Flash in the Pan

In a press release that hit the wires today, Royal Spring Water, which sells bottled water, is using a device that creates "structured water." What is structured water? It's supposedly has the molecular structure changed somehow to provide health benefits. In the Royal Spring Water release, it refers to the build-up of bodily toxins because of chemicals dissolved in the water. The release goes on to say, "smaller water clusters move more easily in and out of cells in our body and more effectively carry in nutrients and wash out waste. The result is improved hydration, which allows our body to naturally detoxify itself." The site of the other company involved, Ferris Holding, has something about the "science," including a page called "What Water Can do for Me?"

Huh? Smaller water clusters? From what I remember of chemistry, water comes in molecules of two hydrogen atoms to one of oxygen. If people are dehydrated, then the thing to do is not buy "structured" water, but to drink more. Here's a less positive view of the entire topic by a retired chemistry professor. I think I'm with the academic on this one.