Does RO Water Strip Minerals From Your Body?

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while reverse osmosis (RO) is an effective purification method, the long-term consumption of demineralized water may carry some health risks due to the lack of minerals. This has led many to question: does RO water strip minerals from your body? The reality is more complex than this common health concern suggests.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies how reverse osmosis removes minerals but does not actively strip them from your body. It discusses the health implications of drinking demineralized water and simple remineralization methods to ensure a balanced intake.

Key Points

RO doesn't strip minerals: The idea that RO water actively leaches minerals from your body is a myth; your body has robust mechanisms to regulate its mineral balance.
RO removes beneficial minerals: While it removes contaminants, the RO process also removes most of the naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water.
Risk of long-term deficiency: Exclusive, long-term consumption of demineralized water, especially with a poor diet, could contribute to a mineral deficiency, as you lose a supplementary source of these nutrients.
Food is the primary source: The vast majority of minerals the body needs come from a balanced diet, not drinking water.
Remineralization is easy: You can add minerals back to your RO water using in-line filters, mineral drops, or electrolyte powders to address concerns about mineral content.
WHO raises concerns: The World Health Organization notes potential health risks associated with drinking water low in minerals, reinforcing the importance of proper remineralization.

Understanding How Reverse Osmosis Works

Reverse osmosis is a water purification technology that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. Water is forced through this membrane under pressure, and as water molecules pass through, up to 99% of dissolved solids, including minerals like calcium and magnesium, are left behind and flushed away in a concentrated waste stream. The process is highly effective at removing harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria, and pesticides, resulting in exceptionally pure water.

Does RO Water Actively Strip Minerals?

The common fear that drinking demineralized RO water will actively 'strip' or 'leach' minerals from your body is a misconception. The body's mineral and electrolyte balance is tightly regulated by the kidneys and other systems, not by the minor fluctuations in mineral intake from drinking water. The claim that RO water pulls minerals out of your bones and cells is scientifically unfounded. For most healthy individuals, dietary intake from food and supplements is sufficient to compensate for the minerals lost in the water filtration process. The World Health Organization's concern is not that RO water actively strips minerals, but that a useful supplemental source of certain minerals is being removed from the daily diet.

The Nuances of Demineralized Water

Research has identified several potential health issues linked to drinking demineralized water over long periods, though it's important to note these are largely associated with a lack of minerals, not the active stripping of them.

Potential Health Implications

Nutrient Contribution: Water is a non-negligible source of calcium and magnesium, and some studies have shown a link between drinking soft, demineralized water and a potential for an increased risk of cardiovascular disease over time.
Loss in Cooking: Using demineralized water for cooking can cause a significant loss of essential minerals from food, sometimes over 60% for calcium and magnesium. This is because the pure water aggressively draws minerals out of the food during the cooking process.
Acidity: Because minerals act as buffers, their removal leaves RO water slightly acidic. While the body can easily regulate this, it can contribute to the corrosion of plumbing, potentially increasing the intake of toxic metals if pipes are older.
Poor Taste and Hydration: The lack of minerals gives RO water a flat taste, which can lead to reduced water consumption in some individuals. The mineral content also affects thirst-quenching properties.
Mineral Deficiencies: In cases where a person has a poor diet or high mineral needs, relying exclusively on demineralized water could, over the long term, contribute to a mineral deficiency.

Remineralizing RO Water

Fortunately, it is simple to address the low mineral content of RO water. Modern RO systems can be equipped with a remineralization stage, or minerals can be added manually. The World Health Organization even suggests minimum levels for remineralized drinking water.

Methods for Remineralization

In-line remineralization filter: These filters are installed as a final stage in an RO system, adding back beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium as the water passes through.
Mineral drops: Concentrated liquid mineral supplements can be added to a glass or pitcher of RO water.
Electrolyte powders: Blends of electrolyte and mineral powders can be mixed into the water for a customized mineral content.
Adding salts: A small pinch of mineral-rich salts, such as Himalayan pink salt, can be added to remineralize the water, though this must be done sparingly.

RO Water vs. Tap Water: A Comparison


Feature	RO Water (Demineralized)	Tap Water (Unfiltered)
Purity	Removes up to 99.9% of contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.	Purity varies widely by location. May contain regulated levels of contaminants.
Mineral Content	Very low, often near zero, as beneficial minerals are also filtered out.	Mineral content depends on the water source and is typically higher, though it can vary greatly.
Taste	Can taste flat due to the absence of minerals.	Taste is influenced by mineral and chemical content; some find it more palatable.
Remineralization	Can be easily remineralized with add-on filters or drops.	Does not require remineralization, but purity is not as high.
Cost	Higher initial and maintenance costs for the system.	Lower cost per gallon; costs are part of municipal water service.
Hydration	Effectively hydrates, but minerals are not replaced via water.	Effectively hydrates, with the added benefit of providing some minerals.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Drinking RO water does not actively strip minerals from your body. The human body is efficient at maintaining its balance, with the majority of minerals coming from food. However, RO systems remove beneficial minerals from water, and relying exclusively on demineralized water over time, especially with a poor diet, could potentially contribute to mineral deficiencies. Remineralizing the water is an easy solution.

World Health Organization information on health risks of demineralized water

Frequently Asked Questions

RO water itself does not directly cause mineral deficiency in individuals with a healthy, balanced diet because most essential minerals come from food. However, since RO removes naturally occurring minerals from water, long-term exclusive consumption could contribute to a deficiency, especially if dietary intake is insufficient.

No, drinking RO water does not cause dehydration. The body's hydration depends on the water itself, not the mineral content. RO water is perfectly capable of hydrating the body, and the minerals needed for electrolyte balance are primarily sourced from a balanced diet.

While not strictly necessary for everyone, remineralization is recommended to ensure your water has a balanced mineral profile, which improves its taste and nutritional value. The World Health Organization also highlights that water can be a valuable supplementary source of certain minerals.

You can add minerals back into RO water in several ways: installing an in-line remineralization filter on your RO system, adding liquid trace mineral drops to your water, or mixing in a pinch of mineral-rich salt like Himalayan pink salt.

Yes, many people find that RO water tastes flat. This is because the process removes the minerals and total dissolved solids (TDS) that give water its characteristic flavor.

RO water is slightly acidic because the minerals that buffer its pH have been removed. While your body can easily regulate this minor change, the water's lower pH can make it corrosive to plumbing over time.

From an environmental perspective, producing your own RO water is far better than buying bottled water, which contributes significantly to plastic waste. Many bottled water brands also use reverse osmosis as part of their purification process.