Discover the surprising negative ions benefits for your health and well-being
The main function of air ionizers in general, and TEQOYA ionizers in particular, is to diffuse negative ions that purify the surrounding indoor air from various pollutants harmful to health. Found abundantly in the purest natural environments on earth, negative ions offer significant benefits to humans and the planet. But where exactly can we find them? How do they work, and what are the scientifically recognized negative ions benefits?
As a surfer, I always seek to breathe the purest sea air possible. Thanks to its richness in mineral salts and negative ions, sea air provides numerous health benefits. The swell, waves, and wind increase the concentration of these beneficial elements. To recreate these negative ions benefits in the indoor air of my medical practice, I decided to use an ionizer device. In addition to improving well-being, it helps reduce microbes, micropollutants, and allergens in the air my patients breathe.
Guillaume Barucq, General practitioner and author of the books "Surf Therapy" and "Detoxification"
Where do we find negative ions?
The air around us is naturally ionized, maintaining a balance between positive and negative ions in most natural environments.
However, in the purest natural spaces, the concentration of negative ions is significantly higher. You can experience these elevated levels at the foot of waterfalls, where the bursting of water droplets releases electrons—a phenomenon known as the Lenard effect—which ionizes oxygen molecules (O2- ions, see below). Similarly, mountains, seashores, forests, and sunny open spaces are rich in negative ions that contribute to overall well-being.
A short lesson in physics and chemistry:
An ion is an atom or a molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons. When an atom is neutral, the ion carries an electrical charge. A negative ion forms when an atom gains extra electrons.
The oxygen molecule O2, which makes up about 20% of the air we breathe, is an electrophilic molecule that easily attracts an extra electron (marked in red in the illustration), forming the O2- ion. This ion plays a key role in delivering negative ions benefits to both air quality and human health.
Have you ever felt a sense of calm before a storm? Or noticed a sudden feeling of peace by the sea? These sensations are often linked to the influence of ions on our physiology, especially the benefits of negative ions.
Research indicates that negative ions are beneficial to our health: they can improve sleep quality, enhance tissue oxygenation, boost concentration, and elevate mood. Exposure to negative ions is also believed to help the body better manage stress. [1]
How harmful are positive ions?
While negative ions promote well-being, positive ions are often associated with polluted environments, where their concentration increases and negative ions tend to disappear—especially in enclosed spaces with artificial air conditioning. Devices like air conditioners, photocopiers, electronic circuit boards, and screens can all elevate positive ion levels indoors.
The health effects of positive ions are becoming better understood. These ions can contribute to increased irritability, migraine attacks, or even thrombosis, as they alter the electrical charge of the atmosphere, particularly following meteorological changes. [2]
Researchers have discovered that these electrical charges—also referred to as positive ionization—trigger the release of serotonin in the body. They identified three types of physiological responses related to weather sensitivity:
- Overproduction of serotonin, leading to typical symptoms of irritation.
- Adrenal insufficiency, causing a typical exhaustion syndrome.
- Hyperthyroidism-like symptoms, despite a sluggish thyroid.
Understanding the contrast between the effects of positive and negative ions highlights just how valuable the negative ions benefits can be for maintaining a balanced, healthy indoor environment.
How beneficial are negative ions?
Despite what their name might suggest, negative ions have a remarkably positive impact on both the air we breathe and our overall health. They enter the body primarily through respiration and skin contact, enhancing cellular communication and improving the absorption of oxygen in the lungs. These are just some of the scientifically observed negative ions benefits.
They also help purify the air by binding to pollutant particles. This is why sea air—rich in negative ions—contains up to 100 times fewer germs than urban air. [3]
The physiological benefits of negative ions
In Eastern traditions such as Chinese and Indian medicine, a vital life force—called Qi or Prana—is fundamental to health and well-being. These traditions recognize the air as one of the main sources of this life energy. Through breathing practices like Pranayama, individuals aim to absorb this energy directly from the atmosphere—where negative ions play a crucial role.
A bit of history:
André Van Lysebeth, who popularized yoga in the West, linked negative ions to the concept of Prana, calling them a primary vehicle for this vital energy in the air:
- “(...) I believe I was the first to connect scientific findings to the yogic concept of Prana. Based on Western research—unrelated to yoga—I am convinced that one of the main forms of Prana consists of free negative ions... tiny packets of electrical energy carried by oxygen atoms in the air, which our bodies then absorb.”
"Pranayama: the dynamics of the breath", Editions Flammarion, 1971.
Our bodies absorb atmospheric electricity, use it, and release it through the skin. The more efficiently we absorb negative ions and discharge excess electrical charges, the more balanced and energized we feel. This is another one of the negative ions benefits—their positive effect on respiratory function and general vitality.
Yogis believe the nose is the primary gateway for Prana absorption. Considering we breathe about 12,000 liters of air per day, the quality of that air—and the presence of beneficial negative ions—matters more than we often realize.
