Reverse Osmosis Water.

Theoretically reverse osmosis water systems strip everything out of the water except for h2o molecules. However in actual practice this is not true. Reverse osmosis water systems strip most of the impurities and  minerals out of the water. However some pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and volatile organic chemicals (VOC) are not removed.

Is bottled water better? Most bottled water is reverse osmosis water or filtered, purified water from municipal sources.

Even if the water is from a mountain spring, you would think they would filter the water before putting in a bottle. They might be using RO or reverse osmosis water filters to do the job. It makes no sense to put water in a bottle without filtering it. And if they’re going to filter everything out of the water anyways, why would a company transport water from a mountain spring when they can filter tap water for far less money?

The labels and pictures on water bottles can be deceptive. e.g. Glacier water, spring water, mountain spring water, and pictures of polar bears doesn’t mean the water comes from those locations. The small print might say that the water is tap water from municipal sources.

The other problem with reverse osmosis water in a plastic bottle is that plastic may leach into your drinking water. This is especially true if the bottles are stored in a hot location or transported in a hot truck. Plastic bottles are made from petroleum. Experts say that #3, 6, and 7 plastics are NOT safe. #7 plastic is likely to contain BPA unless the container says ‘BPA free’. #1 plastic (PET or PETE polyethylene terephthalate) are single use containers. Experts say it is dangerous to use #1 plastic bottles more than one time.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Water Systems.

Reverse osmosis water systems take more trace minerals out of the water than other water systems.

Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis Water Systems.

Reverse Osmosis water systems contain virtually no trace minerals that our body requires for good health.

Traditionally we have always consumed water with minerals in it. Stripping water of all minerals is not natural and we don’t know what the long term effects of drinking reverse osmosis water will be.

We do know that fresh water fish are known to die if you put them in pure reverse osmosis water. Although reverse osmosis water systems are recommended by aquarists, water changes need to be done gradually. If reverse osmosis water is used in fish tanks, the fish can obtain minerals  from plants, rocks, gravel, corral, and trace minerals in aquarium salt.

Since fish die in pure water without minerals, we need to ask ourselves what the water is doing to the cells inside our body when we drink it. Some people call reverse osmosis water ‘dead water’. There’s absolutely nothing good  in the water.

If a reverse osmosis system is working properly and all the minerals are removed, then the water should be acidic. Or blood pH is slightly alkaline at 7.365.

Reverse osmosis water is also oxidizing or ‘aging’. Oxidation causes living cells to age and die. The oxidation in reverse osmosis water can be measured with oxidation reduction potential (ORP) meter.

Lastly, reverse osmosis water without minerals does not taste as good as mountain spring water that’s rich in trace minerals. Water soluable minerals give water it’s ‘taste’.

Recommendations If You Drink Reverse Osmosis Water.

1. Maintain your system. Change the filters and membrane according to manufacturer specifications.
2. Add trace minerals to the water  or supplement with minerals with caution. *

* Although supplementation with trace minerals, or adding trace minerals to reverse osmosis water seems to be the best solution, a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous. Trace mineral drops and mineral supplements are not as regulated as tap water. Read the label and research each mineral. Be suspicious when you read ‘other naturally occurring minerals’. What exactly are these ‘other’ minerals? Supplements can contain  poisonous minerals as well as  beneficial minerals.

Adding Trace Minerals To Reverse Osmosis Water.

Trace minerals drops in a plastic bottle and trace mineral supplements may be more harmful than trace minerals in tap water.

Why? Because city tap water is highly regulated and strictly monitored.

Although trace minerals brands may show all kinds of impressive looking awards that imply quality and safety, when I used a magnifying glass and did my research, the awards were meaningless. They didn’t guarantee product safety or quality in my mind.

Since trace minerals may contain deadly poisons in addition to beneficial minerals, one needs to ask some questions. Will I take a chance with reverse osmosis water and add unknown trace minerals that might cause more harm than good? Or will I drink filtered tap water that leaves healthy minerals in the water? City tap water is highly regulated and tested for safety.

Recommendations. Is Reverse Osmosis Water Safe?

Reverse Osmosis water is a fairly new technology. We don’t know what the long term health risks are.

We do know that kids and adults are developing serious diseases in recent years but we can’t prove that reverse osmosis water is responsible. There are so many other likely explanations.

We  know that  reverse osmosis water systems remove harmful and beneficial trace minerals from drinking water. It’s not natural to drink ‘pure’ water without minerals. Fish die unless RO water is added gradually. Also tanks must have a source of minerals such as plants, rocks, gravel, coral, or trace minerals in sea salt.

Adding trace minerals to reverse osmosis water may not be any safer than drinking filtered tap water that leaves minerals in the water. Tap water is highly regulated and tested.  Supplements are not.

If you decide to add mineral supplements or trace minerals to your diet, research each trace mineral. Be suspicious if they say ‘other naturally occurring minerals’. What does that mean? Also count all the minerals. If they say 80 trace minerals and only list 78, what are the other 2 minerals they forgot to mention?

Lastly remember that RO systems use carbon filters for a reason. Carbon can absorb unwanted chemicals, medications, pesticides, herbicides, and VOC’s that can pass right through the RO membrane. Even some bacteria is also able to pass through the membrane, especially if the membrane gets damaged.

Ordinary, inexpensive carbon filters can do everything a reverse osmosis system can do except for one thing. Because of the RO filter’s membrane, reverse osmosis water filters are better at removing trace minerals. Unfortunately we need trace minerals. Water with minerals tastes better and is healthier.