Distillation is one of the oldest water purification solutions – and there’s a reason why it’s still popular today.
You can remineralize distilled water by using mineral drops or an alkalizing water filter, or by adding pink Himalayan salt to the water.
The distillation process (i.e. boiling water until it evaporates, then condenses into a clean jug) is highly effective and can remove hundreds of trace contaminants from any source of water, including spring water and tap water.
But the slightly ironic thing about distillation is that it’s almost too good. As well as removing the bad stuff from water, distillers also remove the healthy stuff – namely trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
While the human body can get plenty of these minerals from the food we include in our diet, such as fruits and vegetables and other foods developed from plants, you may still prefer to drink them in your water, too. Luckily, it’s really easy to add trace elements back into your distilled water. On this page, I’ve written about the best means of doing so.
Table of Contents
- 🧪 What Minerals Does Distillation Remove?
- 🤔 Should I Remineralize Water That’s Been Distilled?
- 👍 Benefits of Adding Minerals to Distilled Water
- ✔️ How to Remineralize Distilled Drinking Water
- ❔ Frequently Asked Questions
🧪 What Minerals Does Distillation Remove?
Let’s start with a quick recap of why the existing distillation treatment is actually so great at what it does: it removes more than 99.9% of all TDS (total dissolved solids) that occur in drinking water.
That means all the potentially harmful contaminants that water contains, from chemicals such as chlorine to heavy metals, pathogens like bacteria, and particulates that affect water’s taste, color or smell like iron, can all be completely removed by distillation, leaving you with completely pure, impurity-free liquid.
But as well as properly removing a high content of these unwanted impurities, distillation also removes the stuff we actually want. That’s because there’s no smart way for a distiller to recognize the difference between healthy minerals and unhealthy metals, chemicals, bacteria and so on.
When water is boiled, anything that can’t evaporate into a gas ends up leftover in the boiling chamber – including those essential trace elements.
Calcium and magnesium, the two minerals found predominantly in drinking water, are removed by distillation. Sodium (salt), phosphorus, zinc and potassium are also removed during the distillation process.
The human body needs trace amounts of all of these minerals for good health. A lack of minerals can lead to deficiency, which can result in brittle bones, heart problems, behavioral changes, impaired muscle function and problems with the body’s cells.
🤔 Should I Remineralize Water That’s Been Distilled?
First thing’s first, you should know that no matter what, the existing minerals removed by distillation don’t need to be consumed in liquids. In fact, food such as fruits and veggies, which you hopefully include in abundance in your diet, contain much higher quantities of these trace minerals.
When you look at the levels of minerals present in drinking water, you can see that in comparison, you’re consuming so few minerals from this source that it wouldn’t make much of a difference whether you drink normal tap water or purified water from a distillation machine.
You may have seen the medical report by the World Health Organization (WHO). There are several worrying research-based mentions in the report that make references to the idea that drinking demineralized water – whether that’s distilled or RO water – may be damaging to the health of humans.
The article notes that our medical health is at particular risk of deficiency resulting from the lack of minerals in pure water. Additionally, poor hydration, a possible increased intake of certain toxic metals, and metabolic effects have also been linked in studies to drinking distilled mineral water.
What’s obvious is that this article isn’t intentional scaremongering – it comes from a legitimate source and contains information that’s backed by valid data. However, a number of the health concerns mentioned in the report, such as poor hydration and mineral deficiency in the body, could be avoided entirely if we made sure to eat healthy, mineral-rich food in our daily diets.
Potential health effects of demineralized water aside, you might simply choose to add minerals back into your water to improve its taste.
👍 Benefits of Adding Minerals to Distilled Water
Improves Water Taste
If you’re a fan of mineral-rich bottled water, you’ll know that alkalized water with a high pH has an appealing taste. On the opposite end of the scale, demineralized water with a very low mineral content, or a complete lack of minerals, will taste flat, flavorless and unappealing. Drinking distilled water with added minerals will raise its pH level and thus improve its overall flavor, bringing some life back into your beverage.
