Is There Any Bottled Water Without Sodium? Brands and Facts

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

While sodium is found naturally in most water sources from the earth's crust, the levels differ dramatically. This variation leads many to question: is there any bottled water without sodium? The answer lies in how the water is purified, with processes like distillation and reverse osmosis capable of removing nearly all minerals, including sodium.

Quick Summary

Find out which bottled water brands, specifically distilled and reverse osmosis purified types, contain little to no sodium. This guide details how to identify low-sodium options and discusses common misconceptions about water and mineral content.

Key Points

Distilled and RO Water: These purification methods effectively remove sodium, making them the primary options for zero-sodium bottled water.
Read the Label: The nutritional panel is the most reliable source for checking a brand's sodium content and confirming purification methods.
Low vs. Zero Sodium: Many bottled waters are simply 'low sodium' (under 20 mg/L), whereas truly pure options are specifically distilled or use reverse osmosis.
Consider a Filter: A home reverse osmosis system is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to get low-sodium water from your tap.
Health Conditions: Zero or low-sodium water is most relevant for individuals with specific health concerns, such as high blood pressure or kidney issues.
Minerals Are Important: For the general population, some mineral content in water is beneficial and not a health risk, with electrolytes primarily coming from food.
Taste Difference: Purified or distilled water may have a different taste profile than mineral-rich water due to the absence of minerals.

The Science of Sodium in Water

Sodium is a common mineral present in nearly all water supplies, both natural and municipal. It originates from the natural erosion of rock and soil, and its concentration can be further influenced by factors like water treatment chemicals, water softeners, and contamination from sources like road salt. The key distinction in bottled water is the source and the treatment process. Natural mineral waters, like Vichy Catalan or Gerolsteiner, source their water directly from mineral springs and therefore have naturally high or low mineral content, including sodium. Purified waters, on the other hand, start with a source like municipal tap water and undergo rigorous treatment to strip out most minerals and contaminants.

How Water Purification Creates Zero-Sodium Options

To achieve a near-zero sodium level, bottled water manufacturers use advanced purification methods. The two most common and effective are:

Distillation: This process involves boiling water and then collecting the condensed steam, which leaves all mineral solids, including sodium, behind. The resulting water is exceptionally pure but can have a flat taste due to the lack of minerals.
Reverse Osmosis (RO): Water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. This membrane effectively filters out ions, molecules, and larger particles, leaving behind purified, low-mineral water. Many popular brands use RO as a key part of their purification process.

Finding Bottled Water Without Sodium

Identifying a truly sodium-free bottled water requires attention to the label. Look for the terms 'distilled' or 'purified by reverse osmosis'. While some waters are labeled 'low sodium' (defined by EU standards as having less than 20 mg/L), only distilled or RO-purified water can reliably offer a near-zero sodium content.

Brands Offering Low or Zero-Sodium Options

Here are some examples of bottled water brands that offer very low or near-zero sodium options due to their purification methods:

Masafi Zero: Specifically marketed as a zero-sodium bottled water, this brand targets consumers with specific dietary needs.
Oasis Zero: Another brand explicitly offering a zero-sodium purified water option.
Jeema Zero: A sodium-free water brand available in certain markets.
Aquafina: This water undergoes a purification process that includes reverse osmosis, making it very low in sodium.
Dasani: Like Aquafina, Dasani uses reverse osmosis for purification, resulting in very low sodium levels.
Nestlé Pure Life: While levels can vary by source, the purified versions are treated to have low mineral content.
smartwater: This vapor-distilled water is essentially sodium-free.

