDA removed the substance from its “Generally Recognized as Safe” list.

Still, after research presented by the soft drink industry the FDA succumbed to pressure from the Flavor Manufacturers’ Association and granted the substance “interim approval” limiting its use to 15 parts per billion.  That was 35 years ago and, despite earlier findings and drastic increase in consumption of beverages containing BVO, the FDA says that reviewing the safety of this substance is “not a public health priority for the agency at this time.”

Meanwhile in the rest of the world….

• Soft drink standards in India prohibit the use of BVO as an additive
• BVO has still not been accepted as safe by the European Union and is not found on their approved additives list.
• Usage of BVO was banned in India in 1988 and its use remains prohibited.
• Brominated food additives are banned or severely limited in Canada, the UK and many part of Asia
• Research in countries around the world continue to link BVO series health problems in test subjects

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Benzoate is used in most soft drinks and many foods as a preservative.  As a stand-alone it is generally considered safe.  The problem with sodium benzoate in soft drinks is that it doesn’t stand alone.

When combined with ascorbic acid – a common ingredient in soft drinks – sodium benzoate has been proven to form benzene which is known to cause cancer.

In 2005 the FDA detected benzene in a number of soft drinks at or below the 5ppb “acceptable level” with several brands (unnamed) containing levels up to 15 times higher than the FDA’s acceptable guidelines.

In 2006 a study in the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency released results showing benzene levels in soft drinks above the World Health Organization’s 10ppb acceptable level.

Two factors that reportedly contributed to higher levels of benzene in soft drinks were the use of plastics for packaging and the amount of ascorbic acid used for flavoring.  Soft drinks that had a more “citrus tang” used more ascorbic acid and therefore were found to have higher levels of benzene.

Benzene levels in food, beverages and water supplies are regulated because of its known carcinogenic effects.  Benzene has been found to cause cancer and bone marrow failure.  Research has consistently shown that benzene is linked to many forms of leukemia, blood disorders and bone marrow abnormalities.

Given that most people are exposed to benzene on a daily basis from other sources – fumes in and around gas stations, cigarette smoke and drinking water are a few examples – the additional benzene intake from consuming soft drinks should, at the very least, cause you to think twice before popping the top on your next can of soda.

Alternatives

People reach for a soft drink to either quench thirst, satisfy a craving or in some cases instead of a meal or snack.

All natural fruit juices are filling and can satisfy sweet cravings.  They also have nutrients that help the body rather than chemicals that are known to harm the body.

Water is the most effective substance for hydration and quenching thirst.  Ionized alkaline water has been restructured at the molecular level to hydrate even more effectively.  Ionized alkaline water also provides better absorption of minerals like calcium and magnesium.  The ionization process actually produces negative hydroxyl ions – powerful antioxidants.

Reaching for a glass of ionized alkaline water will not only quench your thirst better than soft drinks, it will provide your body with nutrients and antioxidants to promote health rather than break it down.

Americans consume carbonated drinks at the rate of 13.15 billion gallons a year.  In schools across the country, soft drinks are replacing milk in our children’s diets at an incredible rate.  Between 1985 and 1997 school districts across the country decreased their milk purchases by over 30 percent while the amount of carbonated beverages purchased for resale at schools has steadily increased.

From 1977 to 2001 alone American’s doubled their consumption of sweetened beverages while over the same period, obesity rates also doubled.

One study which followed 548 children over a 19 month period found that as soft drink consumption increased, so did the body mass index of those students.  Each soft drink consumed increased a student’s BMI by almost half a pound.

Another study showed the association between calcium levels and soft drink consumption in children.  In this study, children who drank more than four 12 to 16-ounce soft drinks per week had significantly lower blood calcium levels than those who did not.  This corresponded with research showing the risk of bone fractures in adolescents consuming soft drinks on a regular basis was three to four times more likely.

For children and adults alike, those consuming soft drinks on a regular basis showed lower blood calcium levels, increased risk of bone fractures and a significantly higher incidence of obesity.  If you think “diet” sodas get you off the hook, think again.  While obesity rates were lower in those consuming artificially sweetened soft drinks, blood calcium levels were lower and risks for bone fracture and/or tooth decay were still higher.

Cause and Effect

It should come as no surprise that the amount of sugar found in soft drinks paired with the amount of soft drinks consumed accounts for increased rates of obesity in both children and adults.  The average sugar content in soft drinks is 12 ounces – that’s 72 teaspoons of sugar in each serving of soda.

Higher levels of soft drink consumption are proven to be associated with weight gain because of the sugar content, but what about bone loss?  Associations between bone loss and soft drink consumption are related to the tart, tangy “bite” that people love the most about soft drinks.

What gives soft drinks that “bite?”  Phosphoric acid.

Study after study after study has linked consumption of soft drinks with bone loss and tooth decay.  In the majority of those studies, the phosphoric acid found in soft drinks is identified as the most likely culprit.

Phosphoric acid, primarily used in commercial fertilizers and in solvents used to remove rust from metals, has been shown to leach calcium from bones.  High levels of phosphoric acid have been shown to both leach calcium from bones and prevent proper absorption of calcium in the body.

Anyone who doubts the bone-destroying power of soft drinks need look no further than a recent lawsuit against Pepsi-Co.

In the lawsuit filed by an Illinois man against Pepsi Co., the plaintiff alleges he found a mouse in a can of Mountain Dew.  Pepsi Co’s defense?  Impossible.  The company’s lawyers offered expert testimony that the mouse would have dissolved in the can of soda in the 15 months between the time the soda was packaged and the time the plaintiff opened the can.

Acidity and Health

Excess acids in the system are consistently linked to weakened immune system function and a wide variety of diseases.  The alkaline ionized water industry has boomed as a result of growing consumer awareness of the harmful  effects of acids in the body and the benefits of drinking ionized alkaline water to regulate the body’s pH.

Battery acid has acidic pH of 1.0.  Most soft drinks have an acidic pH in the 2.5 – 3.0 range.  According to the Minnesota dental association, the threshold pH for dissolution of tooth enamel is 5.5 pH.

A person would need to drink 5 to 8 glasses of ionized alkaline water at a pH of 9.5 to counter the effects of one serving of soda.

A Better Choice

Where soft drinks have a negative impact on health and no hydration properties, water hydrates and helps flush toxins from the body.  Increased consumption of water has been linked to weight loss, improved skin conditions and better digestive function.

Ionized alkaline water, being restructured at the molecular level to reduce surface tension and increase cellular absorption rates, safely and effectively hydrates the body.  Many athletes are now turning to ionized alkaline water for its superior hydration properties without the “crash” that can be associated with sports drinks.

Where soft drinks increase body acidity and are associated with calcium loss, ionized alkaline water alkalizes the body by helping with elimination of toxins which perpetuate an overly-acidic system.   The body not only benefits from the increased hydration properties of ionized water but also the minerals found in most water as the body absorbs these minerals at a higher rate.

Take the challenge.  Find an authorized ionized alkaline water distributor near you.  Substitute ionized alkaline water for at least 50 percent of the fluids you consume each day for a week.  You’ll feel the difference almost immediately.  And when you do, you can contact that same ionized alkaline water distributor about getting your own water ionizer.