Improves Hydration
If you enjoy something, you’re probably going to consume more of it. You’re more likely to reach for a glass of water if you like the way it tastes, which is definitely useful from a hydration perspective. One of the most important factors for human health is hydration of the body, so it goes without saying that we should be drinking plenty of liquids on a daily basis.
General Health Benefits
While water from your faucet doesn’t contain the level of minerals the body needs to survive, there’s no harm in getting a few extra nutrients from your drinking water . Nutrients such as calcium and magnesium become increasingly important as we age, and every little helps. Just ensure you’re eating plenty of mineral-rich plant foods in your diet rather than solely relying on drinking distilled water with added minerals.
✔️ How to Remineralize Distilled Drinking Water
Trace Mineral Drops
Looking for an affordable, low-fuss way to remineralize your distilled water? Mineral or electrolyte drops are an effective solution to consider. These products add a measured amount of trace minerals to your water. A little goes a long way, so make sure to follow instructions carefully to ensure you’re only adding what you need.
The Quinton Wellness product is a fantastic solution if you’re looking for a product that’s been manufactured by a leading wellness company based on decades of medical research (visit the website here).
There are a number of options available on the market today, but not all brands are legitimate, so do your research and don’t be so quick to believe a marketing claim. It’s fine to message a company before making a purchase with whatever questions you may have if you’re unsure or looking for more data.
Using mineral or electrolyte drops is usually as easy as putting them in a glass or pitcher of distilled water and drinking as you usually would. Depending on what type of product you go for and the website you buy it from, minerals in the form of drops or electrolyte powder can last for weeks to months, and cost around $20-$40 on average.
We Recommend: Quinton Liquid Mineral Drops
See price at waterandwellness.com
- On the go remineralization
- Improves electrolyte balance
- Helps restore natural rehydration and homeostasis
- Increases cellular response time
- Boosts immune response time
- Enhances brain function & nervous system
Alkalizing Water Pitchers
If you don’t want to bother with physically introducing something to your distilled water, an alkalizing pitcher filter may be the best solution for you. This solution looks like your average water jug or pitcher, but it features a lid with a built-in filter.
When you add distilled water to the top chamber of this jug, it will have to pass through the remineralizing filter to enter the bottom chamber, ready for drinking. This enables the filter to add a balanced amount of minerals to your water.
Alkalizing filter pitchers are really simple to use, and many people favor them because they require minimal effort to work. They’re also portable, which is a bonus for anyone looking for a remineralization option that they can take to work or on vacation. Keep in mind that you’ll have to change the remineralization filter once its minerals have depleted. Depending on the product you’ve gone for, this may require a new filter purchase once after 6 weeks to 3-6 months.
The only issue with alkalizing water pitchers is that you will have to wait a few minutes (usually around 10-20 mins, max) for your water to filter through. If you’ve already waited between 4 and 6 hours to produce a 1-gallon batch of distilled water, you might not want to have to wait extra time for your distilled water to be remineralized.
We Recommend: Invigorated Water pH Restore Alkaline Water Pitcher
See price at invigoratedwater.com
- Last 96 gallons
- High negative Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)
- Helps increased immunity and energy levels
- Adds selenium & calcium
- May assist with improved metabolism
Alkaline Water Bottles
An even more portable and convenient on-the-go remineralizing solution is an alkalizing water bottle. These bottles increase water’s pH level by adding measured amounts of calcium and magnesium as you drink through the straw.
The obvious benefit of an alkalizing bottled water solution is that it requires no setup. You simply add your distilled water source and drink from the straw as you usually would. Being smaller and more secure than filter pitchers, alkalizing bottles are also the better choice for carrying in a rucksack on hiking trips or in your purse while at work.
As with alkalizing pitchers, you’ll have to change the filtering cartridge after 6 weeks or so to get consistent results from this filtration process.
Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan salt, a type of sea salt or rock salt, might seem a little strange to add to your water, but it’s high in natural minerals while slightly lower in sodium than table salt, making it a useful solution for introducing to your distilled water every day.
Using pink Himalayan salt is one of the most natural means of remineralization, but there’s a bit more to it than just adding a pinch of the stuff to a cup of water. The recommended method is to create a beverage called sole water, by introducing enough salt to fill a jar 1/4 full before filling it the rest of the way with water. You should then store the water for up to 24 hours to allow the salt to fully dissolve. Add 1 teaspoon of sole water to a quart of distilled water and sip it throughout the day.
Sole water isn’t only good for you because of the calcium carbonate and magnesium it contains. The elements found in this type of sea salt are also said to balance the negatively and positively charged ions in the body’s cells.
Pink Himalayan sea salt isn’t your average table salt, which is slightly higher in sodium and has a lower mineral content. Himalayan salt can be purchased online and in some grocery stores. It’s important that you’re precise with your measurements when using this salt – although pink Himalayan salt is somewhat lower in sodium than other salts, the sodium content could still be dangerously high if you added too much to your distilled water.
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
If I’m adding minerals to my distilled water, should I bother with this purification process in the first place?
The answer to this totally depends on what you’re looking for. A distillation system can free water of a whole host of impurities, including harmful contaminants such as bacteria and lead, resulting in clean, purified drinking water. Distillation methods would offer the peace of mind to know that your water isn’t dangerous to drink from a contamination perspective.
But you might not require the level of purification offered by a distilled water system. It’s worth arranging for a test to see exactly what impurities are in your home’s water supply. After testing, you can decide on the most suitable answer to your problems. If you’re just dealing with one or two contaminants, systems that use less thorough filtered methods, such as activated carbon filters, could be a better solution. These systems can produce chlorine and lead-free water, but would not diminish the concentration of healthy minerals in the liquid.
What’s the difference between remineralization and alkalizing?
Remineralized distilled water and alkalized distilled water are two slightly different things. An alkalizer changes the pH balance of water, giving it a more preferable alkaline flavor, but doesn’t necessarily have to add minerals to do this. Remineralization, on the other hand, is the process of introducing minerals back into the water, which automatically changes its pH level and makes it less acidic.
Which is the most suitable solution for introducing minerals back into distilled water?
Now you know what’s available, take a look at specific products online and see how they’ve been reviewed by customers and third-party experts in terms of quality. How a product is reviewed can answer a lot of the questions or concerns you may have had about a product’s function, effectiveness and value for money. You may believe a product is perfect for you until you check out personal reviews from previous customers, so it’s worth spending the extra bit of time to make sure you’re buying a high-quality product that lives up to every claim made by the manufacturing company.
FAQs
How do you Remineralize distilled water for drinking? ›
You can remineralize distilled water by using mineral drops or an alkalizing water filter, or by adding pink Himalayan salt to the water.
How do you add calcium and magnesium to distilled water? ›Distilled water contains no minerals and trace elements. One way to increase its mineral content is to mix it with electrolyte powder, drops or effervescent tablets containing magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium.
How much Himalayan salt for distilled water? ›It is so important to add unprocessed/ unrefined salts to the distilled, structured water or reverse osmosis water you drink. Here are the ratios: Add half a teaspoon of unprocessed/unrefined Himalayan crystal salt to a gallon of water. Add a pinch of salt in a twelve-ounce glass.
How do you add electrolytes and minerals to distilled water? ›- Sea Salt. Salt can be added to water in small amounts to increase electrolyte levels. ...
- Coconut Water. Coconut water is nature's most nutritious beverage. ...
- Ginger. ...
- Watermelon. ...
- Oral Hydration Solutions - The Best Way to Add Electrolytes to Water.
