When water is purified via distillation or reverse osmosis, it offers the reassurance of comprehensive contaminant removal. But these methods also remove healthy minerals and ions that contribute to the water’s taste and alkalinity. Many people choose to remineralize their purified water to restore these lost minerals and make it more comparable to spring water in taste and nutritional value.
To see how the different remineralization options compare, we tested a selection of trace mineral drops, salts, and lemon juice, using distilled water as our baseline control. We conducted certified lab testing to measure exactly how each method altered our water quality.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Findings
See this section for a summary of our test results.
| Method |  Pink Himalayan Salt |  Celtic Sea Salt |  Lemon Juice |  ConcenTrace |  Aussie Trace |  Anderson's Sea M.D. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.6 | 6.4 | 3.0 | 6.4 | 7.8 | 8.4 |
| TDS (mg/L) | 1,800 | 2,250 | 377 | 180 | 695 | 793 |
| Major Minerals | Mg, Ca, K, Na | Mg, Ca, K, Na | K, Mg, Ca | Mg | Mg, K, Na | Mg, Cl, SO4 |
| Contaminants (Above HGL) | Aluminum | Aluminum, Arsenic | None | Arsenic, Lithium | Arsenic, Boron | Arsenic, Lithium, Boron |
| Verdict | ❌ Not recommended | ❌ Not recommended | ⚠️ Acidic, not ideal | ❌ Not recommended | ❌ Not recommended | ❌ Not recommended |
- Salts: Both salt methods introduced extremely high sodium/chloride concentrations to our water. Celtic salt also introduced arsenic above the Health Guideline Level (HGL), and both introduced aluminum above the HGL.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice reduced the pH of our distilled water to 3.0 and introduced low-to-moderate mineral additions. It added the highest concentration of potassium out of all the products we tested.
- Mineral Drops: All three trace mineral drops added significant magnesium to our water, but each also introduced contaminants like arsenic, lithium, and boron. Some were detected in concentrations exceeding the HGL.
Project Design & Methods
Our testing objective was to evaluate common remineralization methods for distilled water to see how they alter water chemistry.
The 6 methods or products we tested are as follows:
- Pink Himalayan Salt (sole water)
- Celtic Sea Salt (sole water)
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops
- Aussie Trace Minerals
- Anderson’s Sea M.D. Trace Mineral Drops
Our Testing Process
First, we conducted initial testing of our baseline water source: two unopened gallons of distilled water. We then separated the water into 500 ml samples (measured in borosilicate glass beakers to avoid contamination) and treated each sample with each method or product.
Here’s a breakdown of our testing process for each sample:
- Pour 250 mL of distilled water from each bottle into each labeled beaker.
- Measure out each product according to its required dosages (discussed accordingly in each individual review)
- Stir gently 20–30s with a dedicated glass rod
- Take samples & cap immediately to limit airborne contamination/CO₂ exchange.
We shipped all samples on the same day to Tap Score for analysis.
Tap Score: The Lab Testing Service We Used
We used SimpleLab’s Tap Score Advanced City Water Test kits to test the baseline distilled water and all the dosed water samples.
These kits test for 111 analytes, including 25 different metals, 7 inorganics, 4 minerals, and parameters like hardness, TDS, and pH. We currently use Tap Score for the majority of our testing projects because we’ve found the interactive test reports to be the most informative and user-friendly. Tap Score also provides the most comprehensive testing at the best price compared to other lab tests we’ve used.
To make our results as easy as possible to analyze, we measured all analytes in mg/L (except for pH). This was also to maintain consistency, as we were measuring our samples in mLs.
Tap Score lets you choose whether to compare your results against EPA standards or the Health Guideline Levels (HGLs), based on the most protective human health benchmark used among public health agencies for a contaminant. For this review, we’ve primarily measured our test data against the HGLs, which are stricter targets than the EPA’s standards.
Our Results
Baseline Distilled Water
Our baseline sample was taken from 2 unopened gallons of distilled water, with 250 mL mixed from each. We poured the water into our sample beaker, briefly stirred it with a clean glass rod to mimic handling, then filled a test vial and capped it immediately for shipping to the lab.
