ALKALINE WATER: THE AGCM FINES

A couple of weeks ago, a follower wrote to me asking what I thought about Kangen water. A customer of hers had suggested purchasing the machine to produce it, and she told her I approved.

I already spoke about this topic in August 2024, but a year has now passed, so I want to reiterate my position clearly: I believe that machine-produced ionized alkaline water is not useful.The reason is simple: when alkaline water reaches the stomach, it comes into contact with the gastric juices and became acid.Furthermore, these machines are often sold claiming significant benefits related to alkaline water consumption, which, however, are not true. For this very reason, six companies selling these machines have been fined by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) for unfair commercial practices.

Live Better's slogan is "Be Aware, Be Conscious, Live Better." So raising awareness is part of our very DNA.

FOREWORD
For the stories and in-depth analysis I published last year on the alkaline water issue, I received a warning, because we aren't 100% free to express our personal opinions. The story was incredibly helpful: it taught me how to communicate without breaking any laws, but it certainly didn't shut me down. 😉

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2024
Several people who gained exposure to Live Better have started selling a machine for producing Kangen water, or ionized alkaline water, with molecular hydrogen. The machine is called Leveluk, and the latest model is the K8. The company that sells it is called Enagic.

Many of our customers/followers were offered this machine, which last year cost €5,124 including VAT. I received numerous requests to express my opinion. After due diligence, I expressed my opinion. I did so late, and I apologize for that, because some people purchased the machine, only to later write to me that if they had known what I explained in my detailed description, they would not have purchased it.

I would like to point out that Live Better took a very strong stance on that occasion: we terminated relationships (one of which was even personal) with the professionals involved in selling the machine, eliminated their discount codes (thus losing sales) and cancelled the live broadcasts.

UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES
These machines are often sold with claims that they offer significant health benefits, but this isn't true. In fact, between 2015 and 2016, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) fined several companies for unfair commercial practices, linked to the alleged benefits of alkaline water, six companies that market alkaline water production equipment have been targeted by the alleged benefits of alkaline water. Unfortunately, this does not seem to have helped, as some Kangen water vendors continue to use unfair business practices, as you can see in this November 2024 report from Striscia la Notizia.

Here are just some of the statements about ionized alkaline water that led the AGCM to fine these companies:
– “New anti-cancer treatment”
– “The most powerful antioxidant (…) even for curing serious diseases”
– “Restores the acid-base balance, prevents issues and symptoms related to acidosis, thus helping to slow aging and improve health”
– “Regulates blood pressure, aids digestion, improves nutrition, useful in healing processes, regulates body pH, reduces acidosis, restores alkalinity, neutralizes free radicals, eliminates toxins, (…) slows aging, regulates high blood pressure, improves blood glucose in diabetes, improves peripheral circulation in diabetic gangrene, improves liver function in hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver diseases”
– “To prevent and stop osteoporosis, it is recommended to drink ionized alkaline water”
– “Drinking ionized alkaline water helps prevent various disorders: diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, heart problems, kidney stones, tumors, headaches”
– “Ionized alkaline water is the best ally to stay young and healthy”
– “Ionized alkaline water has a hexagonal structure, more hydrating = more regular bowel movements, better intestinal transit”
– “Ionized alkaline water hydrates and lubricates joints more efficiently”
– “Ionized alkaline water fights metabolic acidosis, which causes fatigue, chronic tiredness, inability to build muscle tone, and general weakness. Acidosis also causes cellulite, water retention, allergies, osteoporosis, hair loss, baldness, muscle cramps and lactic acid, joint pain, intestinal and digestive disorders”
– “Ionized alkaline water helps eliminate waste stored in body fat. Using alkaline ionizers at home increases calorie consumption and contributes to fat loss.”

Here are the official bulletins where you can read the rulings and the amount of the fines issued:
Bulletin no. 42 of 23/11/2015, page 12 – click here to read it.
Daxa Corporation: €35,000
Aurora Point: €15,000
Aurora Line: €15,000

Bulletin no. 48 of 4/1/2016, page 54 – click here to read it.
Enagic (Kangen water): €80,000

Bulletin no. 10 of 4/4/2016, page 9 – click here to read it.
Meglio in salute: €20,000 Alka System: €10,000

The Authority fined these six companies because their claims about the benefits of ionized alkaline water were not true. Health-related claims, known as “health claims,” must be approved by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority. Once a health claim has been approved, it must be used exactly as defined by EFSA. For example, “Vitamin C contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system” must be stated precisely that way no changes to the wording are allowed. You can see the approved health claims here.

