Structured water, sometimes called magnetized or hexagonal water, refers to water with a structure that has supposedly been altered to form a hexagonal cluster.
Proponents claim structured water shares similarities with water that hasn’t been polluted or contaminated by human processes. They believe these qualities make it healthier than tap or filtered water.
According to structured water proponents, this type of water exists naturally in mountain springs, glacier melt, and other untouched sources.
Others believe you can turn regular water into structured water by:
- magnetizing it through a process called vortexing
- exposing it to ultraviolet (UV) or infrared light
- exposing it to natural heat and energy, such as sunlight
- storing it in gemstone water bottles
But does structured water really live up to the hype? Read on to find out.
Supporters of structured water believe that it offers many health benefits, claiming that it:
- increases energy
- improves concentration and memory
- promotes weight loss and weight maintenance
- promotes better sleep
- supports a healthy immune system
- helps detoxify the body
- promotes good digestion and reduces constipation
- promotes longer life
- improves skin complexion and circulation
- helps stabilize blood sugar
According to the idea behind structured water, vortexing water charges it and allows it to hold energy. Allegedly, this energy then recharges the body and hydrates it more thoroughly than ordinary drinking water.
Much of the claims about structured water come from a book, “The Water Puzzle and the Hexagonal Key: Scientific Evidence of Hexagonal Water and Its Positive Influence on Health,” by Dr. Mu-Shik Jhon, which has received serious criticism from experts.
There aren’t any high quality human studies that support the many health-related claims made about structured water.
Some proponents cite a
While these results sound promising, the study was small and the results haven’t been replicated in humans.
Plus, current scientific knowledge can counter most claims made about structured water.
For example:
- The chemical formula for water is H2O, which means each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The formula for structured water is said to be H3O2. But water’s chemical formula has always been H2O. A different chemical formula would indicate a different substance that chemists haven’t identified.
- Proponents of structured water claim that it holds a unique hexagonal shape. But water molecules are in constant motion. This means that its structure is frequently changing.
- A 2008 study conducted by undergraduate students and published in the Journal of Chemical Education looked at water before and after it was magnetized to see if magnetizing the water actually altered its composition. According to their results, the magnetized water didn’t show any significant variations in hardness, pH, or conductivity.
Medical research has long supported the health benefits of water. And it doesn’t have to be structured to support good health.
You’ve probably heard the recommendation to drink eight glasses of water per day, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.
For example, you may need to drink more water if you:
- are very active
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- live in a hot or humid climate
- have an illness, including a viral or bacterial infection
But generally, you’re most likely getting enough water if you:
- drink water throughout the day or whenever you feel thirsty
- eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which naturally contain water
- aren’t thirsty often
- usually have pale or clear urine
Staying hydrated is important, but it’s possible to drink too much water.
Companies selling structured water make some extreme claims about its benefits.
However, there’s no evidence behind them, nor is there compelling evidence that such a substance as “structured water” even exists.
Regular drinking water, both filtered and from the tap, offers real benefits at a fraction of the price.