An alkaline water ionizer is a device that uses electrolysis to divide water into acidic and alkaline components in order to increase the pH of the water. Usually, these devices ionize and filter water, purporting to create alkaline water that has health advantages. Alkaline water ionizers are said to raise the concentration of hydroxide ions, which are negatively charged ions, by the ionization process, raising the pH level. The health advantages of alkaline water are still up for discussion, though, with some scientists arguing that any alkalinity brought on by ionizers may be neutralized by the body's natural buffering mechanisms. As such, even though alkaline water ionizers may change the pH of water, there is still much to learn about their potential effects on general health.