The water had a pH of 6.3, making it slightly acidic. Its TDS (total dissolved solids) reading came in at less than 4 mg/L, putting it well within the Water Quality Association’s “water with low TDS” classification (referring to water containing 0-100 mg/L of TDS).
As expected, the baseline sample contained no detectable minerals or contaminants. Demineralization is the expected result of distillation and reverse osmosis, two purification processes that strip the majority of impurities (including minerals, salts, metals, and ions) from water.
This test data confirms that the control water was essentially a blank slate, meaning that the impurities detected in our testing resulted from the remineralization methods themselves and were not already present in the baseline sample.
Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan salt is known to contain trace amounts of minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and (of course) sodium. Sole water made using pink Himalayan salt is said to improve hydration and boost your nutrient levels with regular consumption.
Our Dosing
We made a sole (saturated brine) solution by adding the Himalayan salt to distilled water until undissolved crystals remained after stirring, indicating that the solution had reached full saturation. We then added 2.6 mL of sole* (approximately 52 drops) to our 500 mL water sample.
Our Test Data
With the addition of pink Himalayan salt sole water, our water had a pH reading of 6.6; slightly higher than the baseline pH of 6.3 but still somewhat acidic. The TDS of our water increased to 1,800 mg/L. This is very high, and water with a TDS reading above 1,200 mg/L is classified as unacceptable by the WHO.*
594 mg/L sodium and 1,050 mg/L chloride were detected in our water. While sodium is a mineral that’s necessary for human health in trace amounts, this concentration is up to 20 times the EPA’s guideline of 30 to 60 mg/L sodium (to prevent taste effects), and far exceeds the guideline of 20 mg/L for people on a low-sodium diet.
Aside from sodium, 2.68 mg/L magnesium was also introduced, along with 2.2 mg/L calcium and 3 mg/L potassium. It was actually one of the few methods we tested that introduced calcium at all (along with the Celtic sea salt and lemon juice), but it didn’t introduce anywhere near as much magnesium or potassium as some of the mineral drops.
There were several trace elements that were detected, too:
- 0.106 mg/L aluminum (exceeding the HGL of 0.07 mg/L)
- 0.0028 mg/L manganese
- 0.0006 mg/L chromium
- 0.0014 mg/L barium
- 0.027 mg/L strontium
All these impurities occur naturally in pink Himalayan salt, with a 2020 study of pink salt in Australia finding trace concentrations of copper, chromium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, aluminum, silicon, and even lead across 31 samples.
| Parameter | Value (mg/L) | HGL Exceeded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.6 | No | Slightly acidic |
| TDS | 1,800 | Yes (WHO) | Above WHO acceptable |
| Sodium | 594 | Yes | Way above 20–60 mg/L |
| Chloride | 1,050 | Yes | High |
| Magnesium | 2.68 | No | Low beneficial amount |
| Calcium | 2.2 | No | Low |
| Potassium | 3.0 | No | Modest |
| Aluminum | 0.106 | Yes | HGL: 0.07 |
This same study also noted that although pink salt contains nutrients, you’d need more than 30 grams (approximately 6 teaspoons) per day to make a “meaningful contribution” to your nutrient intake, and at this level, you’d be consuming excessive sodium and dealing with the related harmful effects of doing so.
Our Verdict
Based on our test results, we wouldn’t recommend using pink Himalayan salt as a remineralization method. In our testing, it produced salty water with a noticeable sodium taste. It also introduced unwanted impurities, with HGL exceedances for aluminum.
Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt contains more magnesium and calcium than pink Himalayan salt, as well as being slightly lower in sodium. This potentially makes it a more appealing choice for distilled or RO water remineralization, as it may introduce more minerals without such a big spike in sodium. This is what we aimed to find out in our testing.
Our Dosing
We used the same method to make a sole solution with the Celtic sea salt as we did with the Himalayan salt. This involved gradually stirring the salt into distilled water until the solution was fully saturated and undissolved crystals remained. Again, we added 2.6 mL of the salty brine to our 500 mL water sample.
