Such claims can create confusion in the minds of some consumers and are worth discussing. In the field of plant physiology it is a well known fact that minerals enter the plant roots in ionic form. From there the mineral is carried upward in its ionic state across critical membranes until the mineral is delivered to those leaves and other plant parts requiring them. This is essential to any plants ability to survive and grow normally. Examples of important cations in the body include magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and hydrogen.
Important anions are bicarbonate, chloride, and phosphate.
Substances that form ions are called electrolytes . Calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonates, potassium, sodium, and hydrogen are all examples of electrolytes . From the examples above, it is clear that maintaining a balance of cations and anions in the body is essential to our health. For example, the acidity of the blood is dependent on the level of hydrogen cations. To prevent the blood from becoming too acidic, hydrogen cations are neutralized by bicarbonate anions.