Distilled water lacks even electrolytes like potassium and other minerals your body needs. So you may miss out on a bit of these micronutrients if you drink only the distilled stuff.
How do you activate distilled water? ›The process of distilling is simple: Heat tap water to the point that it turns to vapor. When the vapor condenses back to water, it leaves behind any mineral residue. The resulting condensed liquid is distilled water.
What happens when calcium is added to distilled water? ›In the following demonstration, a chunk of calcium metal is dropped into a beaker of distilled water. After a second or so, the calcium metal begins to bubble vigorously as it reacts with the water, producing hydrogen gas, and a cloudy white precipitate of calcium hydroxide.
Which types of water is high in calcium and magnesium? ›Hard water is usually defined as water, which contains a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions.
How can I mineralize water at home? ›Water can be remineralized by adding trace mineral drops or Himalayan Sea salt to drinking water or by using alkaline water pitchers or bottles for drinking water. However, these can deliver only small volumes of water, require constant re-filling and the filters have to be replaced every one to three months.
How do you add minerals to distilled water naturally? ›- Mineral Drops. Mineral drops are concentrated liquid solutions that you can drop in your drinking water to increase its mineral content. ...
- Mineral-Infusing Water Bottles. ...
- Water Filtration Systems. ...
- Himalayan Sea Salt. ...
- Electrolyte Powder. ...
- Use Natural Fruits and Vegetables.
What salt is best for Remineralizing water? ›
One way to remineralize water is by using Himalayan pink salt to it. Himalayan salt is better than normal table salt because it contains an extensive mineral profile of 84 trace minerals. Some of these minerals include calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which all help to neutralize the pH in reverse osmosis water.
What is the best salt to add minerals to water? ›The perfect level of trace minerals can be found in high quality sea salt. (Not table salt, which only contains sodium). Celtic Sea Salt and Himalayan Sea Salt are two types known to have high levels of these precious nutrients.
What should be added to distilled water? ›Distilled water is a poor conductor of electricity. In order to increase its conductivity we have to add either an acid, base or a salt. That will increase the conductivity of distilled water due to decomposition of these substances into constituent ions.
How can distilled water be turned into an electrolyte? ›Distilled water is pure and free of salts; thus it is a very poor conductor of electricity. By adding ordinary table salt (NaCl) to distilled water, it becomes an electrolyte solution, able to conduct electricity.
Can I make my own electrolyte water? ›- 1/4 tsp. salt.
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice.
- 1/4 cup lemon juice.
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut water.
- 2 cups cold water.
- Additional options: sweetener, powdered magnesium and/or calcium, depending on needs.
Since distilled water doesn't contain its own minerals, it has a tendency to pull them from whatever it touches to maintain a balance. So when you drink distilled water, it may pull small amounts of minerals from your body, including from your teeth.
Can bacteria grow in distilled water? ›Many microorganisms ("oligotrophs") grow in distilled water: Pseudomonas spp., Caulobacter spp., Hyphomicrobium spp., Arthrobacter spp., Seliberia spp., Bactoderma alba, Corynebacterium spp., Amycolata (Nocardia) autotrophica, Mycobacterium spp., yeasts, and Chlorella spp.
What is the purest water to drink? ›Distilled water is the PUREST drinking water possible.
Tap water is loaded with many types of suspended pollutants, chemicals, toxins and other contaminants. Bottled water is usually plain tap water that has been minimally filtered to get rid of the bad odor and taste.
Yes, distilled water is safe to drink. However, you may find it tastes a little flat. Distillation purifies water in a natural process, similar to the earth's hydrologic cycle. There are no added chemicals or disinfectants in the water that can harm you.
Is there a distilled water shortage in 2023? ›A distilled water shortage is happening in 2023 as several factors are keeping the product from reaching store shelves. A lot of the current problems surrounding the 2023 distilled water shortage have to do with the Covid-19 pandemic. That shut down many factories as lockdowns spread across the country.