In 2013, Italian researchers found that negative ions positively affect human psychophysiology. They reported a reduction in mood disorder symptoms and improved cognitive performance in individuals exposed to high concentrations of negative ions. "There is individual variability. Some people are more sensitive to the lack of negative ions and may experience insomnia, fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, negative thoughts, headaches, and respiratory discomfort," says Dr. Robert. [3]
Meanwhile, a British study conducted by the Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences in Liverpool found that exposure to negative ions improved body temperature regulation, heart rate, and breathing—especially during rest. These negative ions benefits extend to better cardiac function, improved sleep, reduced angina, and normalized blood pressure. [5]
The benefits of negative ions on air pollution control
Some types of air ionizers have proven effective at removing airborne contaminants such as dust, cigarette smoke, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. These negative ions benefits make ionizers a powerful tool in improving indoor air quality.
When using a high-performance air ionizer, you can achieve impressive results: in just 30 minutes, 97% of ultrafine particles (0.1 microns) and 95% of fine particles (1 micron, or PM1) can be eliminated from indoor air. In addition, negative ions reduce airborne particle concentration: after 2 hours, up to 95% of airborne bacteria are removed, according to lab tests.
In controlled environment experiments, air ionization also led to a 70–75% reduction in fine particles (PM10). These measurable outcomes clearly illustrate the benefits of negative ions for managing air pollution in enclosed spaces, including homes, offices, and healthcare settings.
The benefits of negative ions on respiratory diseases
The connection between air ionization and respiratory health lies in the ability of negative ions to neutralize pollutant particles. By reducing airborne allergens and irritants, negative ions benefits include lowering the frequency and severity of respiratory issues, particularly in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.
Epidemiological studies have suggested that negative ions can positively impact asthma symptoms. Although recent clinical studies remain limited, research conducted in France by Cossec revealed promising results. A group of 30 asthma patients received long-term exposure to high concentrations of negative ions (over 100,000 ions/cm³ at a distance of 60 cm from the ionizer) for one and a half years. This exposure led to a significant reduction in asthma medication use: theophylline derivatives (-43%), corticosteroids (-44%), and antiallergic drugs (-71%). [7]
Clinical outcomes also showed that after just 30 minutes of inhaling high doses of negative ions, oxygen absorption increased by 20%, while carbon dioxide emission rose by 14.5%. These findings suggest that negative ions benefits include helping normalize pulmonary function, providing valuable support to asthma sufferers and others with respiratory conditions.
Negative ions at home for better indoor air quality: yes, but without ozone!
As awareness of indoor air quality grows, more people are turning to air ionizers as a solution. This technology is recognized for its ability to purify the air, and the negative ions benefits it offers are well-documented. However, not all ionizers are created equal—some may produce ozone as a byproduct, which can be harmful to your health.
Before purchasing an air ionizer, it's essential to ensure that the device does not emit ozone. This reactive gas can negate all the benefits of negative ions and pose serious health risks, especially in closed environments.
TEQOYA ionizers are 100% safe. They are among the only models on the market that do not emit ozone at all. Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that the ozone levels around a TEQOYA unit are below 2 ppb—even just a few centimeters away. This is at the very limit of detectability for measuring devices. [8]
In addition to offering the full range of negative ions benefits, TEQOYA ionizers are also energy-efficient (1.5W consumption—less than €5 per year). So you can breathe easier, sleep peacefully, and enjoy clean air with no compromise.
Click here for more information on TEQOYA air ionizers. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Sources
[1] International Journal of Molecular Science - Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore (2018). Negative Air Ions and Their Effects on Human Health and Air Quality Improvement. Disponible sur : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213340/
[2] Nutrition Review (2010). Les bienfaits sur la santé des ions négatifs. Disponible sur : https://www.ionisation.be/Les_bienfaits_sur_la_sante_des_ions_negatifs_-_Nutritionreview_2003.pdf
[3] Research in Psychology and behavorial science - Department of Neurosciences, University of Parma, Italy (2013) . There's Something in the Air: Empirical Evidence for the Effects of Negative Air Ions (NAI) on Psychophysiological State and Performance. Disponible sur : https://www.researchgate.net/
[4] Apnee Savoie (2012). André Van Lysebeth, le yoga, Pranayama, les ions négatifs et l'apnée. Disponible sur : Archives | APNÉE SAVOIE (apnee-savoie.com)
[5] National Library of Medicine (1993). An investigation of the effects of negative air ions on responses to submaximal exercise at different times of day. Disponible sur : An investigation of the effects of negative air ions on responses to submaximal exercise at different times of day - PubMed (nih.gov)
[6] Emersum & Université de Rome (2020). Effect of ionization on nebulized droplets containing Influenza A/H1N1/ PR8 virus. Disponible sur : test_teqoya_sapienza_h1n1.pdf (teqoya.fr)
[7] TEQOYA (2022). Revue biblio : les bienfaits pour la santé des ions négatifs. Disponible sur : Revue biblio : les bienfaits des ions négatifs? (teqoya.fr)
[8] CERTAM (2016). Mesure du potentiel oxydant d'un purificateur d'air TEQOYA par résonance paramagnétique électronique. Disponible sur : rapport_TEQOYA_Certam_potentiel_oxydant_V1.1.pdf
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