Although reverse osmosis water filtration ensures that drinking water is safe to consume, it also has drawbacks, as it strips the water of essential minerals adding negatively impacting taste. However, it’s been discovered that there are several ways to counter the lack of minerals. Water Re-mineralization – adding necessary nutrients and minerals back to RO water. So as to suit your taste buds, below are several techniques that explains, how to add minerals to RO water i.e. RO water re-mineralization.
How to add minerals to RO water?
Methods to Add Minerals to RO Water | Adding minerals back to RO water​
1. Mineral Drops
Mineral drops are an easy and effective way to re-mineralize reverse osmosis water. The liquid supplements are usually created from a composition of a number of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium or other similar elements. When it comes to using mineral drops:
- Dosage: It is important to always follow the instructions provided on the bottles in order to avoid overuse.
- Mixing: Use drops with an RO water solution and then stir. It is important to note that the mixture can be used depending on preference of taste and amount of minerals present in the mixture.
2. Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is said to be able to add back more than 80 trace minerals and can be considered as a practical option to remineralize water:
- Usage: Take a glass of reverse osmosis and add a pinch of Himalayan salt to it. Adding Himalayan salt should not only help restore minerals but also provide additional taste to the water.
- Warning: It is advisable to limit your intake of sodium as consuming a lot of it can lead you to developing health issues.
3. Remineralization Filters
One more useful technique is to install a remineralization filter with your RO unit:
- Installation: These filters do have mechanisms that allow them to dispense minerals as filtered water passes through the filter.
- Benefits: They are able to put back magnesium, calcium, and potassium into the water so that it will be pure and healthy at the same time.
4. Mineral Stones or Cartridges
The required minerals can be added to RO water naturally, using mineral stones or cartridges:
- Mineral Stones: These should be placed in a container containing RO water for a number of hours as they slowly disperse trace minerals into the RO water.
- Cartridges: These are fairly similar to the stones in their composition but instead of placing them in water, they can be attached to your existing RO system and dispenses minerals during the filtration process.
5. Fruit and Vegetable Infusions
An easy way to add mineral content to RO water is the infusion of fruits or vegetables into it:
- Examples: For example, lemons and limes are tropical fruits that are rich in potassium and calcium. You just need to cut them and soak them in RO water for some hours.
- Other Options: Flavoring and nutrients can also be enhanced by incorporating herbs such as mint or basil.
6. Alkaline Water Pitchers
Alkaline pitchers are used to increase Ph levels. Their primary intention however is to remineralise RO water:
- Functionality: The pitchers contain mineral balls or cartridges which add a little quantity of beneficial minerals during the filtration process.
- Limitations: They might be able to increase micro mineral content but will not be able to fully compensate for the mineral loss caused during the RO process.
7. Calcium-Rich Additives
Due to the high levels of calcium found in powdered foods and eggs, their addition could enhance the level of nutrients:
- Preparation: Make sure eggshells are clean and ground into fine powder before adding them to RO water.
- Filtration Required: Once infused, the water has to be filtrated again to get rid of particulate matter.
Benefits of Re-mineralizing RO Water
In RO water, the benefits of having added minerals are numerous:
- Water with Better Taste: The absence of minerals in water can lead to a flat taste in it. Therefore, minerals should be added to water.
- Better Body Performance: Every human body contains essential parts such as Magnesium and Calcium. All of which are integral to how the body operates, from enzyme reactions to how muscles behave.
- Proper Nutrition Absorption: Water that is rich in minerals has many other benefits such as improving the overall health of the digestive system.
- Hydration: Hydration from mineralized water would be much more effective than the use of plain RO water due to the electrolytes.
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To conclude, remineralization of water from reverse osmosis is very crucial for the health aspects of water and for making the water taste better. Using one or more of these methods, you can make your drinking water free from germs and rich in nutrition.
How to add minerals to RO water naturally​?
There are some natural ways of remineralizing reverse osmosis water. Let’s discuss some of the ways below.
Natural methods to remineralize RO water
1. Infusion of Edible Flowers, Fruits and Herbs
This reinfusion can be completed by adding fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, or even cucumber slices. Furthermore, adding mint or basil may help in increasing the remineralization of the water. All you need to do is chop the ingredients, mix them in the water and let them infuse for a couple of hours. Or even better leave them overnight.
2. Use Mineral Stones
Placing stones into osmosis water allows for the gradual infusion of trace minerals. By placing stones into a safe container, one can gradually allow osmosis water to take in the minerals, making it more viable to drink as time goes on.