Why don't we use distilled water? ›
-Distilled water is not used for drinking because it is demineralized i.e. it does not contain any minerals. Pure or distilled water has highly solubility. Distilled water is acidic in nature and is used to draw poison out of the body.
Why not use distilled water in Keurig? ›However, please note, distilled water should not be used in Keurig® models 2.0 and newer. This water is too pure for the sensors to operate properly. If you are using a Keurig® 2.0 or newer model which you likely are, stick with filtered water or use a Keurig filter.
Does distilling water remove bacteria? ›Distillation is one of the oldest methods of water treatment and is still in use today, though not commonly as a home treatment method. It can effectively remove many contaminants from drinking water, including bacteria, inorganic and many organic compounds.
Does distilled water hydrate you? ›Yes, distilled water keeps you hydrated, but what happens to your body when you drink distilled water? Due to the demineralization done during the evaporation process, distilled water increases urine output when consumed.
Which mineral water has the most magnesium? ›Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water contains more magnesium than most mineral waters with 108 mg per litre.
How do you know if you are magnesium deficient? ›Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
What water has most minerals? ›Few other mineral waters contain as many minerals as Gerolsteiner: 2,500 mg per liter, however no other mineral water has the unique balance of minerals that Gerolsteiner offers. It is this harmonious balance of minerals that gives Gerolsteiner its clean and refreshing taste.
How can I ionize water at home naturally? ›Use Baking Soda
With a pH level of 9, baking soda is one of the most popular—and easiest—ways to alkalize your drinking water. (You also probably already have it in your kitchen.) To try it, mix ⅛ tablespoon of baking soda into 8 fluid ounces of purified water.
If you prefer not to spend money on bottled water, you can demineralize hard tap water at home by boiling it on the stove or using a reverse osmosis filter. Whatever water source you choose, it's important to clean and descale your humidifier regularly to keep it running optimally and to avoid air contamination.
Do I need to Remineralize my water? ›It is vital for optimal body function. Remineralizing your RO water can restore the lost essential elements during reverse osmosis filtration without adding impurities. Mineralized water contains major micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals.
What are the best minerals to add to your water? ›
Allowing minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium to re-enter your purified water improves its taste and can have the added benefit of also improving your health.
Why do you add salt to water? ›Drink salt water to replace lost sodium
While electrolytes generally help the body function, sodium is especially important for muscle and nerve functions. It plays an integral role in ensuring muscles contract and relax, your neurons fire, and even help regulate your bodily fluid balance.
To remineralize reverse osmosis water with Himalayan salt, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon to a gallon of water. Or sprinkle just a tiny pinch into your glass before drinking.
Which salt makes distilled water hard? ›When some salts will be dissolved in distilled water distilled water will become hard. Hardness of water is due to the presence of calcium and magnesium salts. Calcium and magnesium salts are the main reason for the hardness in water.
Does Himalayan salt add minerals to water? ›Depending on the type of salt used in your salt water, you may also be drinking some extra healthy minerals, but the minerals found in pink Himalayan salt are only present in trace amounts, which may not be enough to see any real health benefits.
Should I add Himalayan salt to my water? ›I find it incredibly beneficial adding Himalayan Pink Salt to my water every day. Especially living in a Tropical area where you sweat a lot it is critical that you hydrate properly and replenish electrolytes. The best way to do this is to be drinking Himalayan Pink Salt in at least 1 bottle of water daily.
What is the disadvantage of mineral salt in water? ›Drawbacks of Salt water
Salt water, when consumed in excess, causes diarrhea, dehydration, and can damage your kidneys. It also does not contain all the electrolytes your body needs to function at its best, resulting in electrolyte imbalance in some cases.
So Which Type of Salt Is Good for Health? Your best is to stick with pink Himalayan salt and Celtic sea salt. They are both pure, contain the lowest amount of sodium, and have the highest amount of trace minerals.
