How to Remineralize RO Water with Himalayan Salt? Find Out Here!
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Apr 28, 2023
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One suggested method of remineralizing reverse osmosis water is adding salt.
Not just any old salt, but specifically Himalayan salt.
Unlike table salt, this particular salt contains around 84 trace minerals and is considered a lower-sodium healthier-salt alternative.
Sounds great, theoretically, but how can it be used to remineralize water? Let’s find out.
Contents
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Key Takeaways
- To remineralize reverse osmosis water with Himalayan salt, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon to a gallon of water. Or sprinkle just a tiny pinch into your glass before drinking.
How to Remineralize RO Water with Himalayan Salt?
So, how to remineralize RO water with Himalayan salt?
You can safely add a small amount of Himalayan salt to RO water and stir to dissolve – that’s all!
How Much Himalayan Salt to Add to RO Water?
How much Himalayan salt to add to RO water?
Most sources suggest around one-quarter to one-half a teaspoon per gallon of reverse osmosis water. Make sure to get the ground form of the salt and not the rock form, as that would be much more difficult and time-consuming to dissolve!
The longer it sits, the better it will dissolve, so best to prepare a gallon of RO water in a container and add the salt so that you have it on hand.
Do not under any circumstances use table salt, as this does not contain enough trace minerals and is simply just high in sodium, which can cause health issues if consumed in excess.
That being said, there is some controversy using Himalayan salt for remineralizing reverse osmosis water, with some sources saying that despite its impressive nutritional profile, the tiny amount of essential minerals in said salt would mean that you would have to add a lot of it to garner any nutritional benefit, in fact over 30 grams per day before any clinically significant contribution to nutrient intake would be made. Considering we should not eat even more than 5 grams of salt and 2 grams of sodium daily, 30 grams is excessive.
Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt naturally contains minerals such as chloride, sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and it also has lower levels of sodium when compared to regular table salt. It is made from rock crystals found in the Himalayan Mountains and is generally more expensive than ordinary salt.
While the jury is still out on whether it adequately can remineralize water, it certainly can add some flavor to your RO water that may have been lost during filtration.
Where to Buy Himalayan Salt
Years ago, Himalayan salt used to be a specialty ingredient found in some health stores, but now it is much more widely available and can be found in many supermarkets or online.
So check your local grocery stores, delicatessen, or simply buy on Amazon.
Other Ways to Remineralize Reverse Osmosis Water
If you don’t want to use Himalayan salt in your reverse osmosis water to remineralize it, there are other ways it can be done effectively.
Remineralization Filter Stage
Remineralizing reverse osmosis water can be done by adding an extra filter to your system (a remineralization post-filter). This is effective on most under-the-sink and whole-house RO models but cannot be done for countertop models that don’t allow customization.
The remineralizer comes after the RO membrane and before the water comes out of the faucet. Basically, the purified RO water flows through a bed of minerals and gets enriched.
Remineralization filters usually use a blend of calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.
Mineral Drops
Another effective remineralization method is adding mineral drops into your RO water before drinking it. These drops are usually formulated to not contain too much sodium and have decent amounts of the other essential minerals you may be missing from your water, though the composition will likely vary from brand to brand. When using mineral drops, it is essential to follow the dose instructions.
Some of the main ingredients in a serving size of ½ teaspoon of the trace minerals brand include:
- 250 mg magnesium
- 650 mg chloride
- 5 mg sodium
- 3 mg potassium
Alkaline Filter Pitchers
An alkaline filter pitcher is a simple device that runs water through a couple of filtration steps to add minerals back in. They will also adjust the water pH level due to the addition of the minerals.
This is much like a remineralization filter stage as mentioned above, only that you manually fill the RO water into the pitcher and let it run through before consumption.
The Pros & Cons of Remineralizing RO Water with Himalayan Salt
Pros:
- It is cost-effective, and the product is readily available
- Does not require any specialized equipment purchases or installations
- Easy to do yourself at home
Cons:
- It may not be effective in small doses
- May increase the intake of dietary sodium
- It may not dissolve well
- Have to remember to prepare the solution in advance
- You have to add the Himalayan salt manually each time
Why Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Minerals?
Reverse osmosis uses pressure to force water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane that excludes things based on size. This process strips away large and small molecules, including calcium, potassium, chlorine, nitrates, and other minerals. Due to a pore size of 0.0001 microns, pretty much every impurity is being removed from the water.
The result is purer water with fewer chemical contaminants but also fewer minerals, as it is a non-discriminatory process and cannot tell if something in the water is good for you or bad for you.
Naturally Occurring Minerals in Drinking Water
The minerals that can be naturally found in water supplies include:
- Chlorine
- Phosphorus
- Molybdenum
- Fluorine
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Ferrous iron
- Copper
- Zinc
- Manganese
- Iodine
- Selenium
- Iodothyronine
- Selenocysteine
- Boron
- Chromium
- Nickel
- Silicon
- Vanadium
Calcium
Calcium is responsible for the growth and proper functioning of teeth and bones in the human body, as well as the transmission of nerve signaling and muscle contraction.
Further Reading:
Magnesium
Magnesium plays a part in hundreds of chemical reactions in our bodies, particularly in the nervous system. Unfortunately, magnesium is quickly depleted by everyday activities and diet, so we need a constant supply of it.
Sodium
Too much sodium can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Still, sodium is an essential mineral in our diet, and ingesting too little of it can result in exhaustion, muscle cramps, headaches, and more.
Potassium
Potassium regulates the balance of water in the body. It also provides for healthy muscle functioning.
If you have any questions about adding Himalayan salt to reverse osmosis water please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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