Are you concerned about the mineral content of reverse osmosis water? With our straightforward step-by-step instruction, you can learn how to remineralize water and replenish it with healthy calcium and magnesium.
Table Of Contents
−- Remineralization of reverse osmosis water
- Reasons you may want to remineralize RO water.
- Problems with drinking demineralized water
- What happens to the water when Reverse Osmosis Is used?
- What minerals does Reverse Osmosis remove?
- Where do minerals come from
- The minerals that go missing
- The advantages of including minerals in Reverse Osmosis water
- Is this the end of reverse osmosis water?
- How to remineralize RO water
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Remineralization of reverse osmosis water
Reverse osmosis systems remove practically all dangerous elements from water, resulting in a filtered result devoid of pollutants such as chlorine and lead.
However, reverse osmosis technology is so efficient that it removes all the good stuff from the water. By saying goodbye to hazardous compounds, you are also purifying the water of beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Should you keep drinking RO water? Is it necessary to remineralize the water before drinking it? We take a closer look at reverse osmosis water and answer these and other questions.
Reasons you may want to remineralize RO water.
- Many diets are terribly mineral deficient; in these circumstances, water can compensate for the mineral deficiency from food.
- Pure water cannot be kept pure for long since it must dissolve some environmental carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide is dissolved, it becomes somewhat acidic, and the pH decreases. Therefore, adding minerals to water raises the pH if you want to drink alkaline water.
- If you dislike the taste of pure water, remineralization can help to restore some of the familiar flavors.
Problems with drinking demineralized water
While health experts are divided on the effects of drinking demineralized water, there is some concern about long-term ramifications.
The World Health Organization has identified many potential health consequences of drinking water depleted of all minerals.
They include gut mucous membrane damage and a detrimental impact on numerous biological systems due to a lack of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
When demineralized water is used in cooking, it might diminish the mineral content already present in food, reducing your overall mineral intake.
There’s also the matter of acidity to consider. Demineralized water is slightly acidic because it lacks mineral ions, which are the primary contributors to water’s alkalinity.
Drinking acidic water is typically less healthy than drinking alkaline or pH-balanced water.
Even if you are not concerned about the potential health repercussions of drinking demineralized water, the flavor may turn you off, mainly if you are accustomed to drinking tap water or bottled mineral water.
The lack of minerals imparts a bland, unpleasant taste to the water.
So, should you quit drinking RO water altogether?
Most definitely not. You may have peace of mind while drinking safe RO purified water and getting your daily dose of necessary minerals.
Disclaimer:
The effects of consuming demineralized water are still being studied. However, you will not be deficient if you drink mineral-free RO water. Many health experts agree that as long as you consume a well-balanced diet, you should be able to receive all of your essential minerals through food.
Drinking demineralized water, however, may pose additional hazards to some people, such as those with certain health issues. As usual, see your doctor if you have any concerns about drinking demineralized water or manually adding minerals back into the water.
What happens to the water when Reverse Osmosis Is used?
You’ve probably heard of reverse osmosis, but do you know what it is and what the result is?
Here’s a basic rundown of the procedure.
The membrane and filters in a RO filtering system collect the water before it is poured. It’s filtration at its most fundamental, although on a small scale.
The RO membrane allows water to pass through and into your glass but rejects anything larger than its 0.0001-micron hole size.
To put that into perspective, 1 micron equals around 0.00004 inches, while human hair is approximately 75 microns wide (source).
The semipermeable membrane captures and retains germs and pollutants in the water while preventing salt and other minerals. This indicates that reverse osmosis water lacks the minerals found in tap water.
Reverse osmosis can save lives in locations where the water contains harmful impurities and is unsuitable for drinking. Is it, however, doing more harm than good as a popular health accessory in the Western world?
Next, don’t miss out on our fantastic guide to the best whole-home RO systems on the market.
What minerals does Reverse Osmosis remove?
Because reverse osmosis systems can remove more than 99.9% of all total dissolved solids (TDS) from water, it’s no surprise that beneficial minerals are eliminated during the process.
Our drinking water contains mineral particles such as calcium and magnesium, which we require for strong, healthy bones and teeth and to control blood pressure, muscles, and nerve function.
Low quantities of salt, potassium, and phosphorus are also present in tap water and are required for cardiac support, fluid balance, and influencing the growth, repair, and maintenance of cells throughout the body.
Reverse osmosis removes all of these critical minerals.
Where do minerals come from
Humans do not obtain the bulk of their minerals from the water they drink; food is the primary source for the vast majority.
