Reverse Osmosis Water?

[King of Cascade]

Here's some science:

2004 WHO Report

This references distilled water but from the standpoint of mineral content it also applies to R/O.

"If distilled water is ingested, the intestine has to add electrolytes to this water first, taking them from the body reserves. Since the body never eliminates fluid in form of "pure"water but always together with salts, adequate intake of electrolytes must be ensured. Ingestion of distilled water leads to the dilution of the electrolytes dissolved in the body water. Inadequate body water redistribution between compartments may compromise the function of vital organs. Symptoms at the very beginning of this condition include tiredness, weakness and headache; more severe symptoms are muscular cramps and impaired heart rate."

The report uses words like “Preliminary evidence suggest” and “May Cause”
I do see why you would be concerned reading one report. I read this report before buying my R/O system along with many other newer reports and found it to be totally safe. This report written by the world health organization is for developing countries were there citizens have poor diets and rely on the trace elements in the water as a supplement.

 

[arturo7]

The report uses words like “Preliminary evidence suggest” and “May Cause”

Of course it uses those words, it is a 22 page report. However, those qualifiers are not present in the section cited. There are other reference materials that agree with this section of the report.

If you can post something that refutes that paragraph I'll be happy to read it. If I'm wrong I get to learn something new.

 

[bradneal]

BS? You should probably do your homework before making comments like that.

I wouldn't recommend it for human consumption as it pretty much strips the water of its minerals and taste...this is BS

You only need the minerals from water if you are not eating a proper diet and as far as taste go, what kind of taste do you want in your water? For me I like it tasteless.



But as for using RO/DI for drinking or brewing, I don't recommend it

This is exactly what you want for drinking and brewing. For 5 gallons I use 1 table spoon calcium chloride for malty beers and 1 table spoon gypsum for bitter beers. I don’t usually make dark beers but add some chalk or baking soda for those to DI/RO water for great beer.

 

[King of Cascade]

BS? You should probably do your homework before making comments like that.

"That" is pretty vague. Would you like to say what you consider BS in that statement?

 

[Bobby_M]

Bobby,
Just wondering why you feel a 50/50 cut is best for extract? I guess I always felt like distilled (or RO) would be best because it is pure h2o and that is what will evaporate off when the extract is being made.

I shouldn't have made such a short comment and generalized. The water used in the creation of extract is generally unknown to the brewer. Is the ion content the bare minimum for good extraction and perhaps a low level, but balanced CL:S04 ratio? 100% RO is probably best for delicate light bodied beers like pils and other pale lagers/ales. Of course they can still benefit from an S04 boost if it's a hoppy beer and the reverse for a malty beer.

 

[King of Cascade]

BS? You should probably do your homework before making comments like that.

You should do you homework as well….some people think R/O water is bad for you and others feel the chlorine, lead, mercury and other toxins in tap water is bad for you. Pick your poison dude. I prefer to take a multi vitamin and drink R/O water.