Reverse osmosis systems are one of our most popular water purification systems for good reason. They are cost-effective and easy to install and maintain. If you conduct additional research on the systems, you may come across articles and posts expressing concern about the lack of minerals in reverse osmosis purified water. They may reference the need to “remineralize” the water.
But wait, wasn’t installing the system enough? Do you really need to do additional steps to make the water even healthier?
We all know the Internet can be a confusing place. So we’d like to take this chance to give our expert opinion on reverse osmosis remineralization and help you make an informed decision about your home’s water. Let’s go!
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Reverse osmosis water purification systems use pressure to push contaminated or undesirable tap water through semipermeable membranes, removing contaminants and impurities. The result is clear, clean, fresh water flowing from your tap. Reverse osmosis systems remove minerals like arsenic, copper, and lead. They also remove sodium, calcium, and magnesium, which are essential minerals for a healthy lifestyle.
Is Reverse Osmosis Water Bad for My Health?
The short answer is no! While it may sound bad to strip away the “good” minerals in your tap water via reverse osmosis, it’s important to remember that the best source of key vitamins and minerals is a healthy and varied diet. Water is essential to health because it helps your body better absorb the nutrients already present in your food, not because it supplies those nutrients. While the presence of calcium and magnesium in drinking water may offer a minimal benefit to a small portion of the population, it makes up a meager percentage of a person’s daily recommended intake of these minerals.
So, if you’re considering purchasing remineralization drops or a remineralization filter to improve your health outcomes, rest assured that you can achieve the same effects by focusing on eating leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and other vitamin-rich foods.
Does Reverse Osmosis Water Taste Bad?
Since reverse osmosis water has been filtered, some homeowners report a flat or dull taste. This is not the case for everyone and depends largely on your individual tastes and preferences.
While untreated tap water can often taste “off” because of unwanted contaminants, naturally occurring minerals can enhance the taste of your water. That’s why bottled spring water is a popular choice for consumers and has a signature “crisp” taste. It’s up to an individual consumer to decide if the benefits of enhanced reverse osmosis filtration outweigh a potentially dull taste. Wolverine Water does offer reverse osmosis systems with alkaline filtration for homeowners who are concerned about taste or mineral presence.
An Important Reminder Regarding Calcium and Magnesium
While these minerals are good for the body, they are bad for your home. Calcium and magnesium are the two minerals that, when present in excess, cause crusty build-up on your faucets, fixtures, and appliances. Rest assured that if you’ve chosen to remove them from your home’s water via reverse osmosis or another water purification solution, you’ve done a good thing for your home and your body!
Still Have Questions?
We know water purification can be confusing. If you’re wondering if something is just hype, reach out to our expert water purification team. We’d be happy to help!