The statements cited in the AGCM ruling are not approved by EFSA. There is no health claim related to alkaline water..

ALKALINE WATER
Alkaline water is simply water with a pH greater than 7. pH is a physical measurement that indicates acidity or alkalinity. “Alkaline” is just another word for “basic,” meaning pH above 7. Neutral solutions have pH 7, acidic ones have pH below 7.

I wrote a detailed article about ionized alkaline water produced by machines, where I explain the whole issue in depth. You can read it here.

Why do I specify “produced by machines”? Because natural alkaline spring water is a completely different thing: it’s alkaline because it contains alkalizing compounds like calcium, silica, potassium, magnesium, and bicarbonates. Any beneficial effects are linked to these minerals. But even here, no health claim has been approved. In fact, the Italian Advertising Standards Authority (IAP) issued aninjunction against Maniva water, which had advertised “our cells need a healthy, alkaline environment to live longer.” Since no scientific evidence supports that, the claim was deemed misleading.

WHICH WATER TO DRINK
So the question remains: which water should we drink? We actually hosted a live session with Dr. Giorgio Temporelliexpert in hygiene, regulations, and water treatment technologies, and team leader for water safety plans. You can rewatch the session here(and feel free to speed it up—it lasts two hours, sorry, but the topic was too important!).

At the end of that session we included a table showing what the most common filtration systems remove: activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, and UV rays. The table is taken from Dr. Temporelli’s excellent book Il manuale dell’acqua.

Riassunto dalla diretta:

• water quality in Italy is very good, as 85% comes from underground sources, where water is more protected from contamination
• dopo essere prelevata alla fonte l’acqua viene controllata e se necessario subisce processi per migliorarne i parametri. Le tubature non sono in buone condizioni e generano perdite di circa il 40%. Nei prossimi anni ci saranno interventi per migliorare la condizione. Nella maggior parte dei casi l’acqua che arriva al rubinetto è di buona qualità.
• water is continuously monitored, but the results of the analysis are not always updated on the website of the company that bills you for water consumption. You can email the company and ask for the latest analysis results.
• it is possible to conduct tests on the water that comes out of your home tap. Altroconsumo offers the serviceindicating which tests are recommended based on the reported problems. You can also contact a testing laboratory in your city.
• activated carbon filter is very effective for what are the main problems: chlorine, odor, PFAs, bisphenol A (BPA). It is indifferent whether the filter is on the sink, in a jug, or under the sink. The important thing is to replace the filter according to the indicated timeline. A charcoal filter that also contains silver is also antibacterial (with respect to bacteria that may form in the filter).
• reverse osmosis also removes heavy metals and minerals. The result is clean water, but stripped of minerals. Some machines remineralize the water afterward. The downside is that the process wastes water: for every liter of purified water, another liter is discarded.This makes it unsustainable unless your starting water has very serious issues.
• UV rays are very effective against any bacteria
• The maximum legal limits for chemical parameters imposed by regulations are VERY precautionary because they must ensure that the substance will not cause harm even if it is taken over a lifetime
• if chlorine is present in the water, simply pour the water into an open jug and it will evaporate.
• Hard water (with limescale) is not a problem. It actually provides calcium, which is beneficial. It doesn’t cause kidney stones, since most stones are calcium oxalate, while water contains calcium carbonate . Oxalates come mainly from vegetables look up which ones are highest.
• The fixed residue indicates the amount of mineral salts dissolved in the water. For healthy people, it is not true that water with low fixed residue is better; on the contrary, in summer when we sweat a lot (and thus lose minerals) it is poor water, which does not replenish lost minerals.
• alkaline water does nothing; when it reaches the stomach, the gastric juices make it an acidic solution, and it leaves the stomach as such. There is no scientific evidence on its benefits.
• Molecular hydrogen water might have benefits, but current science is still uncertain. More info in this insight.

For the record: Dr. Temporelli himself drinks tap water filtered with an activated carbon jug even though he lives in Genoa, where most water comes from surface sources, which are potentially more problematic.

And if anyone has specific issues with their household water, Dr. Temporelli also offers private consultations: info@giorgiotemporelli.com

That’s it, we’ve reached the end of this deep dive. I truly hope it helps you build awareness and live better!
Knowledge sets one free.

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EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MOST COMMON TREATMENT SYSTEMS