Remineralization involves reintroducing dissolved solids back into highly purified water, such as water treated by reverse osmosis (RO) or distillation. While these advanced filtration methods effectively remove contaminants, they also strip away beneficial minerals, leaving the water devoid of dissolved content. People remineralize to improve the water’s taste profile and to restore a small source of dietary minerals that support bodily functions. This process balances the purity of filtered water with enhanced sensory and potential nutritional qualities.
Why Purified Water Needs Minerals
Highly purified water is often described as having a “flat” or “empty” taste because it lacks the dissolved ions that contribute to flavor. These ions, primarily calcium and magnesium, give water a distinct and preferred taste profile. Water with moderate mineral content, like natural spring water, tends to have a smoother mouthfeel and a more refreshing taste, which encourages better hydration.
Beyond taste, removing calcium and magnesium eliminates a minor but consistent source of these minerals from the diet. Both are involved in hundreds of metabolic functions, including nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and energy production. Magnesium also supports cellular water uptake and maintains electrolyte balance, making it a co-factor in efficient hydration. While drinking water is not the sole source of these nutrients, restoring them contributes to overall mineral intake and helps balance the water’s naturally acidic pH following purification.
Commercial Products for Remineralization
For a straightforward approach to mineral replacement, commercial products offer two categories: liquid concentrates and inline filtration systems. Liquid mineral drops are highly concentrated solutions of trace minerals, often sourced from ancient sea beds or lakes, added directly to a glass or pitcher of purified water. These drops offer convenience and portability, allowing for precise dosage control based on personal taste or mineral goals. However, they require manual dosing for every glass and can become a significant ongoing expense for high-volume users.
The second category involves post-filtration cartridges, installed as the final stage of an RO or distillation system. These cartridges typically contain natural media like calcite (calcium carbonate) and magnesium oxide, which slowly dissolve into the water as it passes through. This method is the most convenient, as it treats all the water coming from the tap automatically and consistently for several months. While effective at raising the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and pH, the consistency of the re-added minerals can vary, making it important to select a reputable product.
Step-by-Step DIY Mineral Recipes
A cost-effective and customizable route involves creating your own solution using food-grade mineral salts. For those seeking a broad spectrum of trace minerals, unrefined salts like Himalayan pink salt provide a simple method. You can create a concentrated brine, often called “sole water,” by filling a small glass jar one-quarter full with pink salt and covering the rest with purified water. After letting the mixture sit for 24 hours until the salt stops dissolving, add one teaspoon of this concentrated solution to eight ounces of purified drinking water. This method is easy, affordable, and imparts a subtle mineral flavor, though it does not allow for precise control over major mineral concentrations.
Targeted Mineral Blends
For a more targeted and precise mineral blend, create a concentrate using individual food-grade mineral powders like calcium carbonate, magnesium chloride, or potassium bicarbonate. These compounds, responsible for water’s hardness and alkalinity, can be weighed and dissolved in a small volume of purified water to create a stock solution. For instance, a simple blend might combine measured amounts of food-grade magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in one liter of water to create a high-concentration liquid. This liquid concentrate is then added drop-by-drop or by the milliliter to a pitcher of purified water, allowing you to tailor the final mineral content to your exact preference. This approach requires careful measurement using a precise scale to ensure safety and consistency.
Testing and Safe Mineral Levels
Monitoring the mineral content of the final product is necessary for both safety and taste. The standard tool for this measurement is a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter, a small handheld device that measures the concentration of all dissolved substances in the water. The reading is expressed in parts per million (ppm), allowing you to quantify the effectiveness of remineralization efforts. For optimal taste and a healthy mineral balance, the TDS level is recommended to be between 50 and 150 ppm after remineralization. Using a TDS meter helps prevent over-mineralization, as exceeding the optimal range can negatively affect the flavor and potentially cause issues like mineral precipitation.