Our Test Data
After being dosed with the Celtic sea salt sole solution, the pH of our water increased ever so slightly, from 6.3 to 6.4. The TDS reading, however, was highest of all the dosed water samples we tested, at 2,250 mg/L.
This time, 600 mg/L of sodium and 1,030 mg/L of chloride were detected in the dosed water. These results were almost identical to our pink Himalayan salt result, disproving the idea that Celtic sea salt contains less sodium (at least in our testing scenario). 38.9 mg/L of sulfate was also detected, as well as:
- 14.7 mg/L magnesium (around five times the levels introduced by the Himalayan salt)
- 4 mg/L calcium (almost twice the concentration added by the Himalayan salt)
- 2.89 mg/L potassium (only slightly lower than the Himalayan salt)
As with the pink salt, the Celtic sea salt also introduced trace elements into our water. These were:
- 0.089 mg/L aluminum (exceeding the HGL of 0.07 mg/L)
- 0.0005 mg/L arsenic (exceeding the HGL of 0 mg/L)
- 0.0094 mg/L manganese
- 0.0012 mg/L chromium
- 0.0006 mg/L barium
- 0.141 mg/L strontium
These results were pretty similar to the pink Himalayan salt, with the same five contaminants being introduced in similar concentrations. The key difference was that the Celtic sea salt also introduced arsenic, which the pink salt did not.
| Parameter | Value (mg/L) | HGL Exceeded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | No | Slightly acidic |
| TDS | 2,250 | Yes (WHO) | Highest of all samples |
| Sodium | 600 | Yes | Extremely high |
| Chloride | 1,030 | Yes | High |
| Magnesium | 14.7 | No | Higher than Himalayan |
| Calcium | 4.0 | No | Still modest |
| Potassium | 2.89 | No | Similar to Himalayan |
| Aluminum | 0.089 | Yes | HGL: 0.07 |
| Arsenic | 0.0005 | Yes | HGL: 0 |
Again, these results aren’t unique to our own testing scenario. A well-known manufacturer of Celtic sea salt products has actually recently faced a class-action lawsuit due to the claim that some of its salts are contaminated with “significant levels” of lead and arsenic, with no warning label to inform consumers of the “contamination”.
Our Verdict
The Celtic sea salt introduced even more sodium than the Himalayan salt, along with the same set of additional impurities and arsenic. With that in mind, we also don’t think it’s a suitable method of remineralization for distilled or RO water.
| Metric | Pink Himalayan Salt | Celtic Sea Salt |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.6 | 6.4 |
| TDS (mg/L) | 1,800 | 2,250 |
| Sodium | 594 mg/L | 600 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 2.68 mg/L | 14.7 mg/L |
| Calcium | 2.2 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L |
| Potassium | 3.0 mg/L | 2.89 mg/L |
| Contaminants | Aluminum | Aluminum, Arsenic |
| Verdict | ❌ Too salty, not enough mineral benefit | ❌ Too many contaminants |
Lemon Juice
As another “natural” remineralization option for distilled and RO water, lemon juice is said to add beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as being a good source of vitamin C. And while lemon juice is acidic, it produces alkaline byproducts when metabolized by the body, which is why some people consider it to be alkaline.
Our Dosing
We added 10 mL of fresh lemon juice to our 500 mL sample. There’s no hard and fast rule on how much lemon juice you should add to water for remineralization purposes, but general guides suggest 1/2–1 lemon per glass.
Our Test Data
Our test water containing the lemon juice had the lowest pH reading of all the samples: 3.0. This made it the most acidic, unsurprisingly, given that lemon juice itself is acidic (it’s not alkaline, despite some misinformation you might have seen online). The TDS reading was 377 mg/L, putting it in the WHO’s “acceptable” range.
25 mg/L potassium was detected in our lemon juice-enhanced water—the highest of all the remineralization methods we used. Lemons are considered a “decent” source of potassium, so this result made sense. 2 mg/L of chloride was also detected, along with 1.49 mg/L magnesium and equal amounts (1.1 mg/L) of sulfate and calcium. Finally, phosphorus was detected at a concentration of 1.5 mg/L.
