The Short Answer
You generally should remineralize reverse osmosis (RO) and distilled water. While drinking demineralized water won't kill you, it is far from optimal for long-term health.
RO systems are incredibly effective, removing up to 99% of dissolved solids. The problem is they don't discriminate between lead and calcium. The result is water that is slightly acidic, tastes "flat," and is chemically "aggressive"—meaning it wants to bond with minerals, potentially stripping them from your food when you cook. Adding minerals back improves taste, balances pH, and ensures you aren't losing nutrients when you boil your broccoli.
Why This Matters
It’s not just about what you miss; it’s about what you lose.
Most critics say remineralization is a scam because "you get your minerals from food." They are half-right but miss the bigger picture. While water only contributes 10–20% of your daily mineral intake, demineralized water behaves differently than natural water.
Demineralized water is "aggressive."
Pure H2O is a hungry solvent. When you cook vegetables in demineralized water, the water pulls minerals out of the food to reach equilibrium. Studies show cooking in soft or distilled water can result in a 60% loss of magnesium and calcium from vegetables compared to cooking in mineral-rich water. Is Reverse Osmosis Water Missing Important Minerals
Taste drives hydration.
RO water typically has a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 (acidic) because it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, forming weak carbonic acid. This makes it taste flat or slightly sour. Remineralized water is neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–8.5) and has the "crisp" mouthfeel we associate with freshness. If your water tastes better, you drink more of it.
What's Actually Missing
When you strip water down to zero, you lose three key electrolytes that naturally occur in almost all water sources:
- Calcium — Critical for bone health and buffering acidity. Bioavailability of calcium from water is actually as high or higher than from dairy.
- Magnesium — Essential for over 300 enzyme systems. Many Americans are chronically deficient, so every bit counts.
- Trace Elements — Lithium, copper, zinc, and others found in natural springs. While needed in tiny amounts, they are often absent in modern processed diets. What Minerals Should Be In Drinking Water
How to Remineralize (Ranked)
You don't need expensive fancy gadgets. Here are the three most effective ways to put the good stuff back in.
1. The "Set It and Forget It" Method (Best for RO Owners)
If you have an under-sink RO system, the best move is installing a remineralization cartridge as the final stage.
- How it works: Water flows through crushed calcium carbonate (calcite) or magnesium oxide stones before hitting your faucet.
- Pros: Automatic, cheap (change once a year), improves taste instantly.
- Cons: Increases TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) reading, which confuses some people who think "0 TDS" is the goal. (It's not).
2. The Biohacker Method (Drops)
Liquid mineral drops are concentrated electrolytes sourced from mineral-rich lakes or seas.
- How it works: You add drops to your water bottle or pitcher manually.
- Pros: Precise control over dosage; full spectrum of trace minerals (not just Ca/Mg).
- Cons: Can taste "salty" if you overdo it; requires manual effort for every glass. What Are The Best Water Remineralization Drops
3. The "Pinch of Salt" Method (Cheapest)
Adding a tiny pinch of high-quality unrefined salt (like Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt) to your water.
- How it works: Dissolves trace minerals and sodium into the water.
- Pros: Extremely cheap; you likely already have it in your kitchen.
- Cons: Mostly adds sodium and chloride, with lower levels of magnesium/calcium than dedicated drops.
The Best Options
If you are buying a product, these are the ones that actually work and pass purity standards.
| Method | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drops | Trace Minerals ConcenTrace | ✅ | The industry standard. Proven sourcing from Great Salt Lake. |
| Drops | Aussie Trace Minerals | ✅ | Lower sodium, high magnesium content. Good for taste sensitivity. |
| Cartridge | Home Master Artesian | ✅ | uses natural artesian minerals rather than just calcite. |
| Salt | Celtic Sea Salt | ⚠️ | Good in a pinch, but lacks the magnesium punch of drops. |
| Drops | Standard Electrolyte Powders | 🚫 | Usually full of sugar/stevia. Great for workouts, bad for sipping all day. |
The Bottom Line
1. Don't drink "hungry" water. Pure RO water is safe occasionally, but for daily use, it should be balanced.
2. Remineralize for cooking. If you boil pasta or blanch veggies in distilled water, you are throwing nutrition down the drain.
3. Keep it simple. A remineralization filter is the easiest long-term fix. If you rent or use a pitcher, a bottle of Trace Minerals drops will last you months and solves the problem instantly.
FAQ
Does drinking RO water leach minerals from your body?
Technically yes, but slightly. While it won't crumble your bones overnight, "aggressive" demineralized water can increase the elimination of minerals through urine. The bigger concern is that it fails to replace the electrolytes you naturally lose, putting you in a net negative balance if your diet is poor.
Can I just add table salt to my water?
No. Table salt is refined sodium chloride (NaCl) and lacks the beneficial trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. You need unrefined salt (Celtic, Himalayan) or a dedicated mineral blend.
Why does my remineralized water taste different?
Minerals have a taste. Magnesium is slightly bitter; sodium is salty; calcium is chalky (in high amounts). A balanced mineral profile creates the "sweet" and "crisp" taste we associate with fresh spring water. If it tastes bad, you likely added too much.