With this in mind, does it make a difference if minerals are removed from our drinking water?
Yes, if you trust the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO has issued a paper outlining its concerns about the hazards of reverse osmosis water and why it is a problem.
According to a study, drinking demineralized water, such as that obtained by reverse osmosis, will take minerals from our food. This is then excreted from the body via urination, limiting the quantity accessible for absorption.
The process occurs when demineralized water is used for cooking, such as boiling vegetables. To compensate for the lack of essential minerals, they are leached out of the vegetables and into the water.
Demineralized water removes many minerals, up to 60-70 percent of the total. This leaves relatively little available for the body, which is why the WHO has said reverse osmosis water “has a definite deleterious effect on the animal and human organism.”
The minerals that go missing
Reverse osmosis originated in military applications when it was employed to establish a drinkable water source in the presence of contamination. However, this crucial application arose as a more commercial one, with homeowners utilizing reverse osmosis devices to produce purer water.
Minerals collected from water include the following:
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, accounting for around 2% of total body weight.
Calcium is found in teeth and bones but also plays a vital role in many body processes, including vascular and muscular contraction, blood clotting, enzyme and hormone control, and message transmission between nerves and the brain.
Because calcium is involved in practically every activity in the human body, a deficiency can have catastrophic consequences. For example, a calcium deficit can produce convulsions, potentially fatal heart rhythms, and weakened bones, leading to fractures and osteoporosis.
Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential mineral for good health and well-being. It is vital in developing healthy bones and involves over 300 metabolic events.
A typical human body has about 25g of magnesium, 60 percent in bones and the rest in soft tissues.
Magnesium levels in the body are difficult to assess because most of it is found in the bones. On the other hand, a deficiency might have serious consequences such as weakness, nausea, and weariness.
Continued insufficiency could result in numbness, cramping, convulsions, personality changes, and cardiac rhythm disruption.
Mineral traces
Although calcium and magnesium are the most common minerals extracted by reverse osmosis, several other minerals are also filtered out.
Fluoride, copper, chromium, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc, and molybdenum iodine are trace minerals.
The advantages of including minerals in Reverse Osmosis water
The following advantages come from remineralizing reverse osmosis water:
Gives water flavor
Many individuals find reverse osmosis to have a “flat” and disagreeable flavor. However, alkaline water with re-added minerals tastes much better, so you’re likelier to go for a glass of water instead of juice or soda.
Hydration is encouraged
If you believe demineralized drinking water will make you less inclined to stay hydrated because you dislike the flavor, think again. There are clear health benefits to remineralization. Because of the lower pH level, RO water tastes flat and dull. If you remineralize your water, it will have a higher pH level, and you will be more likely to drink it.
Vital to human health
As I previously stated, humans do not rely on trace minerals in our drinking water to exist. Tap water, on the other hand, can provide up to 20% of our daily suggested requirements for minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Therefore, consider a remineralization filter if remineralized drinking water would provide you with the peace of mind you require.
Is this the end of reverse osmosis water?
Is it safe to drink filtered water if minerals play a vital part in the body and reverse osmosis removes these elements?
No, it is not required.
Although minerals in water are good for health, avoiding pollutants, bacteria, and contaminants is also very useful.
The solution is not to avoid reverse osmosis but to supplement the water with minerals. This entails remineralizing RO water so you can enjoy the benefits of contaminant-free water while also getting the critical minerals your body needs.
If you’re wondering how to remineralize water, there are a few choices to explore. Reverse osmosis remineralization is not as complicated as it may appear, but you must obtain appropriate supplies first.
Continue reading to learn how to make alkaline water with Himalayan salt. Following are some options for adding minerals to the water.
How to remineralize RO water
1. Pink Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is an excellent, simple, and cost-effective way to remineralize your reverse osmosis water. Add Himalayan or rock salt to each gallon of filtered water to restore the minerals.
Make sure you don’t use ordinary salt because it won’t work.
Himalayan sea salt includes all 84 trace minerals but is inexpensive to purchase. You won’t have to worry about a salty flavor in your water if you get fine salt.
You can add a tiny pinch to each glass of water or a quarter teaspoon to each gallon of water.
Himalayan salt will not alter the flavor of water, but its mineral content will restore all of the minerals in the water.
Using this method not only helps you remineralize water but also offers additional advantages, such as:
- Relief from sinusitis
- Loss of weight
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Improved respiratory functions
2. Water mineral drops
Electrolyte blends (also known as trace mineral drops) are mineral compositions found in most supermarkets, including copper, selenium, iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. Mix the blends back into the water once it has passed through the RO filter.