3. Add Himalayan Salt
Diving deeper in to remineralization, Himalayan salt works quite well. Some people find water with Himalayan salt quite enjoyable. A small dose of dissolving salt in water, provides minerals to one’s body without giving that very salty flavor.
4. Squeeze Fresh Lemon Juice
This would work as a flavour enhancer. Squeezing half a lemon in osmosis water would dilute magnesium and potassium in water. It quite literally works as a good flavouring agent, making water more enjoyable to drink.
5. Utilize Coconut Water
Coconut water can be used as a source of different electrolytes and minerals such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium. For those that prefer to enhance the mineral level of RO water, pure coconut water can be mixed with it along with adding a nice delicious taste to it.
6. Add Seaweed or Kelp
It is known that Seaweed and kelp are a rich source of various minerals and elements such as iodine, calcium, and magnesium. You can take seaweed or kelp, both of which are dried, and soak them for several hours in RO water such that the minerals dissolve in the water. However, before consuming the water make sure to filter the seaweed first.
7. Adding Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are said to be a good source of nutrition and also rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus which is greatly beneficial to the body. Chia seeds when soaked in RO water do tend to soak up some minerals and release them into the water. Along with the water, the seeds can be consumed as well for added nutritional benefits.
8. Include Herbal Teas that are High in Minerals
One of the good options of adding minerals to your RO water is to brew herbal teas especially from mineral loaded plants such as nettle or dandelion. Other than that, you can also brew the tea and then dilute it with more RO water in order to create a nice beverage.
9. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda can be added in little quantity in order to increase the alkalinity and mineral content of RO water. A pinch of this can provide sodium and bicarbonate ions that may assist in pH balance.
10. Make Use of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
Epsom salt on the other hand is a natural source of magnesium together with sulfate. For every 2 liters of RO water that you have, you can put in a little amount of Epsom salt in order to increase the mineral content. On the flip side, don’t add too much otherwise it will become salty.
Employing these more natural options, the re-mineralisation of your RO water will not only be possible but effective in taste and overall nutrition. Try different combinations of methods to see what works best for you.
What are the health risks of long-term RO water consumption?
The osmosis of reverse reality is a concept that is still extremely new to us, however, it has a couple of pros with few cons. Here are the drawbacks of osmosis reverse water:
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1. Deficiency in Minerals
Low levels of potassium, calcium, and magnesium are found in the water that has gone through reverse osmosis. Therefore, over an extended period of time this would lead to these specific shortages hence leading to muscle cramps, fatigue, and strain in the cardiovascular system.
2. Hypertension
It has been proven by research that water which has low levels of minerals such as the RO, increases the chances of someone developing hypertension. Deficiency of potassium and magnesium are both very essential for proper blood pressure balance or regulation.
3. Risks Related to Bone Health
Since calcium is greatly helpful and responsible to increase bone density, its absence is likely to have adverse repercussions on bone structure increasing the chances of fractures occurring. The chances of osteoporosis will also increase when it comes to children or old age.
4. Stomach Related Issues
When reverse osmosis water is consumed, it has the chance of increasing the number of gastroesophagal disorders while also building onto acid reflux, for instance, elevated acidity levels along with deterioration of the lining in the stomach.
5. Difficulty Absorbing Nutrients
The absence of minerals in food increases fatigue levels as well as immune systems making it difficult for a person to absorb nutrients from the reverse osmosis water that was consumed.
6. Increased Tolerance To Metals
Additional concern is created when there is a low tolerance to metals due to high copper content and minerals present in drains or environment, as it leads to the development of other health concerns.
To manage these risks, patients who depend on RO water may want to think about remineralization or iron intake via diet or supplements. Giver of such advice may be a health care professional specialist, providing a customized solution on the basis of personal health aspects.
Risks associated with adding minerals to RO water
The act of adding minerals back to reverse osmosis (RO) water can be risky and can lead to many factors. Here are some key points regarding the risks associated with this practice:
Risks in Reintroduction of Minerals to RO Water
1. Incomplete Mineral Replacement
Although addition of minerals helps in the remineralization of RO water, neglecting the fact that it may be sufficient to bring water to the desired state, adding minerals may not restore the previously existing or natural levels of mineral content found in the untreated water. In the view of the World Health Organization (WHO), adding minerals can never be a substitute for drinking water as it is more in perspective as water has intricate elements and beneficial characteristics in myriad of sources.
2. Always the danger of Excessive Consumption
If an individual is using mineral supplements or drops and minerals supplements are used excessively, increasing the chances of having an overdose of a specific mineral that will cause toxicity or imbalances. Due to ample amounts of calcium there are chances of kidney failures, whereas an overabundance of magnesium may ruin the digestion system of a person.