Comparison Table: Sodium Content in Common Bottled Waters


Brand	Type of Water	Processing Method	Typical Sodium Content (mg/L)	Suitability for Low-Sodium Diets
Aquafina	Purified	Reverse Osmosis	Very Low (~3)	Excellent
Dasani	Purified	Reverse Osmosis	Very Low (~3)	Excellent
smartwater	Purified	Distillation	Very Low (~5)	Excellent
Masafi Zero	Purified	Specialized	Zero	Excellent
Oasis Zero	Purified	Specialized	Zero	Excellent
Evian	Natural Mineral	None	5	Good (Naturally Low)
Fiji	Natural Artesian	None	18	Fair
Perrier	Sparkling Mineral	None	11	Fair
San Pellegrino	Sparkling Mineral	None	33	Fair
Gerolsteiner	Natural Mineral	None	118	High Sodium

Important Health Considerations

While zero-sodium water exists, it's not a universal health necessity. For healthy individuals, the sodium found in most tap and bottled waters is not a concern, and essential electrolytes are primarily obtained from a balanced diet. Seeking out zero-sodium water is most relevant for those on a sodium-restricted diet, typically recommended by a doctor for conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart failure. For these individuals, consistently choosing low or zero-sodium water helps manage overall intake. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding specific dietary needs. It is also important to remember that for most people, the taste of purified water can be different due to the lack of mineral content.

Other Hydration and Low-Sodium Options

If you prefer to avoid bottled water for environmental or cost reasons, a home reverse osmosis system can provide a reliable source of purified, low-sodium water directly from your tap. These systems can remove 90-99% of contaminants, including sodium, and are an affordable, eco-friendly alternative. Another option is to choose naturally low-sodium mineral waters, which can provide a different taste profile while still meeting dietary restrictions. For those concerned about their tap water, it's always possible to get it tested by a certified lab to confirm the sodium levels.

Conclusion

In summary, finding bottled water without sodium is possible by choosing brands that employ purification methods like distillation or reverse osmosis. Brands explicitly labeled 'Zero Sodium' are also available in some markets, targeting health-conscious consumers. For those with medical conditions requiring strict sodium control, these options are a practical choice. However, for the average person, the trace amounts of sodium in most drinking water are not a health concern, and a balanced diet provides necessary minerals. By checking labels, understanding purification methods, and considering home filtration systems, you can confidently choose the best hydration option for your needs.

How a Home Reverse Osmosis System Works

For those interested in an alternative to buying bottled water, a home reverse osmosis (RO) system is a compelling option. The process involves several stages to ensure high-purity water:

Pre-Filtration: First, the water passes through a sediment filter to remove larger particles like dirt and rust, and a carbon filter to remove chlorine and other contaminants that can damage the RO membrane.
RO Membrane: This is the heart of the system. A thin, semipermeable membrane blocks contaminants, dissolved solids, and ions, including sodium. The filtered water passes through, while the rejected substances are flushed away.
Post-Filtration: After passing through the membrane, the water typically goes through a final carbon filter to polish the taste and remove any remaining odors.

This multi-stage process ensures a clean, fresh-tasting, and nearly sodium-free water source directly in your kitchen, making it a sustainable and cost-effective choice. Learn more about reverse osmosis purification systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all bottled water is sodium-free. Sodium is naturally present in many water sources, especially natural mineral waters. Only purified types, like those processed by distillation or reverse osmosis, are reliably low or free of sodium.

Brands that use purification methods like distillation or reverse osmosis generally have very low sodium levels. Examples include Aquafina, Dasani, Nestlé Pure Life (purified), and smartwater. Some brands, like Masafi, even market specific 'Zero Sodium' products.

Mineral water's composition, including sodium, is naturally occurring and depends on its spring source. The sodium levels can vary widely. Purified water, however, is treated to remove most minerals and contaminants, resulting in a consistently low or non-existent sodium content.

For most healthy people, drinking water with moderate sodium is not a problem. However, for individuals on a sodium-restricted diet due to health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney issues, it is important to monitor and limit water with higher sodium levels.

Tap water typically contains some level of sodium. The only way to achieve near-zero sodium water from your tap is by installing a home filtration system that uses reverse osmosis or distillation.

You can determine the exact sodium level in your tap water by having it tested by a certified laboratory. Many water providers also publish annual water quality reports.

Yes, water softeners that use ion exchange to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium replace them with sodium ions, which can significantly increase the sodium concentration in your tap water.

Yes, for most people, drinking distilled water is safe. Since it is free of minerals, it is not an ideal primary source of minerals, but our dietary intake typically provides more than enough. For those on a restricted diet, it can be a useful tool.