Although there is no foolproof evidence, reverse osmosis water is most likely not harmful to your health. If you have a well-rounded diet and don’t experience severe problems like acid reflux or ulcers, drinking reverse osmosis water shouldn’t affect your overall health negatively.
In this guide, we’ll discuss:
– What is RO water?
– The pros and cons of drinking RO water
– Whether or not RO water can make you sick
What is RO water?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a type of filtration that removes contaminants from water by passing it through a semipermeable membrane. RO filters can remove impurities like lead, arsenic, iron, and fluoride from water.
Out of all the water filtration methods, reverse osmosis is by far one of the best. Rather than utilizing materials that indirectly target contaminants in water like chemical or carbon filters do, reverse osmosis forces water molecules through an extremely small filter to trap pollutants.
Below are some contaminants reverse osmosis systems can remove;
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Nitrates
- Sulfates
- Copper
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Selenium
- Chromium
- Uranium
- Radium 226/228
The pros and cons of drinking RO water:
Pros:
- Pure water than tap water with no contaminants
- Straightforward process
- Inexpensive
- Low maintenance
Cons:
- Water wastefulness
- Longer wait time for water
- Loads of chemicals in the water (if not using a carbon filter
Whether or not RO water can make you sick:
There is no evidence that suggests that RO water can make you sick. In fact, RO water is actually often used in hospitals because it is so pure.
However, if you have a pre-existing condition like acid reflux or ulcers, the high mineral concentration in RO water could make your symptoms worse. If you are concerned about the effects of RO water on your health, speak to a doctor or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
When not to drink reverse osmosis water:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a pre-existing medical condition, or are on medication, we advise speaking to a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, including drinking reverse osmosis water.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women:
Reverse osmosis water is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women to consume. However, because RO water is stripped of minerals, it is important to make sure you are getting enough nutrients from other sources.
We recommend speaking to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to create a well-rounded diet that meets your needs.
Pre-existing medical conditions:
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, we recommend speaking to your doctor or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist before making any changes to your diet, including drinking reverse osmosis water.
RO water is stripped of minerals, so if you have a condition like acid reflux or ulcers, the high mineral concentration in RO water could make your symptoms worse. However, everyone’s experience with RO water is different, so it is important to speak to a healthcare professional about your individual needs.
Medication:
Some medications can interact with RO water. If you are on medication, we recommend speaking to your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes to your diet, including drinking reverse osmosis water.
For example, if you are taking lithium, a medication used to treat bipolar disorder, drinking RO water can reduce the amount of lithium in your body. This can lead to lithium toxicity, which can cause serious side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors.
Speak to a healthcare professional to learn more about how reverse osmosis water could interact with your medication.
When used correctly, reverse osmosis water is a safe and effective way to filter contaminants from your water. However, we always recommend speaking to a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, including drinking RO water. This is because everyone’s needs are different, and a healthcare professional can help you create a well-rounded diet that meets your needs.
How do I know reverse osmosis water is negatively impacting my health:
If you are drinking reverse osmosis water and notice any negative changes in your health, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional. They will be able to help you determine if the RO water is negatively impacting your health and, if so, how to make changes to your diet or medication regimen.
Wrapping it up:
In conclusion, reverse osmosis water is most likely not harmful to your health. If you have a well-rounded diet and don’t experience severe problems like acid reflux or ulcers, drinking reverse osmosis water shouldn’t affect your overall health negatively.
FAQs
Why is reverse osmosis water bad?
When you consume reverse osmosis water, your body actually leaches minerals since the water doesn’t have enough. So, in other words, the vitamins and minerals you’re consuming are being peed out. The long-term effects of this could lead to deficiencies in these vitamins and minerals, which could then lead to negative health consequences.
Is it better to drink distilled or reverse osmosis water?
Reverse osmosis water is better than distilled water because it still contains some minerals. Distilled water has been stripped of all contaminants, including minerals. This can be harmful because your body needs these minerals to function properly.
Do I need to drink reverse osmosis water?
No, you don’t need to drink reverse osmosis water. If you have a well-rounded diet, you should be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need from the food you eat. However, if you are looking to filter contaminants from your water, RO water is a good option.
What does reverse osmosis water do to your body?
When people drink fluoridated RO water, which is low in minerals, the body loses minerals. This means that the minerals consumed in food and supplements are being excreted. When there are fewer minerals consumed and more minerals excreted,
Is reverse osmosis water safe to drink?
Yes, reverse osmosis water is safe to drink. However, we always recommend speaking to a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, including drinking RO water. This is because everyone’s needs are different, and a healthcare professional can help you create a well-rounded diet that meets your needs.
What are the side effects of drinking reverse osmosis water?
The main side effect of drinking RO water is that it can lead to mineral deficiencies. This is because the water doesn’t have enough minerals to replenish what your body is losing. over time, this can lead to negative health consequences.
Is drinking reverse osmosis water bad for you?
No, drinking reverse osmosis water is not bad for you. However, if you have a pre-existing condition or are taking medication, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, including drinking RO water. This is because everyone’s needs are different, and a healthcare professional can help you create a well-rounded diet that meets your needs.
Can reverse osmosis water make you sick?
No, drinking reverse osmosis water will not make you sick unless your body is severely deficient of essential minerals and you may start to experience negative health consequences over time. If you have any concerns, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional. They will be able to help you determine if the RO water is negatively impacting your health and, if so, how to make changes to your diet or medication regimen.
As aforementioned, there is little to no evidence to claim that reverse osmosis water is unsafe. If you have a healthy diet and don’t suffer from issues such as severe acid reflux or stomach ulcers, then drinking reverse osmosis water will not affect your overall health negatively.
Is reverse osmosis water acidic and is acidic water safe?
