Reverse osmosis water is considered the gold standard for homes and businesses across the United States. The precision filtration of RO gets down to 0.0001 micron filtration, leaving you with pure water that’s free of particulate matter and contaminants. But one thing some people are concerned about is the lack of minerals in RO water.
RO filtration works so well that it helps eliminate potentially harmful contaminants and key minerals, like calcium and magnesium, as well. But there are simple ways to remineralize RO water after it is filtered, so you can get the important minerals your body needs.
In this Article:
- What Is RO Water and Why Does It Need Remineralization?
- Methods to Remineralize RO Water
- Benefits of Drinking Remineralized RO Water
- Don’t Let Reverse Osmosis Remove Healthy Minerals From Your Cup
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is RO Water and Why Does It Need Remineralization?
RO water is some of the purest water homes and businesses can get. Understanding the science behind it and why remineralization is needed is key to helping you get the purest, healthiest water you can.
Understanding RO Water
Reverse osmosis water is an inverse of osmosis and means water is forced from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration using pressure. During the RO filtration process, the water passes through a membrane for additional purification. The membrane then separates out other contaminants so your drinking water is more purified and safer to drink.
However, during the filtration process, beneficial minerals like sodium and magnesium are removed as well, leaving water that is purified but lacking essentials for health and hydration. Over time, drinking RO water that has not been remineralized can lead to mineral depletion and cause potential health problems. That’s why it’s important to learn how reverse osmosis works and how you can remineralize your RO water after it is filtered.
Why Remineralization Is Important
Understanding the role remineralization plays in the health and safety of your water is the first step to hydrating safely with RO water.
Consumption of RO water has been linked to bone and teeth weakness, generalized mineral deficiency, kidney disorders, neurodegeneration, and pregnancy complications. It also puts people at risk for metabolic alkalosis, a condition that occurs when there is too much alkalinity in your blood—ultimately affecting your body’s pH level.
Critical minerals that the remineralization process puts back into your drinking water include:
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Selenium
Methods to Remineralize RO Water
There are plenty of ways to remineralize your drinking water. Here’s a brief summary of some of these methods:
Adding Mineral Drops
Mineral drops are an easy way to put essential minerals back into your water supply, and they can be purchased at most hardware stores or online outlets like Amazon. We recommend going with a brand that’s clear about how they manage impurities and quality control, as well as the water quality difference you can expect with each use.
Mineral Cartridges
Mineral cartridges are filters constructed with layers of mineral media and are installed in a pre-existing filter or water system. Mineral cartridges allow for ongoing remineralization and don’t require any ongoing monitoring or tinkering like mineral drops might. However, as the mineral content in the cartridge gets depleted, it will need to be replaced—so be sure to read and adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Mixing RO Water with Natural Spring Water
Depending on the nature of your situation, it may be most practical to remineralize RO water with, well, water. Spring water is naturally mineralized, so if you have some on hand, simply mix it with your RO water using a 1:1 ratio. (If you’d prefer a higher mineral content, you can use a 2:1 ratio of spring water to RO water.) Spring water also contains natural electrolytes, which support healthier (and tastier) hydration.
DIY Solutions
Plenty of people might choose to remineralize their RO water using at-home solutions that barely cost a cent—such as adding sea salt, trace mineral supplements, or baking soda to their water. While these methods are convenient and inexpensive, they aren’t the most reliable way to supplement your hydration source. Adding things like salt or baking soda to your RO water can lead to mineral gaps and may also cause issues with taste and absorption if your ratios aren’t calculated correctly. Filters and cartridges are best for precision work.
Here is a breakdown of these methods. For the cost per method, check with your Reverse Osmosis manufacturer.
| Method | Ease of Use | Pros | Cons |
| Mineral Drops | Easy | Simple to calculate and add into your supply | Miscalculation could lead to imbalance, altering the taste and bodily effects |
| Mineral Cartridges | Easy | Easy to install and incredibly reliable in dosing per quantity of water | Can be more expensive and may require more involved installation |
| Mixing RO Water with Natural Spring Water | Easy | Affordable means of remineralization for those in need | Certain locations may not have access to safe and clean natural spring water |
| DIY Solutions | Variable | Accessible to most | Could lead to ill effects if the products aren’t properly dosed |
| Using a Remineralization Filter | Moderate | Easy and consistent remineralization dosing throughout | Can be expensive and difficult to replace at the end of the unit’s lifespan |
Benefits of Drinking Remineralized RO Water
Remineralization is a fantastic investment in your total-body health. Here are just a few benefits of drinking remineralized RO water:
Improved Hydration
Every intake we have—whether it’s food or water—affects our cells and how they interact with the environment in our body. Remineralized water has been optimized for absorption and replenishment, giving the body trace minerals it needs. RO water also allows for the proper balance of sodium in each glass, putting the human body under less strain as the water metabolizes.
Essential Nutrient Uptake
Certain minerals are an essential part of a balanced diet. Calcium, sodium, and magnesium play vital roles in our cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems and also support healthier muscular function throughout the body. Without these minerals, we would experience cellular and muscular dysfunction, as well as other neurological and gastrointestinal issues. Remineralized water helps provide these essential elements in an accessible way.
Enhanced Taste
Sodium chloride (or salt) and other key mineral water elements are what make drinking water taste the way we’ve come to expect. If you were to drink a glass of water that hasn’t been mineralized, it might not be to your liking. Most of what we drink in the United States (whether it’s bottled water or tap water) has been optimized, mineralized, and purified so it’s more free of harmful contaminants, giving you the quality and taste that would be missing from RO water that hasn’t been remineralized.
Don’t Let Reverse Osmosis Remove Healthy Minerals From Your Cup!
Reverse osmosis gets you the purest water possible—but it’s not without shortcomings. To make RO water the best it can be, there is one additional step you need to take: remineralization. Luckily, there are many simple ways you can remineralize your RO water, which we’ve outlined here already. Ready to learn more about household water filtration systems and the reverse osmosis process?
Learn about Leaf Home Water Solutions’ Reverse Osmosis System
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drink reverse osmosis water without remineralization?
While reverse osmosis is purified and has a crisp, clean taste, remineralization can further enhance the taste and also add essential minerals such as magnesium, selenium, and sodium that your body needs to function properly.
How often should I remineralize RO water?
The frequency at which you should remineralize RO water depends on how frequently you’re running or using it and what type of system you’re using to mineralize. Always go by the manufacturer’s recommendations for whatever RO system you’re using.
What’s the difference between mineral drops and cartridges?
Mineral drops and cartridges are both effective means of remineralization. The primary difference between drops and cartridges is how they are housed. Drops are easy to add to the purified water after it has gone through reverse osmosis, while cartridges are part of a larger water treatment system.