9 trace elements were also detected in low, below-HGL concentrations:
- 0.098 mg/L zinc
- 0.005 mg/L copper
- 0.0005 mg/L barium
- 0.0023 mg/L chromium
- 0.0029 mg/L manganese
- 0.0006 mg/L vanadium
- 0.011 mg/L strontium
- 1.5 mg/L phosphorus
- 0.3 mg/L fluoride
Our water mixed with lemon juice actually contained the largest quantity of trace elements of all the products and methods we tested, but it was the only method that had no HGL exceedances. It was also one of the only methods to not introduce any sodium, and it had the lowest chloride introductions of all methods tested.
| Parameter | Value (mg/L) | HGL Exceeded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 3.0 | No | Most acidic |
| TDS | 377 | No | Acceptable (WHO) |
| Potassium | 25 | No | Highest of all methods |
| Magnesium | 1.49 | No | Low |
| Calcium | 1.1 | No | Low |
| Phosphorus | 1.5 | No | Only method with this |
| Contaminants | None | No | Cleanest method tested |
Our Verdict
Our testing showed that lemon juice makes water acidic. This can have taste and dental health implications, with a King’s College London study finding that people who had twice-daily drinks such as water with lemon were more than 11 times more at risk of moderate-to-severe tooth erosion. While the lemon juice added a modest amount of potassium and trace nutrients, it’s clearly not suitable as the only method for remineralizing RO or distilled water due to its acidity.
ConcenTrace
ConcenTrace is a product that’s marketed to be “America’s best-selling trace mineral supplement”. It contains “all-natural” trace minerals and is said to support bone, joint, and teeth health, restore electrolytes, and promote efficient hydration. In our research, ConcenTrace was the most frequently mentioned product in forums, with many citing it as a “good product”.
Our Dosing
We referenced the ConcenTrace product label to determine dosing. The label states that you should add 20–40 drops per gallon to remineralize RO/distilled water. We took the middle ground with a dose of 30 drops per gallon, equating to 3.75 drops per 500 mL (we rounded up to 4 drops).
Our Test Data
After mixing with ConcenTrace, our water had a virtually unchanged pH of 6.4. The product claims to be “pH-balancing”, which means it should adjust the pH of water so that it’s neither acidic nor alkaline. So, it was mildly surprising to see that the pH of our water wasn’t brought up to a neutral 7.0. The dosed water had a TDS of 180 mg/L, putting it in the WHO’s “ideal” range.
3 major ions were detected: 28.5 mg/L of magnesium, 87 mg/L of chloride, and 6.2 mg/L of sulfate. 3 trace elements were also detected:
- 0.303 mg/L lithium, exceeding the HGL of 0.01 mg/L
- 0.0011 mg/L of arsenic, also exceeding the HGL of 0 mg/L
- 0.232 mg/L of boron
You might be wondering why a product that’s specifically intended to improve the nutritional value of water would contain these unwanted contaminants. The answer can be found at the source.
| Parameter | Value (mg/L) | HGL Exceeded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.4 | No | Slightly acidic |
| TDS | 180 | No | In WHO "ideal" range |
| Magnesium | 28.5 | No | Beneficial mineral |
| Chloride | 87 | No | Neutral |
| Sulfate | 6.2 | No | Neutral |
| Lithium | 0.303 | Yes | HGL: 0.01 |
| Arsenic | 0.0011 | Yes | HGL: 0 |
| Boron | 0.232 | Close | HGL: 0.5 |
ConcenTrace isn’t a synthetically manufactured supplement; it’s derived from the Great Salt Lake, Utah. According to a 2023 report by Brigham Young University, the lake is experiencing “ongoing collapse” due to excessive water use, which is exposing lakebed sediments that have collected pollutants from human activities and natural sources. Arsenic is one of the pollutants listed as detected in the Great Salt Lake sediment. The lake is also a known source of lithium (in fact, companies are actively developing methods to extract it for use in EV batteries), and boron is another naturally occurring element found in the drainage basin.