What is the healthiest salt with minerals? ›Due to its mineral content, Himalayan pink salt is often also thought of as one of the healthiest salts.
How do you balance distilled water? ›There is nothing harmful about drinking distilled water. And if you are at all worried about it being mildly acidic then you can always add a pinch of Sodium Bicarbonate to rebalance the pH.
How can you increase the conductivity of distilled water? ›
Distilled water is a bad conductor of electricity. By adding salt to it, its electrical conductivity can be increased. So, a solution of distilled water and salt would conduct electricity.
Which of the following substance should not be added to distilled water to make it good conductor? ›Adding common salt to distilled water makes it a bad conductor of electricity.
What are the best electrolytes to add to distilled water? ›Pink Himalayan salt, a type of sea salt or rock salt, might seem a little strange to add to your water, but it's high in natural minerals while slightly lower in sodium than table salt, making it a useful solution for introducing to your distilled water every day.
Should I add electrolytes to distilled water? ›Distilled water lacks even electrolytes like potassium and other minerals your body needs. So you may miss out on a bit of these micronutrients if you drink only the distilled stuff.
How much salt should you put in water for electrolytes? ›For a normal water bottle (500ml or 16.9 oz) I suggest a 2 finger pinch of salt (between your thumb and index finger). Be sure to stir the water or mix it around or you will be left with an extra salty last sip. NOTE: it should NOT taste like seawater, it should only taste like a hint of salt.
What is a natural electrolyte drink? ›1/2 cup fresh orange juice. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. 2 cups water (filtered or raw coconut water) 2 tbsp organic raw honey or organic maple syrup. 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt.
What is the best way to Remineralise water? ›Water can be remineralized by adding trace mineral drops or Himalayan Sea salt to drinking water or by using alkaline water pitchers or bottles for drinking water. However, these can deliver only small volumes of water, require constant re-filling and the filters have to be replaced every one to three months.
Is remineralized distilled water the same as distilled water? ›Distilled water does not contain minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are essential to human health. However, RO water typically includes a remineralization phase where healthy amounts of important minerals are added back into the water.
Why is distilled water not at all good for drinking purposes? ›Since distilled water doesn't contain its own minerals, it has a tendency to pull them from whatever it touches to maintain a balance. So when you drink distilled water, it may pull small amounts of minerals from your body, including from your teeth.
Is distilled water the same as distilled remineralized water? ›The main difference between demineralized and distilled water is that distilled water often has fewer organic pollutants. In contrast, deionisation does not remove uncharged molecules like viruses or bacteria. The amount of mineral ions in demineralised water varies depending on its creation.
What minerals should I add back into water? ›
Allowing minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium to re-enter your purified water improves its taste and can have the added benefit of also improving your health.
What is the best vitamin to add to water? ›Add vitamin C
Adding a vitamin C supplement to your routine will promote brain health, boost your body's ability to fight disease, and increase collagen.
Distilled water is water that has been boiled into vapor and condensed back into liquid in a separate container and this process is called distillation and condensed water obtained is called distilled water. Distilled water is free from all types of impurities so it is considered to be the purest form of water.
Why does distilled water not hydrate you? ›Electrolyte Deficiencies
Distilled water takes away all minerals and nutrients due to the process of distillation. Therefore, your body is forced to give mineral and nutrient-free water electrolytes. With this, your electrolyte level will slowly decrease and eventually cause electrolyte imbalance in your body.
- a flat taste that many people find unappealing, leading to reduced water consumption.
- a decrease in the body's metabolic function.
- an increase in urine output that could result in electrolyte imbalance.
Many microorganisms ("oligotrophs") grow in distilled water: Pseudomonas spp., Caulobacter spp., Hyphomicrobium spp., Arthrobacter spp., Seliberia spp., Bactoderma alba, Corynebacterium spp., Amycolata (Nocardia) autotrophica, Mycobacterium spp., yeasts, and Chlorella spp. Also, certain lower fungi can be found here.