How to Remineralize RO Water

Reverse osmosis is extremely effective at removing impurities but that also includes minerals. Discover the best ways to remineralize your RO water.

By: Maggie Irish

Many people are drawn to reverse osmosis (RO) water filters because they are known to be the most effective at removing harmful contaminants. In fact, reverse osmosis is so effective at removing impurities, that healthy minerals are often stripped out during the filtration process as well.

This can be a concern for some, but don’t let this deter you from considering an RO water filter. There are plenty of ways to easily remineralize your RO water, which we’ll cover below.

What is RO water?

RO water is filtered water that has gone through reverse osmosis filtration. It’s made by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane with a pore size of around 0.0001 microns, which allows water molecules to pass through while contaminants are left behind. By removing contaminants, reverse osmosis can make tap water much safer for your health.

Some of the many contaminants RO systems can help remove include:

Lead, arsenic, and fluoride
Bacteria, viruses, and cysts
Pesticides and herbicides
Chlorine and chloramine
Microplastics, PFOA/PFOS, VOCs
Sediment

What minerals are removed during the reverse osmosis process?

As mentioned, reverse osmosis systems are so effective at removing contaminants from water, that they also typically remove minerals that you can benefit from. Some of the minerals in water that are removed during the RO process include:

Zinc
Copper
Iodine
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Iron
Sodium

Minerals get stripped out because they are larger than water molecules and can’t pass through the semi-permeable membrane. The good news is there are a few ways you can restore the healthy minerals to RO water.

Best ways to remineralize reverse osmosis water

Remineralization can improve the taste of water, make it more alkaline, and add essential minerals back for health benefits. There are a few ways you can remineralize your RO water:

Reverse osmosis with remineralization

Using a reverse osmosis system that includes a remineralization cartridge is the most convenient way to ensure all of the essential minerals removed are added back. A remineralizer adds the minerals back after the reverse osmosis filtration process is complete without any extra effort required on your part. But not every reverse osmosis system comes with one.

If you already have an RO system, you can check and see if you can purchase an add-on. If you haven’t purchased an RO system, make sure to look for one with a built-in remineralizer, like Aquasana’s SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis system. This remineralizer readily adds healthy minerals back into your drinking water before it gets to your glass. The cartridge must be replaced every six months to ensure healthier water at the turn of a faucet.

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Mineral drops

A simple way to add minerals to water is by using mineral drops. Mineral drops are typically a concentration of trace minerals that come in a small bottle. Depending on the brand, dosages can vary, including what minerals are concentrated.

For every glass of water you consume, you’ll need to add in a few drops of the concentrated minerals. Mineral drops can cost anywhere from $20-$50 a month, depending on how often and how many people are using them. That being said, if more than one or two people are using them, you may find the cost of replenishing to add up quickly, and doing this every time you use water can be inconvenient.

Himalayan salt

Adding Himalayan salt to reverse osmosis water is another way you can remineralize it. Unprocessed Himalayan sea salt specifically has over 80 different minerals and trace elements. It’s easy to dissolve and can have a mild taste, though some people may not like having to add salt or having any salty taste (even minor) in their water.

Another concern is the amount of salt you’d need to add to get any mineral benefits. According to a research study, you’d need to add more than 30g of salt to make any meaningful contribution to nutrient intake. This amount is far in excess of health guidelines, which suggest people consume 5g or fewer of salt per day.

Alkaline pitcher

Alkaline pitchers are another option to remineralize and raise the pH level of your water. Alkaline pitchers typically use mineral balls or cartridges that are attached to your filtration system to add back minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. However, the exact minerals and amount all depend on the brand of the pitcher and filtration system.

Although alkaline pitchers can help mineralize water in general, they may be unsuitable for remineralizing reverse osmosis water. Minerals are added back, but it might not be enough to compensate for what’s lost during the RO process. The main goal of an Alkaline pitcher is to increase the pH of the water. As with any pitcher, they also require frequent replacements and manual refills, which can be inconvenient.

Benefits of adding minerals to reverse osmosis water

Adding minerals to reverse osmosis water is crucial to improve your water’s quality and lead a healthier life. Here are some of the health benefits of remineralization:

Optimal body function: Minerals such as magnesium are responsible for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, while sodium is required for your muscles and nerves to function properly. It also helps with remineralization of your teeth and bones.
Improved taste: Minerals are responsible for the taste and mouthfeel of your water, so adding them back in will certainly improve the flavor.
Maintain healthy blood pressure: A 2019 study discovered people who drink mildly saline water exert lower blood pressure, potentially because of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are known to help regulate blood pressure.
Healthy digestion: Water with high mineral content has been shown to support your digestive system by increasing bowel movements and bile production, as well as an improved ability to extract nutrients from food.
Improved hydration: Electrolytes present in mineralized water help quench thirst better and quicker than regular water, keeping you hydrated.

Experience healthier drinking water without the compromise with Aquasana

The best way to remineralize RO water is to use an RO system with a built-in remineralizer. Restoring minerals goes beyond the water you drink to your cooking water and cleaning water, including what you brew your coffee or tea with.

Our SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis system automatically restores beneficial minerals and removes up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants such as fluoride, arsenic, chlorine, and lead for healthier, better-tasting water right from your tap. Experience the difference and try Aquasana’s SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis system.

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