This is also a straightforward option because you need a few drops in your water container.
If you and your family drink directly from the reverse osmosis faucet, you’ll need to remember to add a drop every time to remineralize.
Alternatively, you can start keeping a designated water jug and make it a rule to only drink water from it.
Blends will range in composition from one brand to the next, but they will suffice for any RO water.
If you want to know how to add minerals to water without putting in much effort, this is one of the simplest methods. You may quickly and easily remineralize any amount of water by adding a few mineral drops at any time.
Adding trace minerals in the form of drops is the most cost-effective approach to remineralizing your water. But, first, you must know where to hunt for these trace mineral drops, as some are unquestionably superior to others.
A bottle of mineral drops should be able to treat up to 200 liters of water and should cost less than $20.
Look for trace mineral drops from well-known producers who have invested decades of research into their goods, such as the Quinton Wellness drops.
- Remineralization on the go
- Enhances electrolyte balance
- Aids in the restoration of natural rehydration and equilibrium
- Increases the time it takes for cells to respond
- Increases the time it takes for the immune system to respond
- Improves brain and nerve system function
Depending on the product, you may have to add mineral drops to your glass of water before drinking, or you may be able to add minerals to a large quantity of water in a pitcher or container. A single order of mineral drops costs between $20 and $40 (depending on the brand) and can last for weeks, if not months.
3. Add green powder
This is another fantastic choice for remineralizing reverse osmosis water if you like plant minerals. Green powders or green blends are a combination of numerous fruits and vegetables that provide minerals, vitamins, and a variety of other nutrients.
You may use the powder in cuisine, smoothies, and tea and add it to your RO water.
Nested Naturals’ 8.5 oz. tin contains concentrates from over 30 fruits and vegetables. It is organically certified and non-GMO.
4. Buy an RO system with remineralization
If you add an extra filter to your system, you can remineralize reverse osmosis water at the source.
Most models can be upgraded with a pH-balancing or remineralization filter without replacing the entire system.
Some minerals are put back into the water after it has been filtered; the amount depends on various parameters such as flow rate, water temperature, and the water’s current pH level.
Although there is evidence that this can dramatically increase the pH of the water, the quantity of remineralization can vary greatly.
Allowing the reverse osmosis system to remineralize the water is the simplest approach to remineralize it.
RO systems are comprised of five stages: three pre-filters, a RO membrane, and a post-filter.
Some premium RO systems include an additional stage that includes a mineral filter. Unfortunately, the filter returns little amounts of healthful minerals to the water as it goes through.
The majority of RO systems with a remineralization filter return calcium. Others include calcium and magnesium, while others can have up to five beneficial minerals.
The mineral filter ensures that you are drinking delicious, healthy mineral water.
On the flip side, a RO system with a remineralization filter will cost a little more.
Furthermore, the filter may not meet all of your mineral requirements. For example, if the filter provides calcium, you may still need to add other critical minerals using one of the techniques described below.
Remember to replace the mineral filter after the manufacturer’s specified time frame (3-6 months for some systems, 6-12 months for others)
5. Add a remineralizing filter to your existing RO system
Don’t worry if you already purchased a RO system without a mineral filter; you may still add one.
Many RO systems include a remineralization filter as an option. Still, if yours does not, you can purchase a filter for easy installation at your main water line, right after your reverse osmosis unit. The advantage of a remineralization filter is that it creates alkaline water from your faucet, eliminating the need to add mineral drops as an afterthought.
The majority of remineralizing filters will add calcium to RO water. Some may additionally remineralize water with magnesium, and some go even farther, adding up to five different types of minerals back into your RO water.
The majority of remineralizing filters will add calcium to RO water. Some may additionally remineralize water with magnesium, and some go even farther, adding up to five different types of minerals back into your RO water.
Here’s an APEC mineral filter for APEC RO systems, an Express Water RO system mineral filter, and an iSpring RO mineral filter. It’s worth noting that most of these mineral filters are compatible with any typical under-sink RO system that uses 10″ inline filters. However, before you order, double-check the size of the fittings.
6. Add an alkalization stage to your RO system
It is simple to add if your filter does not have that stage. This stage resembles a filter attachment that contains all of the valuable minerals. You may also find reviews of some of the top RO Systems here.
When the water is filtered, it travels through this alkaline filter, which replenishes its minerals. The minerals in the water will dissolve as it goes through this filter, providing you with a healthy drinking experience.
