Is it true that 'talking to water changes its crystals'? The clear answer from science: AI book review of 'Water Knows Nothing'

'If you say "thank you" to water, it forms beautiful crystals,' or 'Water with small clusters is easier for the body to absorb'—have you ever heard claims like these?

At first glance, they seem like scientific and heartwarming 'good stories.' However, when held up against the basic principles of physics and chemistry, these claims have absolutely no basis in fact.

The book 'Water Knows Nothing' by science educator Takeo Sakamaki is a volume that thoroughly examines such 'pseudoscience related to water.' Surprisingly, it also reveals the fact that the safety standards for mineral water, which we assume to be 'safe and high-quality,' are actually looser than those for tap water.

In this article, while introducing the essence of the book, we will consider why people believe in pseudoscience and how we can see through it.

Scientific verification of 'words changing crystals'

In the 2000s, the book 'The Message from Water' became a bestseller. Water shown a paper with the words "thank you" written on it formed beautiful hexagonal crystals, while water shown "you fool" formed broken crystals—such photos became a hot topic and were even used in schools as teaching materials for moral education.

However, asDr. Ukichiro Nakaya, known for his research on snow crystals, clarified, the shape of a crystal is determined solely by physical conditions: "temperature" and "supersaturation of water vapor (humidity)". There is no physical explanation for a mechanism where the "meaning" of words or "vibrations" could influence crystal structure.

Sakamaki points out that the photos of "beautiful crystals" are merely those intentionally selected from countless crystals (cherry-picking). Water does not understand words, nor does it have the ability to read human emotions.

The illusion of 'water with small clusters'

'If the group of water molecules (cluster) is small, it is easier to penetrate cells and is good for health'—this is a phrase often seen in advertisements for expensive water activators and functional water.

However, according to modern chemical knowledge, in liquid water, the bonds between water molecules repeat the process of bonding and dissociation on a picosecond (one trillionth of a second) scale. In other words, it is physically and chemically impossible for a specific cluster structure to exist stably. The product concept of 'water with small clusters' itself is a fiction lacking scientific basis.

Shocking fact: Tap water safety standards are stricter than those for mineral water

What is most surprising in this book is the comparison of safety standards between tap water and mineral water.

In Japan, tap water must clear 51 strict water quality standards based on the 'Water Supply Act.' On the other hand, commercially available mineral water is managed based on the 'Food Sanitation Act' with standards for about 39 items, even when there is a sterilization process.

In other words, from the perspective of legal regulation, tap water is subjected to stricter checks on more items. The image that 'bottled water equals safe and high-quality' is not so much a scientific fact as it is an impression created by marketing.

The most effective way to make water taste delicious

So, how can we drink water so that it tastes delicious?

Sakamaki's answer is disappointingly simple: 'Chill it.' Because human taste sensitivity changes with temperature, water chilled to about 10–15°C tastes delicious regardless of its components. Before investing in a water activator costing tens of thousands of yen, try chilling it in the refrigerator first. This is the most effective method recommended by scientists.

If you are concerned about the chlorine smell (bleach smell) of tap water, boiling it or passing it through an inexpensive activated carbon filter is sufficient. Expensive 'occult products' are unnecessary.

Why do people believe in pseudoscience?

'Cherish your words' and 'do not hurt others'—these are correct morals in themselves. The problem lies in confusing this moral correctness with scientific factual correctness.

The attitude that it doesn't matter if it's scientifically false because it's a 'good story' is dangerous. Especially in educational settings, teaching unverified information to children as 'truth' deprives them of the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.

A characteristic of pseudoscience is the technique of borrowing scientific terms like 'vibration,' 'cluster,' and 'negative ion' just for the atmosphere to provide a mystical sense of authority. Just because technical jargon is used does not mean the content is scientifically accurate.

Scientific literacy as an 'intellectual form of self-defense'

In today's world overflowing with information, scientific literacy is not just for experts, but a life skill necessary for everyone.

'What is the evidence?', 'Is it reproducible?', 'Who is saying this and for what benefit?'—The habit of asking these questions becomes an 'intellectual form of self-defense' to protect yourself and your family from pseudoscience.

'Water Knows Nothing' is a book that allows you to learn this way of thinking in a fun way through the familiar subject of water. Before buying expensive water or trying out suspicious health products, please give it a read.

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