How to Put More Oxygen in Drinking Water for Better Taste and Freshness

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

Fact: Cold, fast-flowing water contains significantly more dissolved oxygen than stagnant water from a tap, which can affect its taste and overall quality. While the health benefits of commercially oxygenated water are largely debunked, increasing the oxygen content in your drinking water at home is a simple process that can noticeably improve its taste and freshness.

Quick Summary

This guide details simple and effective methods for increasing dissolved oxygen in drinking water, focusing on improving taste and quality through aeration and temperature control. It covers various techniques, from manual agitation to using household devices. The article also clarifies the science behind water oxygenation and addresses popular misconceptions about its health benefits.

Key Points

Easy Agitation: Pouring water from a height or shaking it in a bottle are free, simple ways to increase dissolved oxygen.
The Colder, The Better: Cooling your water, either in the fridge or with ice, increases its capacity to hold dissolved oxygen, improving freshness.
Devices for Efficiency: For continuous aeration, small aquarium air pumps or specialized water aerators provide a steady stream of bubbles for maximum oxygen transfer.
Taste is the Primary Benefit: While marketing claims are often misleading, the main advantage of oxygenating your water is an improved, fresher taste and reduced 'flatness.'
Health Claims Debunked: The human body absorbs oxygen through the lungs, not the digestive tract; most health benefits linked to drinking oxygenated water are unsupported by scientific evidence.
Oxygen Dissipates Quickly: Similar to a soda, the extra dissolved oxygen in water will escape into the atmosphere over time, especially after the container is opened.

Understanding Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to the amount of gaseous oxygen ($O_2$) mixed into water, not the oxygen atom that is part of the water molecule ($H_2O$). For living organisms in aquatic ecosystems, dissolved oxygen is vital, but for drinking water, it primarily impacts taste and odor. The solubility of gases in water is heavily influenced by two primary factors: temperature and pressure. Cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm water, and exposing water to air at normal atmospheric pressure allows it to absorb oxygen until it reaches saturation. This is why stagnant water or water that has been sitting in a pipe for a while can have lower DO levels and taste 'flat.'

Simple DIY Methods for Oxygenating Your Water

Enhancing the oxygen content of your drinking water doesn't require expensive equipment. The following simple techniques can be performed at home with everyday items:

Pouring Water from a Height: This is one of the easiest and most effective methods. By pouring water from one glass to another, or from a pitcher into a glass from a height, you increase the water's surface area exposure to the air, allowing more oxygen to be absorbed.
Shaking Water in a Bottle: Fill a reusable bottle about three-quarters full, seal it tightly, and shake it vigorously for 30 seconds. The air trapped in the bottle will mix with the water, increasing its dissolved oxygen content. This is a great on-the-go method.
Chilling the Water: Since cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen, simply chilling your water in the refrigerator will increase its capacity to retain oxygen. For an instant boost, adding a few ice cubes will rapidly increase oxygen levels, as the colder temperature causes more gas to dissolve. Ensure the ice cubes are made from quality water to avoid contamination.
Using a Blender: For a high-speed aeration solution, pour your water into a blender and blend on a high setting for 15-20 seconds. This rapidly agitates the water, forcing a significant amount of air into it and creating a high level of dissolved oxygen.
Utilizing an Aquarium Air Pump: While slightly more involved, a small aquarium air pump and air stone can provide continuous and efficient aeration. Simply place the air stone in your water pitcher and run the pump for a few minutes. This creates a fine stream of bubbles, maximizing surface contact and oxygen transfer.

The Role of Water Aerators and Devices

For those seeking a more permanent or automated solution, a variety of devices can effectively add oxygen to drinking water.

Faucet Aerators: The small mesh screens on the end of most faucets are aerators by design. They work by mixing air into the water stream, making the flow softer and reducing splashing. While their primary purpose is water conservation, they also add a small amount of oxygen. If your aerator is old or dirty, replacing it can improve water quality and flow.
Electric Water Aerators: Similar to the aquarium pump method, electric aerators designed for drinking water are available. These devices often use a pump to push a stream of air bubbles through the water, offering a controlled and efficient method of oxygenation.
Packed Tower Aeration: This industrial-scale method, also used for private well systems, passes water down through a column packed with media while forcing air up from the bottom. This provides maximum gas exchange. This isn't a practical home method for a single glass of water but is used in some specialized home water treatment systems.

Comparison of Oxygenation Methods


Method	Effectiveness	Speed	Cost	Effort Level	Best For
Pouring	Low to Moderate	Immediate	Free	Very Low	Quick, single-glass improvements.
Shaking	Moderate	Immediate	Free	Low	On-the-go or small batches.
Chilling	High (for retention)	Long-term	Low (refrigerator)	Very Low	Long-term storage of fresh-tasting water.
Blender	High	Very Fast	Low (if you own one)	Moderate	Large batches, maximum efficiency.
Aquarium Pump	High (continuous)	Medium	Low to Moderate	Moderate	Consistent, high-volume oxygenation.
Faucet Aerator	Low (incidental)	Immediate	Low	Very Low	Continuous, small oxygen boost with every use.
Electric Aerator	High	Medium to Fast	High	Low	Automated, consistent oxygenation.

The Truth About Health Claims

While marketing for commercially 'oxygenated water' often touts benefits for energy, athletic performance, and detoxification, the scientific community is largely skeptical. Our bodies are designed to absorb oxygen through our lungs via respiration, not our stomachs through ingestion. The amount of dissolved oxygen our stomach can absorb is miniscule compared to what we take in with a single breath. As McGill University's Office for Science and Society points out, claiming you need to drink more oxygen is 'gobbledigook'. Furthermore, the amount of extra oxygen that remains in the water is limited by temperature and pressure, and it quickly dissipates once a container is opened, like a carbonated drink.

Ultimately, the primary, proven benefit of increasing dissolved oxygen in drinking water is the improvement of taste and odor, making it a more pleasant drinking experience.

Conclusion

Putting more oxygen in drinking water is a straightforward process that offers a noticeable improvement in taste and freshness. Whether you choose a simple method like pouring or shaking, or opt for a more consistent approach with an aeration device, you can easily enhance your everyday hydration. Remember that the benefits are primarily sensory, and the extravagant health claims associated with bottled oxygenated water are not backed by solid science. Enjoy your fresher, crisper-tasting water.

Visit the EPA's website for more information on dissolved oxygen and water quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, shaking water in a bottle does add oxygen. The agitation increases the surface area contact between the air trapped in the bottle and the water, allowing more oxygen to dissolve into the liquid.

While it can improve taste, the health benefits promoted by some companies are largely unsupported by science. The human body gets oxygen through the lungs, and the amount absorbed through the digestive system from drinking is negligible.

Using a blender is one of the fastest methods. Blending water on high speed for about 20 seconds creates intense agitation that rapidly forces air into the water, maximizing dissolved oxygen.

Like carbonated drinks, oxygenated water will begin to lose its dissolved oxygen content as soon as it is exposed to normal atmospheric pressure. It's best to consume it relatively quickly, especially after opening a container.

One reason cold water often tastes better is that it holds more dissolved oxygen than warmer water. This gives it a fresher, crisper taste. Conversely, warm, stagnant water holds less dissolved oxygen and can taste flat.

Yes, a small aquarium air pump and an air stone can be used as an effective home method for oxygenating drinking water. Ensure the equipment is clean and used exclusively for this purpose to avoid contamination.

Boiling water removes dissolved oxygen. The high temperature reduces the solubility of gases, causing the oxygen to escape into the atmosphere. This is why boiled water can taste flat until it cools down and re-absorbs oxygen.