What is the Best Mineral Supplement to Add to RO Water?

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drinking water should contain minimum levels of essential minerals like calcium (at least 20 mg/L) and magnesium (at least 10 mg/L) to support overall health. The reverse osmosis (RO) filtration process, while excellent at removing contaminants, also strips water of these beneficial minerals, leading to water that many find bland or flat. For this reason, remineralizing RO water is a crucial step for many health-conscious consumers.

Quick Summary

This article examines the most effective methods for remineralizing reverse osmosis water. It compares inline filters, liquid mineral drops, and natural additives, evaluating them based on cost, convenience, and mineral content. The guide offers a detailed look at how to choose the optimal supplement for restoring lost nutrients.

Key Points

Inline Remineralization Filters: The most convenient and consistent method, providing automatically mineralized water with a simple, periodic filter change.
Liquid Mineral Drops: A flexible and portable option that offers precise dosage control, ideal for single users or on-the-go hydration.
Essential Minerals: Focus on supplementing critical minerals like calcium and magnesium to restore proper physiological functions and improve taste.
Improved Taste and pH: Remineralizing helps correct the bland, slightly acidic nature of RO water, making it more pleasant to drink and encouraging better hydration.
Natural Salts (Caution Advised): While economical, relying on Himalayan salt or similar products for remineralization is imprecise and risks over-consumption of sodium.
Dietary Source Matters: The majority of essential minerals are absorbed from food, but supplemental minerals from water can still contribute to overall intake and health.
Prioritize Quality: No matter the method, choosing a reputable, high-quality supplement is important to avoid adding unintended contaminants.

Understanding the Need to Remineralize RO Water

Reverse osmosis technology uses a semipermeable membrane with incredibly small pores, around 0.0001 microns, to force water through under pressure. This process is highly effective at removing up to 99.9% of total dissolved solids, including contaminants like heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, and bacteria. However, the same process also removes healthy, dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, resulting in water that is often slightly acidic and lacks a pleasant taste.

Beyond taste, there are several key reasons to consider remineralizing your RO water:

Health Benefits: Minerals like magnesium are involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, while calcium is vital for bone density. Restoring these minerals can support everything from cardiovascular health to proper nerve and muscle function.
Optimal Hydration: Electrolytes, which are essential minerals, help the body absorb water more effectively. Replenishing these electrolytes can quench thirst better than demineralized water.
Improved Taste: The flat or bland taste of pure RO water is a common complaint. Reintroducing a balanced mineral profile gives water a crisp, fresh taste similar to natural spring water.

Different Types of RO Water Mineral Supplements

Choosing the right remineralization method depends on your priorities, including convenience, cost, and desired mineral profile. The most popular options include dedicated inline filters, liquid mineral drops, and natural additives.

Remineralization Filters: The Convenient Solution

An inline remineralization filter is a cartridge installed after the RO membrane, typically as the final stage of filtration. As water passes through the filter, it dissolves a mix of minerals, including calcium carbonate, magnesium, and potassium.

How it works: These cartridges contain natural mineral media, such as calcite and maifan stones, that slowly release minerals back into the water.
Key minerals: Primarily calcium and magnesium, with some brands including potassium and trace elements.
Advantages: Fully automated, provides consistent mineral content with every glass, and requires minimal user effort beyond routine filter replacement.
Considerations: Higher initial cost for the filter and potential for variable mineral levels depending on the water's flow rate and contact time.

Mineral Drops: The Flexible and Precise Choice

Liquid mineral drops are a concentrated solution of ionic minerals that can be added directly to a glass or pitcher of water. They offer the highest level of control over the mineral dosage.

How it works: Users simply add a few drops to their water according to the manufacturer's instructions to achieve the desired mineral balance.
Key minerals: Typically contain magnesium, calcium, and a broad spectrum of trace minerals harvested from sources like the Great Salt Lake.
Advantages: Highly customizable, portable for travel, and offers precise control over the mineral content.
Considerations: Requires manual effort for every glass of water, can be inconvenient for large-volume use, and may have a stronger mineral taste if over-dosed.

Natural Salts and DIY Blends

For a more natural and cost-effective approach, some people use mineral-rich salts or create their own blends of mineral powders.

Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt: A tiny pinch of high-quality, unprocessed salt can provide a range of trace minerals and electrolytes.
DIY Mineral Powder: Advanced users, like coffee connoisseurs, can mix specific food-grade mineral powders (e.g., calcium carbonate, magnesium citrate) to create a custom profile.
Advantages: Very affordable and a natural way to boost minerals.
Considerations: This method is imprecise, with a high risk of oversalting if not measured correctly. It also may not provide an ideal balance of essential minerals. Incorrectly measuring DIY blends can be dangerous.

Comparison of Remineralization Methods


Method	Cost	Convenience	Mineral Spectrum	Taste Impact	Maintenance
Inline Filter	$$$ (Higher initial)	Fully Automated	Broad, but can vary	Consistent, pleasant	Moderate (filter replacement)
Mineral Drops	$$ (Ongoing)	Manual, Portable	Very broad	Customizable	Low (adding drops)
Himalayan Salt	$ (Very low)	Manual, Simple	Narrow, sodium-dominant	Potential salty taste	Low (adding salt)
DIY Blends	$$ (Long-term)	Manual, Complex	Custom, High Control	High Control	High (measuring, mixing)

Choosing the Best Supplement for Your Needs

The optimal choice for a mineral supplement for your RO water depends on your lifestyle and priorities. For most households seeking a balanced, hands-off solution, an inline remineralization filter is the best option. It provides a consistent mineral level and improves taste automatically. However, for those who travel frequently or prefer precise control over their mineral intake, liquid mineral drops offer superior flexibility and customization. Natural salt methods are a budget-friendly and simple alternative, but the risk of incorrect dosing and limited mineral range makes them less ideal for comprehensive health supplementation. Ultimately, pairing a reliable RO system with an effective remineralization solution is the best way to enjoy both purified and healthy drinking water.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

While reverse osmosis provides incredibly pure water, it is not nutritionally complete due to the removal of essential minerals. Remineralizing your RO water is a straightforward way to address this. The key is to choose the right supplement for your specific needs, considering factors like convenience, desired mineral content, and budget. An inline remineralization filter offers the most convenient, long-term solution, while mineral drops are perfect for portable or customized use. By understanding the pros and cons of each method, you can ensure your water is not only safe but also contributes positively to your overall health and well-being. For further information on the importance of minerals in drinking water, a comprehensive resource can be found on the World Health Organization's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it is safe to drink, consistently consuming demineralized RO water can lead to a deficiency of beneficial minerals over time. Most health experts recommend restoring lost minerals for optimal health benefits.

The most important minerals to add back are calcium and magnesium, which are crucial for bone health and muscle function. Other trace minerals like potassium and sodium are also beneficial.

Mineral drops offer precise, customizable dosing and are portable, but require manual application. Remineralization filters are automated and convenient, providing consistent mineralization with less user effort.

Yes, adding a tiny pinch of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt can provide trace minerals. However, it is an imprecise method and can lead to excessive sodium intake if you aren't careful with the dosage.

Yes, many remineralization methods, especially those using filters with alkaline media, raise the pH of the water, making it more alkaline. This also helps improve the water's taste.

You can use a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter to measure mineral levels. For remineralized water, a TDS reading between 50 and 150 ppm is a generally accepted target, but the optimal level can vary.

When used according to the manufacturer's directions, mineral drops are generally considered safe for children. However, as with any supplement, it's best to consult a pediatrician to determine the appropriate dosage for your child.