Yes, the pH of reverse osmosis water is slightly more acidic than regular tap water, which has a pH around 7-7.5. The typical range for RO water is 6.0-6.5pH—coffee, tea, fruit juice carbonated drinks and milk are all more acidic than reverse osmosis water.
Does this mean RO water is bad?
Acidity isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, our stomachs are naturally acidic with a pH around 3.5-5.5 in order to digest food properly. What’s more, many fruits and vegetables that we eat are also acidic.
While some experts claim reverse osmosis water is more acidic and unhealthy, the EPA’s water standards state that all waters between 6.5-8.5 are safe to consume which is in line with the chart below;
Is it safe to drink reverse osmosis water with carbon dioxide?
Yes, it is safe to drink reverse osmosis water with carbon dioxide. In fact, many people prefer to add carbon dioxide to their RO water to improve the taste. Carbon dioxide does not change the safety of the water or make it more acidic.
Can I use reverse osmosis water for cooking?
Yes, you can use reverse osmosis water for cooking. However, we always recommend using filtered or distilled water for cooking, as this will remove any impurities from the water. Additionally, using RO water for cooking may cause your food to taste slightly different than if you used regular tap water.
What is the best way to store reverse osmosis water?
The best way to store reverse osmosis water is in a cool, dark place. RO water does not need to be refrigerated, but storing it in a cool place will help extend its shelf life. Additionally, we recommend using a water filter or pitcher with a built-in filter to remove any impurities before drinking the water. Doing so will help ensure that you’re getting the highest quality water possible.
How long can you drink reverse osmosis water?
RO/UV purified water can last up to 6 months in storage, while regular bottled water can be stored for 1-2 years unopened and 2 weeks once opened. The period of time that water can be stored depends on the quality of the storage container, the temperature of the environment, and how often it’s exposed to sunlight. We recommend using a glass or stainless steel container with a tight-fitting lid to store your RO water.
Is reverse osmosis water bad for your kidneys, teeth, plants or pets?
No, there is no evidence to suggest that reverse osmosis water is bad for your kidney. In fact, many doctors recommend drinking RO water if you have kidney disease or are at risk for kidney stones. Additionally,RO water can help prevent dehydration, which is one of the main causes of kidney stones.
In general, RO water is safe and you shouldn’t be worried about your health unless you have a specific health condition that makes you vulnerable to impurities in the water. On the internet or reddit, you’ll hear chats about it being bad for your teeth, kidneys, dogs, plants or that it’s poisonous. The thing is, unless you have an underlying health issue, the water is completely fine to drink. It goes through a process of reverse osmosis which filters out all the impurities, such as bacteria, salt and chlorine. The end result is clean water that tastes great. So if you’re ever questioning whether or not RO water is safe to drink, the answer is a resounding yes!
Can I use reverse osmosis water for my plants?
Yes, you can use reverse osmosis water for your plants. RO water is actually very good for plants, as it contains no chlorine or other chemicals that could harm them. Additionally, the slightly acidic pH of RO water can help to increase the absorption of nutrients by plant roots. However, we recommend using a water filter or pitcher with a built-in filter to remove any impurities before watering your plants. Doing so will help ensure that your plants are getting the highest quality water possible.
Which is better – reverse osmosis water or filtrated water?
Carbon filtering is great at removing chlorine taste and odor. It also efficiently collects large particles. Reverse Osmosis, on the other hand, removes almost everything from your water, but it performs better if the big pieces are removed first to avoid early fouling of the membrane. The best way to get the cleanest, best-tasting water is to use a reverse osmosis system that has a carbon filter before the RO membrane.
Is Alkaline water better than Reverse osmosis water – Mayo Clinic’s take:
According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. of Mayo Clinic some bottled water that is sold as alkaline water might actually have nutrients added to it in order to achieve an alkaline pH. This type of water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Reverse osmosis water is not considered alkaline water. However, the pH of reverse osmosis water can be increased by adding minerals such as calcium or magnesium. Additionally, some home RO units come with a built-in ionizer which can be used to increase the pH of the water.
Alkaline water has a higher pH level than regular tap water. People who support it say that it can reduce the amount of acid in your blood by making it neutral. Some also claim that alkaline water may help stop illness, like cancer and heart disease, from happening. However, we need more research to check if these things are true.
Although there is no research to suggest that alkaline water aids in the prevention of bone loss, some studies show that it might assist with slowing its progress. However, further research is required to determine if it influences overall bone mineral density and whether the advantage persists over time.
Is reverse osmosis water good for coffer maker?
The disadvantage of using reverse osmosis water to make coffee (or distilled) is that it also lacks essential minerals, such as metallic ions, which extract the bean’s fragrant aromas. The coffee will taste flat if you are devoid of the ions.
In regards to brewing or using coffee makers such as Keurig, it is best to use reverse osmosis water that has been remineralized, or had minerals added back into it. This can be done by using a mineral filter, such as those made by Aquasana and Berkey.
Reverse osmosis water can also be used in other appliances, such as irons and humidifiers. It is perfectly safe to use in these appliances, as the water has already been filtered and does not need to go through another filtration process.
Do I need a special filter for my reverse osmosis system?
You will need a special filter for your reverse osmosis system, as the standard filters will not remove the impurities that reverse osmosis removes. There are a variety of different reverse osmosis filters available on the market, so be sure to do your research to find one that will work best for you and your family.
Can I Use reverse osmosis water in my fish tank?
Reverse osmosis water can be used in fish tanks, but it is important to note that the water will need to be remineralized before it is added to the tank. This can be done by using a mineral filter, such as those made by Aquasana and Berkey. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the fish tank is properly cycled before adding any fish, as the sudden change in water quality can be harmful to them.