Can You Add Salt to Distilled Water to Make It Drinkable?

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

While distilled water is one of the purest forms of water, it completely lacks essential minerals and electrolytes. This lack can give it a flat taste and, over time, lead to potential health issues if consumed exclusively. The question is, can you add salt to distilled water to make it drinkable and restore its nutritional value?

Quick Summary

Adding a small amount of unrefined salt like Himalayan pink salt to distilled water can restore lost electrolytes and minerals, making it palatable and safer for regular consumption. However, adding too much salt, especially regular table salt, is not an effective or healthy method for remineralizing water due to potential high sodium intake and other issues. Other safe remineralization methods include using mineral drops or alkalizing water filters.

Key Points

Distilled water is demineralized: The distillation process removes all beneficial minerals and electrolytes, leaving it a "blank slate".
Adding salt can re-mineralize: A tiny pinch of unrefined salt or mineral drops can reintroduce lost minerals and make it more palatable.
Avoid excessive table salt: Using large amounts of regular table salt is not an effective solution and can lead to excessive sodium intake.
Safe alternatives exist: Better options for remineralizing include using trace mineral drops, pink Himalayan salt, or an alkaline water filter.
Exclusive consumption can be risky: Drinking only distilled water long-term without replacing minerals can lead to deficiencies, fatigue, and electrolyte imbalances.
Balance is key: For most people, a balanced diet provides sufficient minerals, so adding minerals to distilled water simply improves its taste and hydration potential.

Understanding Distilled Water and Why It Lacks Minerals

Distilled water is produced by boiling water and then condensing the steam back into a liquid state. This process is highly effective at removing impurities, contaminants, and pathogens. However, a major side effect is that it also removes all the naturally occurring dissolved minerals and electrolytes, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Drinking this "demineralized" water exclusively over a long period can pose health concerns because the body relies on these minerals for proper hydration and function.

The Role of Minerals in Hydration

Minerals and electrolytes are crucial for numerous bodily functions. For example, sodium and potassium are essential for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Magnesium is vital for bone health and energy production, and its deficiency can lead to fatigue and muscle cramps. By drinking water that lacks these elements, your body's natural balance can be disrupted.

Is Adding Plain Table Salt the Solution?

Adding a pinch of regular table salt (sodium chloride) to distilled water is often not the ideal solution. While it adds back sodium, it does not reintroduce the other essential trace minerals that were lost during distillation. In fact, relying heavily on this method could lead to an excessive sodium intake without replenishing other crucial nutrients. Furthermore, excessive sodium consumption is associated with high blood pressure and other health issues.

The Case for Unrefined Salts and Other Mineral Supplements

For those who want to re-mineralize their distilled water, a better approach is to use unrefined salts or mineral supplements that provide a broader spectrum of minerals.

Common Remineralization Options

Pink Himalayan Salt: This unrefined salt contains trace minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium in addition to sodium. A tiny pinch is sufficient to improve taste and add back some minerals.
Celtic Sea Salt: Another unrefined option, Celtic salt is harvested from the sea and is a natural source of minerals.
Mineral Drops: Concentrated mineral drops, available in health food stores, offer a simple and effective way to add a full spectrum of trace minerals back into water.
Alkalizing Water Filters: These filters can be used to reintroduce beneficial minerals and raise the pH of the water, making it more alkaline.

Comparison of Remineralization Methods


Method	Pros	Cons
Plain Table Salt	Readily available and inexpensive.	Adds only sodium; does not replenish other essential minerals. High sodium risk with overuse.
Pink Himalayan Salt	Contains a wider range of trace minerals. Inexpensive in small quantities.	Less precise mineral balance than supplements. Trace mineral content can vary.
Mineral Drops	Provides a controlled and balanced mix of trace minerals. Portable and easy to use.	Can have a strong, slightly salty taste. Initial cost is higher than salt.
Alkalizing Filter Pitcher	Adds minerals and raises pH. Convenient for long-term use.	Can be costly upfront. Effectiveness varies between brands.
Mineral-Rich Foods	Natural and balanced source of minerals.	Doesn't directly remineralize the water itself.

Risks of Drinking Poorly Remineralized Distilled Water

While short-term consumption of distilled water is generally safe for healthy individuals, prolonged or exclusive intake of demineralized water can lead to several health risks.

Mineral Deficiency: The most direct risk is a deficiency in essential minerals like magnesium and calcium, which can manifest as fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps.
Electrolyte Imbalance: This can be particularly dangerous for athletes or those who sweat heavily, as it can impair nerve and muscle function.
"Aggressive" Water: Demineralized water is described as "aggressive" because it actively pulls minerals from anything it contacts, including your body's tissues. Over time, this could theoretically draw minerals from teeth and bones, though a balanced diet typically prevents this.
Reduced Water Consumption: Many people find the flat taste of distilled water unappealing, which can lead to reduced fluid intake and potential dehydration.

How to Safely Remineralize Your Distilled Water

Follow these steps to safely and effectively prepare distilled water for drinking:

Start with High-Quality Distilled Water: Ensure your water is from a reputable source or a reliable home distillation system.
Choose Your Mineral Source: Decide between a high-quality unrefined salt (like Himalayan or Celtic), commercial mineral drops, or an alkalizing filter.
Measure Carefully: If using salt, add only a small pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon per gallon). Too much salt will not only taste unpleasant but can lead to excessive sodium intake. For mineral drops, follow the manufacturer's specific instructions.
Stir and Dissolve: Stir the salt or drops thoroughly until completely dissolved.
Test the Taste: A properly remineralized water should no longer taste flat. If it tastes salty, you've added too much.

Conclusion

While you can add salt to distilled water to make it drinkable, the type and amount of salt matter significantly. Adding a small, controlled amount of unrefined salt or a commercial mineral supplement is the safest and most effective way to restore essential electrolytes. This process improves the water's taste and prevents the health risks associated with long-term consumption of demineralized water. Simply adding a heavy dose of plain table salt, however, is not a recommended solution due to the risk of high sodium intake and unbalanced mineral content. Remember, a balanced diet is also essential for maintaining your body's overall mineral levels.

For more detailed information on water quality and health, consult authoritative sources like the World Health Organization (WHO) and healthcare professionals.

Authoritative Source

World Health Organization - Nutrients in Drinking Water (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

While adding a tiny pinch is not inherently dangerous, adding plain table salt is not the recommended way to remineralize water. It mainly adds sodium and lacks other essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are crucial for the body.

It is better to use unrefined salts like pink Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt, which contain a broader range of trace minerals. These provide a more balanced mineral profile than simple table salt.

Only a very small amount is needed. For most purposes, a pinch (around 1/8 of a teaspoon) of unrefined salt per gallon of water is sufficient. Adding too much will make the water taste salty and increase your sodium intake unnecessarily.

Besides unrefined salt, you can use commercially available trace mineral drops, or invest in an alkalizing water filter pitcher to reintroduce a balanced mineral content to the water.

No. While it helps, the majority of your mineral intake should still come from a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. Remineralized water is a supplement, not a complete mineral source.

Distilled water tastes flat because the distillation process removes all dissolved minerals. Our taste buds are used to the flavor profile provided by these minerals, and their absence results in a noticeably bland or "flat" taste.

Yes, if consumed exclusively over a long period, drinking demineralized water can lead to mineral deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances. This can cause fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps.