Trustpilot
July 7th, 2020 by
The most obvious benefit of a fan is its ability to keep you cool in warm weather and while that might be the only thing we really demand of a fan, there are some fans out there that would appear to offer even more than that. If you have been shopping around for a fan, you may well have noticed that some, such as the Cyclops Tower Fan from MYLEK, also include an ioniser function. If you’re not sure what that means, or why you might want it built into a fan, then read on.
What are negative ions?
You may not be familiar with the term but you will have experienced the effects of negative ions many times. In simple terms, negative ions are molecules that float in the air that have been charged with electricity. One of the best examples is following a storm. Positive ions build in the atmosphere prior to a storm (this is often described as the atmosphere being ‘charged’ and you can sense the static electricity in the air). Negative ions accumulate after the storm has passed. It is often said that a storm ‘clears the air’ and everything feels fresher. This is the result of the negative ions. You may also notice that your mood is uplifted.
There are other natural occurrences of negative ions: where water collides with solid matter (such as a waterfall or at the coast), in ultraviolet rays from the sun and as part of the natural growth process for many plants. It’s no coincidence then that all these things can make us feel better when we’re down.
What impact can negative ions have on health and wellbeing?
Negative ions have been linked to a range of health and mental wellbeing benefits. Research supports that exposure to negative ions can help with the following[i]:
- Reduce the symptoms of depression
- Aid cognitive performance
- Promote antimicrobial activity
- Have a positive effect on seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Help regulate sleep patterns
- Improve mood
- Boost the immune system
- Improve your metabolism
- Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses and mould species
- Reduce stress
- Reduce indoor air pollution
How can a fan ioniser help?
As with most things, the best source of naturally occurring health boosters is to experience them in their natural form. However, if you’re unable to get to the beach every day and electric storms are few and far between, then a device that can create negative ions in your atmosphere at home could be the next best thing.
Devices that incorporate ionisers, such as fans and air purifiers, work by generating a flow of negative ions that charge and bind together airborne particulate matter, which then clumps and precipitates out of the air. According to Nutrition Review;
Consumer devices that utilize negative ion-generating technology have been shown to eliminate airborne pollutants, dust, cigarette smoke, pet dander, pollen, mould spores, viruses, and bacteria from the air. Negative ions have long been attributed to improvements in mood and physical health. Research supports the view that negative ions have a net positive effect on health, including improved mood, stabilized catecholamine regulation and circadian rhythm, enhanced recovery from physical exertion and protection from positive ion-related stress and exhaustion disorders.[ii]
It is thought that Himalayan salt lamps also emit negative ions and this is the basis for their wellbeing claims.
Some also believe that negative ions can also be helpful in reducing serotonin levels, to help manage anxiety, lowing blood pressure and improve your breathing, although there remains insufficient evidence to back this up at this time.
The impact of negative ions will vary for different people; some may experience a real lift in mood and state of mind, others may just feel that the air seems fresher and lighter. Either way, these benefits come in addition to the cooling power you bought the fan for in the first place!
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