3. Adverse Effects of Staying without Essential Minerals for Longer Duration
In the long term, ingesting demineralized RO water without adequate remineralization is likely to result in health complications including muscle cramp, fatigue and cardiovascular diseases due to mineral deficiencies. However, remineralizing the water does not ensure that these deficiencies will be sufficiently remedied if the added minerals are insufficient or unbalanced.
4. Altered Taste and Preference
RO water tastes different when a group of minerals containing specific elements are added which might not go well with a lot of people. This may discourage people from consuming water if majority of them dislike the taste which may in turn lead to affect the hydration levels of every individual.
5. Impact on Cooking and Food Preparation
RO water is great when distilled or purified, but when cooking without adequate remineralization, it tends to leach out nutrients in food. Severe nutrient loss in vegetables and other foods due to use of demineralized water can be a matter of concern according to studies. Therefore, giving back glimpse of some elemental minerals in water might not be sufficient as compensatory equal amount of nutrient content lost in the cooking process.
If the RO water is devoid of some essential minerals, adding them back might lessen the deficiency, but it should be done with consummate care. It is vital to have a balanced intake of the minerals added through the diet as well as the diet itself to maintain good health. Periodic assessments and dialogues with health professionals can contain the threats posed by the remineralized RO water.
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Conclusion
It has been emphasized that remineralization of reverse osmosis water is essential because after the RO purification process all the essential minerals are removed from water which in turn makes it tasteless and unhealthy for consumption. There are several options available to augment the mineral content of your drinking water including mineral drops, Himalayan salt, remineralization filters, lemon juice, mineral stones, alkaline pitchers and many natural ways to add minerals in your drinkable water source.
Each option comes with its own benefits, giving you a chance to select what suits you best. Thus, it may be assured that use of these methods will ensure that the RO water remains safe as well as healthy and pleasant to drink.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I add Himalayan salt to my RO water?
When reconstituting RO water for minerals, incorporating Himalayan salt can be done daily, adding one pinch per glass of water. This helps retain a regular intake of minerals without compromising the aesthetic, taste-wise, of the water. However, individual preferences and allowed sodium intake can change how many times salt is added.
Are there any health risks associated with adding too many minerals to RO water?
One thing to thing about is how while the intake of minerals is important for one’s health, excessive intake of these can lead to adverse effects. Salt which has too much sodium is dangerous since it increases chances of heart diseases, retain too much water, elevates blood pressure and so on. It is also very important to keep track of these individuals’ sodium intake throughout the day to steer clear of health risks and complications.
Can I use other types of salt besides Himalayan salt for remineralizing RO water?
Some other salts for reconstitution include sea salt, kosher salt, and Epsom salt; other than Himalayan salt. Each type contains different mineral profiles; for example, sea salt typically has trace minerals like magnesium and potassium. However, it’s essential to choose unrefined salts to maximize mineral content.
How does RO water affect the body’s electrolyte balance?
As a result of its low mineral content, RO water has the potential to disrupt the electrolyte ratio in the body. This is particularly relevant in the case of the extended use of deionized water which could result in potentially having a deficit in calcium and magnesium which are crucial for electrolyte equilibrium and overall wellness. Therefore, it is desirable to reconstitute RO water in order to ensure sufficient supply of those essential elements.
How does RO water impact skin health?
RO or reverse osmosis water is quite sought after because of its supposed purity which can enhance skin quality by less irritation from tap water. Removing heavy chemicals such as chlorine means even more hydration which can treat skin diseases like eczema and dryness, therefore beneficial for people with sensitive skin types.
Can adding Himalayan salt to RO water help with hydration?
It has been spoken about how adding Himalayan salt to RO water can increase hydration levels because the minerals help in moisture retention within the body. However, it is critical to note that moderation is important as too much sodium can be harmful. The Himalayan salt consist of minerals that can aid liquid retention but should be monitored with the amount of sodium consumed in the day to day diet.
How does RO water impact cardiovascular health?
When we talk about the heart, RO water is a good option as it does not contain harmful metals such as lead or chlorine. But The RO process does remove minerals that may be good for the body in the long term and if there is no alternate diet structure or medicines to contain the problem, there is a risk of getting cardiovascular complications in the future.
How does the electrolyte balance in RO water compare to tap water?
In terms of balance between electrolytes RO water is more pure but at the same time less effective in the sense that it contains lower mineral quantities than tap water which can consist of important electrolytes such as calcium and magnesium. This is important since if you rely on RO water without its remineralisation then it can lead to imbalance within the body due to insufficient electrolytes consumption.