Trace mineral drops like ConcenTrace are usually made by concentrating the dissolved minerals left behind after large volumes of water are evaporated. The extraction process captures the source water’s entire mineral profile, hence the presence of these unwanted contaminants in our testing.
Our Verdict
ConcenTrace provides useful magnesium, as highlighted by our test data, but it didn’t exactly balance the pH of our water as advertised. Concerningly, it also introduced arsenic and lithium above health guidelines, and this is primarily why we wouldn’t recommend it for remineralization purposes. It added no detectable sodium, calcium, or potassium, which was pretty surprising given that it’s said to contain “a full spectrum of naturally-occurring ionic trace minerals”.
Aussie Trace Minerals
Aussie Trace Minerals is another liquid mineral drops product, described as a “pure Ionic Trace Mineral solution” that’s made from sodium-reduced, solar-concentrated ocean water. It’s marketed to contain more than 70 essential minerals and trace elements, and we also found it mentioned favorably across a number of forum discussions.
Our Dosing
The serving size for Aussie Trace Minerals is 20 drops per 500–1000 mL of water, equating to 0.02–0.04 drops per mL. We used a dose of 15 drops per 500 mL in our testing, over 3x the amount of ConcenTrace drops used.
Our Test Data
The pH of our water mixed with Aussie Trace Minerals had increased to 7.8, making it slightly alkaline. TDS increased to 695 mg/L, just edging into the WHO’s “fair” category for TDS in drinking water.
113 mg/L of magnesium was detected, along with 10.8 mg/L of potassium, 45.4 mg/L of sulfate, 7.9 mg/L of sodium, and 185 mg/L of chloride. It’s unsurprising that the concentrations of all minerals and impurities were higher with Aussie Trace Minerals than with ConcenTrace, as the manufacturer’s recommended dosing was also higher. While not always true, we can generally assume that the higher the dose, the greater the concentrations of minerals.
Four additional trace elements were present:
- 0.0007 mg/L of arsenic, exceeding the HGL of 0 mg/L
- 0.521 mg/L of boron, exceeding the HGL of 0.5 mg/L
- 0.0044 mg/L of selenium
- 0.1 mg/L of fluoride
Aussie Trace Minerals is sourced from the Southern Australian coast. The drops are harvested from treated seawater, and it’s fair to assume that coastal Australia is a geologically contrasting landscape to Utah (where the ConcenTrace drops are sourced).
Australia’s coastal waters are known to contain arsenic, with a study finding dissolved inorganic arsenic concentrations ranging from 1.10 to 1.61 μg (micrograms) across sampling stations. Boron is a natural constituent of minerals in Australia and is widely distributed, while fluoride and selenium naturally found in most water sources, including Australia’s coast.
| Parameter | Value (mg/L) | HGL Exceeded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.8 | No | Slightly alkaline |
| TDS | 695 | No | Fair" range (WHO) |
| Magnesium | 113 | No | High beneficial amount |
| Potassium | 10.8 | No | Moderate |
| Sodium | 7.9 | No | Low |
| Chloride | 185 | No | Higher |
| Boron | 0.521 | Yes | HGL: 0.5 |
| Arsenic | 0.0007 | Yes | HGL: 0 |
Our Verdict
Aussie Trace Minerals is a strong remineralizer, particularly when it comes to magnesium supplementation, and it doesn’t exceed EPA recommendations for sodium. However, boron and arsenic were both detected in concentrations exceeding health guidelines, and because of this, we don’t recommend this product for remineralizing RO or distilled water.
Anderson’s Sea M.D.
Anderson’s Sea M.D is a concentrated trace minerals product that, like the ConcenTrace drops, is sourced from Utah’s Great Salt Lake. It’s described as being “packed with magnesium, chloride, sulfate”, and a “full spectrum” of trace minerals that the human body needs, while also being low in sodium.
Our Dosing
The manufacturer’s recommended dose for Anderson’s Sea M.D. is 2.0 mL, and label guidance varies with volume. We used a dose of 14 drops in our 500 mL sample.
