Distilled water is safe to drink as part of a balanced diet. Distilled water is the result of a purification process. This process removes contaminants, as well as minerals and nutrients.
While reaching for a glass of water may seem simple, there are many different types of water available to drink, including tap, spring, well, and distilled water.
Each type of water has benefits, but some carry risks. Distilled water comes from the steam of boiling water. Boiling the water removes minerals and other impurities, leaving the distilled water in a “purer” state.
Because of this, some people believe that drinking distilled water can help cleanse the body of unnecessary chemicals. Other people, however, think that the minerals present in drinking water are necessary for good health.
This article explores the qualities of distilled water compared with other types of water and analyzes whether it is safe and healthy to drink.
Almost all water has some impurities. These impurities can include:
- minerals
- nutrients
- contaminants
The boiling and evaporation processes necessary to create distilled water remove these impurities. Some people think that distilled water tastes flat because it lacks metals, minerals, and other inorganic compounds.
In essence, distilled water is not very different from other types of purified water. The only thing that differs is the purification process.
Distillation is an old method of water purification. It is a relatively complicated process and difficult to do at home without a water distillation machine.
Many municipalities in seaside communities use distillation facilities to treat ocean water, which their residents use as drinking water.
Distilled water is safe to drink as part of a balanced diet.
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On the whole, drinking distilled water is not problematic. Many people from different cultures eat a varied diet and get their hydration and nutrition from a variety of sources. Adults who eat a balanced diet can drink distilled water if they prefer this method of water purification.
The main risks of drinking only distilled water may relate to its lack of minerals, including magnesium and calcium.
According to an older report from the World Health Organization (WHO), some of the adverse effects of drinking just distilled or low mineral water include:
- a flat taste that many people find unappealing, which may lead to reduced water consumption
- a decrease in the body’s metabolic function
- an increase in urine output that could result in electrolyte imbalance
According to the WHO, these and other associated health problems may be partly due to the lack of minerals and electrolytes in distilled water. This may lead to changes in the balance of nutrients in the body.
When the body loses water through sweating and urine output, it loses sodium and other minerals in addition to water. For the body to function properly, a person must replace those minerals.
Drinking distilled water will not replace minerals lost through sweat, as all additives and minerals will have been removed during the distillation process.
A 2022 review supports this, suggesting long term consumption of demineralized water may lead to a lower quality of the intake of certain nutrients. However, the researchers conclude that more research is necessary.
If a person eats a balanced diet with the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, they should not become deficient. When people eat and drink a variety of foods and drinks, they may get the salts and minerals they need from these other sources.
It is not dangerous to drink distilled water as part of a balanced diet. A balanced diet should include foods that replace any minerals lost through sweat.
Because water has no calories or sugar, it can be a more beneficial choice than sodas and fruit juices to keep hydrated. Sodas and fruit juices may contain added sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and damage the teeth.
Potential advantages of distilled water include:
- Better hydration: Drinking any type of water, including distilled water, can help people to stay hydrated. Most adults should aim to drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily.
- Reducing the risk of disease: Distillation removes waterborne pathogens. Waterborne disease-causing bacteria may not survive distillation.
- Reducing the risk of consuming harmful chemicals: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows for very low levels of certain harmful chemicals in drinking water. Distillation may remove these chemicals entirely.
When drinking distilled water, a person is consuming water with no other additives. Because distilled water is pure, some people believe it can be cleansing for the body, though scientific research is necessary to support this.
When choosing drinking water, a person may want to consider the following factors:
- the quality of the local tap water
- their taste preference
- the quality of vitamins and minerals in the diet
- the cost point
- the availability of other types of drinking water
It can be a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional before drinking distilled water. They can help a person ensure they get the right balance of nutrients from the rest of their diet to ensure distilled water has no adverse effects.
The process of distillation removes minerals and chemicals from water. Distilled water may be safe to drink with no adverse effects as long as a person gets the recommended balance of nutrients from the rest of their diet.
For some people, long term consumption of distilled water may lead to deficiencies in certain nutrients. If a person does not like the taste of this water, they may also not drink enough to hydrate themselves.
People can speak with a healthcare professional about the potential benefits and risks of distilled water and whether it is suitable for them.