It is advised by a reverse osmosis system that includes an alkalization stage.
7. Make use of an alkaline pitcher
You can also use a simple pitcher to boost the pH and bring minerals back in.
Various alkaline pitchers on the market provide a simple method for remineralizing RO water.
Alkaline water pitchers are another inexpensive alternative for adding minerals like calcium and magnesium to the water.
A filter cartridge in an alkaline water pitcher adds a measured amount of minerals back into a batch of water.
Because it is a pitcher, you will not receive quick remineralized water; instead, you will need to feed reverse osmosis water from your tap to the pitcher and wait a few minutes for filtration. On the other hand, water alkaline pitchers are more reasonably priced, ranging from $20 to $40 per pitcher.
An obvious advantage is that alkaline water filters do not need to be placed at your water line. In addition, alkaline filters are an excellent alternative for remineralizing your water with a filter that does not demand extra work (and may even violate the requirements of your rental contract).
These pitchers adjust the reverse osmosis water’s pH while remineralizing it. In addition, some designs include built-in clocks that count to the following filter change, which is a convenient feature.
I Recommend: Invigorated Water pH Restore Alkaline Water Pitcher
- 96 gallons remaining
- Increased immunity and energy levels are aided by a high negative Oxidization Reduction Potential (ORP).
- Selenium and calcium are added.
- Improved metabolism may be aided.
8. Alkaline water bottles
An alkaline water bottle is an excellent solution for remineralized reverse osmosis water on-the-go access.
Again, if you prefer to remineralize your water with an alkaline water bottle, there is nothing to set up. Instead, fill your bottle with RO water and carry it to work with you (or simply to another room in your house). The bottle features a filter that will raise the pH of the water while also adding minerals like calcium and magnesium to improve its taste.
You’d think these water bottles are on the ugly side of useful, but they’re rather beautiful to look at overall.
Alkaline water bottles are often priced comparable to pitchers, ranging from $30 to $50 for a single bottle and filter. Filters should be replaced every 6 weeks, depending on the manufacturer and the concentration of minerals added to your water.
Conclusion
Following the WHO report, reverse osmosis water has come under scrutiny. Yet, the truth remains that it is a valuable technique to obtain pure water free of chemicals and toxins.
These types of filters provide confidence to folks who are concerned about pharmaceutical residues reaching the water supply. However, the current issue regarding a lack of minerals should not be overlooked.
Because there are significant health benefits to avoiding unintended absorption of pollutants and chemicals, reverse osmosis water is still a viable alternative. In addition, it is possible to have the best of both worlds by re-mineralizing the water, enjoying the critical protection of the filter, and gaining access to the health advantages of minerals.
Once you know what to do, remineralizing reverse osmosis water is quite simple. The key is to ensure you only buy high-quality items to replenish the minerals you’ve lost; don’t be lured by low-quality products at the dollar shop.
Stick to high-quality Himalayan sea salt, correct electrolyte and mineral drops, or invest in a respected manufacturer’s filter or pitcher. By doing so, you can continue to enjoy wonderful clean water with every conceivable health advantage.
FAQs
Can you Remineralize reverse osmosis water?
In addition, if you add an extra filter to your system, you can remineralize reverse osmosis water at the source.
How do RO systems remove minerals?
While a standard filtered water solution will not have holes small enough to remove minerals from your drinking water, RO membranes feature tiny pores of around 0.0001 microns that can trap even the smallest impurities – including minerals.
How can these membranes avoid becoming blocked so quickly? First, because there are many filter stages before the water reaches the RO membrane – often a pre-filter and an activated carbon filter with a higher micron rating meant to remove bigger particles that could quickly clog the membrane’s pores.
Furthermore, due to the high-pressure operation of a reverse osmosis system, contaminants such as minerals are likely to bounce back after striking the membrane. As a result, they will be drained away along with some wastewater in the RO chamber.
Why bother with reverse osmosis if I’m adding minerals to RO water?
On the other hand, if you insist on removing the widest possible range of impurities from water, only a RO system may be able to deliver. Then, if you still wish to profit from these minerals, you’ll need to remineralize RO water.
How else can I drink my minerals?
First, mix mineral-rich green powder or green blends into your filtered water for a morning pick-me-up. You don’t need to add the powder to every glass of water you drink; one serving per day should suffice.
You may also construct a juice or smoothie using fruits and vegetables naturally high in beneficial minerals to drink in the morning or evening. Again, you’ll get more minerals than if you drank remineralized RO water.
Jay
Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."
