Should I add minerals to my water?

November 21, 2024 4 min read

Should I add minerals to my water?

Most people understand the importance of drinking water for daily life. Water is a necessity to live, it can boost your immune system, and it makes you feel healthier as your body is kept hydrated. Some people choose to explore one step farther, however: Can water be made even healthier?  

Mineral content in regular drinking water 

Water as a whole is a healthy choice for drinking. With no calories, no added sugars, and no carbohydrates, water allows you to stay hydrated without consuming any extra additives. Additionally, while some water sources have a higher mineral content than others, all water contains minerals. Tap water, for example, contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as other minerals. Hard water sources contain more minerals than soft water sources, so knowing your tap water can help you infer how mineral-packed your water is (1). In the United States, both tap and bottled water contain healthy minerals, but the amount of minerals present is generally lower than water sources in Europe (2). 

A survey conducted by the US Department of Agriculture sampled 144 municipal and well sources across the United States and tested their water supplies. They found that, “assuming two liters of tap water are consumed daily, only four minerals provided more than 1% of the U.S. Daily Value (DV): copper, 10%, calcium, 6%, magnesium, 5%; and sodium, 3%” (3). Of course, not all minerals are healthy, and copper is a mineral that should be removed from your water using a water filter. Magnesium, sodium, and calcium, on the other hand, are healthy minerals that can help your body function better. 

Mineral content in alkaline water

Alkaline water, like all drinking water, contains healthy minerals. That being said, alkaline water has a higher mineral content than normal drinking water. For water to be “alkaline,” its pH level needs to be higher than regular water. Alkaline water’s high pH is due to the presence of extra minerals in the water. These minerals, known as “alkaline minerals,” boost the water’s pH and come with a slew of health benefits. 

Therefore, while all water contains healthy minerals, alkaline water contains significantly more healthy minerals, increasing the benefits your body will feel incomparison to regular drinking water. 

Health benefits of consuming alkaline minerals

Alkaline minerals, like magnesium, sodium, calcium, and potassium, all play crucial roles in bodily functions. Calcium, for example, helps to strengthen bones and regulates the heartbeat. Magnesium fights constipation and improves digestive health. Calcium, magnesium, and potassium help promote blood circulation (1).  

These minerals are also electrolytes, meaning they carry electrical charges that can help certain bodily functions. Electrolytes are helpful in keeping you hydrated, balancing the body’s pH levels, and regulating muscle contractions. They can also regulate nerve function and can rebuild damaged tissue (4). Ensuring you are consuming enough of these healthy minerals can help your body function more efficiently. 

How to add minerals to your water

To reap the benefits of healthy minerals like magnesium, sodium, calcium, and potassium, you can make sure you are meeting the daily intake goals. In order to do so, a diet high in fruits and vegetables will help. Leafy greens provide an excellent source of calcium and magnesium, while many fruits are high in potassium. 

However, an easy way to ensure you are receiving enough minerals is to consume them through your water. All drinking water contains healthy minerals, but you will have to drink more than average to get enough minerals from water alone. Adding minerals to your water can help you reach your goal faster and feel the health benefits sooner. 

One easy way to add minerals to your water, without the hassle of “home remedies” or buying expensive cases of mineral water, is to alkalize your normal drinking water. The most cost-efficient way to alkalize your water is to invest in an alkalizing water pitcher. For example, Seychelle’s Gen 2 Dual pH20 Pure Water Pitcher is independently lab-tested to raise your water’s pH through the addition of healthy minerals to the water. It can filter up to 150 gallons, leaving in the obvious choice for an economical and easy-to-use water filter. 

The Wrap-Up

Adding minerals to your water can help you reach your daily mineral intake and provide you with numerous health benefits. Healthy minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium are present in all water, but alkaline water contains more of these minerals than other water sources. You can easily add healthy minerals to your water through the use of a pH water pitcher to ensure you are taking advantage of the health benefits of alkaline minerals.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to drink mineral water every day?

For most people, it is safe to drink mineral water every day, as the minerals are beneficial to health. However, those who are at risk of hypernatremia, or too much sodium in their diet, should consult their doctor before drinking mineral water daily. 

Is too much minerals in water bad for you?

Not necessarily. In fact, adding minerals to your water is beneficial to your body, and studies show drinking water containing healthy minerals is safe to drink for all demographics. 

Does adding minerals to water make it alkaline?

Yes. Adding healthy minerals to water raises the water’s pH, making it alkaline.  

References

  1. Katherine Marengo,Medical News Today,https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324910 
  2. Arik Azoulay, et. al.,National Library of Medicine,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1495189/ 
  3. Pamela Pehrsson, et. al.,USDA,https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/80400525/articles/ndbc32_watermin.pdf 
  4. Grant Tinsley,Medical News Today,https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153188