Our Test Data
Anderson’s Sea M.D. had the biggest influence on alkalinity of all the products we tested, resulting in a pH reading of 8.4. The TDS concentration of our water measured at 793 mg/L, putting it in the “fair” category in terms of taste effects.
4 major ions were detected in our water: 136 mg/L magnesium (the highest of all products in our testing), 24.3 mg/L sulfate, 447 mg/L chloride, and 1.8 mg/L sodium. 5 additional trace elements were also introduced:
- 1.39 mg/L lithium, exceeding the HGL of 0.01 mg/L
- 0.96 mg/L boron, exceeding the HGL of 0.5 mg/L
- 0.0049 mg/L arsenic, exceeding the HGL of 0 mg/L
- 0.0007 mg/L molybdenum
- 0.0018 mg/L selenium
That means Anderson’s Sea M.D has the most health-related HGL exceedances of any remineralization product or method we tested.
| Parameter | Value (mg/L) | HGL Exceeded? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 8.4 | No | Most alkaline |
| TDS | 793 | No | Fair range (WHO) |
| Magnesium | 136 | No | Highest of all methods |
| Sodium | 1.8 | No | Very low |
| Chloride | 447 | No | High |
| Boron | 0.96 | Yes | HGL: 0.5 |
| Lithium | 1.39 | Yes | HGL: 0.01 |
| Arsenic | 0.0049 | Yes | HGL: 0 |
It’s interesting to see how this data compares to the ConcenTrace data, since both products are derived from the same source. Lithium, arsenic (both exceeding the HGL), and boron were also detected in our ConcenTrace testing, but Anderson’s Sea M.D. is unique in its molybdenum and selenium introductions. This could have been due to processing differences or batch variability—Utah’s Great Salt Lake is huge, after all.
Our Verdict
While Anderson’s Sea M.D. provides the most magnesium, it also had the most health-related exceedances (for arsenic, lithium, and boron) in our testing. Because it introduces contaminants into purified water, we wouldn’t recommend it for remineralization purposes.
| Product | pH | TDS | Mg (mg/L) | Na (mg/L) | Contaminants Above HGL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConcenTrace | 6.4 | 180 | 28.5 | 0 | Arsenic, Lithium, Boron |
| Aussie Trace | 7.80 | 695 | 113 | 7.9 | Arsenic, Boron |
| Anderson’s Sea M.D. | 8.4 | 793 | 136 | 1.8 | Arsenic, Lithium, Boron, Molybdenum, Selenium |
Comparative Analysis
Having tested three popular methods of distilled/RO water remineralization, we can identify pros and cons for each approach.
| Method | Salt (Himalayan/Celtic) | Lemon Juice | Trace Drops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Adds some Ca/Mg | Natural, No contaminants | High in Mg |
| Cons | High sodium, Arsenic/Aluminum | Acidic, Low mineral content | Introduced multiple contaminants |
- Salts raised sodium/chloride dramatically, meaning they’re not a practical remineralization choice for drinking water. Both salts also introduced trace metals in our testing.
- Lemon added acidity and low concentrations of minerals, making it a less effective remineralization method with possible long-term dental health implications. However, no harmful contaminants were introduced by lemon juice in our testing.
- Trace drops were effective at adding magnesium, but the products we tested introduced health-related contaminants, including arsenic, lithium, and boron, with many exceeding HGLs.
This data demonstrates that no tested method is capable of achieving our testing objective: to perfectly recreate spring water.
Key Takeaways
To conclude, every remineralization method we tested came with trade-offs. Lemon juice lowered pH and made the water acidic, salts raised sodium to levels that aren’t practical for everyday drinking, and mineral drops introduced beneficial electrolytes the most effectively but also brought along unwanted contaminants.
When you’re choosing which method to remineralize your distilled or RO water, we recommend weighing the added minerals against the potential for unwanted contaminants, then deciding which balance (if any) makes the most sense for you.
Or use a reverse osmosis system that has built in remineralization, like the Aquatru or Cloud RO, both of which did not introduce any unwanted contaminants along with minerals.