Are You Supposed to Drink Vapor-Distilled Water? The Facts on Purity and Health

December 21, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, while most of our minerals come from food, consuming demineralized water may be linked to adverse health effects over time. This brings up an important question: are you supposed to drink vapor-distilled water, or is it best for specific, non-consumptive purposes?

Quick Summary

Vapor-distilled water is exceptionally pure, created by boiling water into steam and then re-condensing it, but this process removes nearly all contaminants and beneficial minerals. Long-term consumption may lead to mineral imbalances, while filtered water offers a better balance for daily hydration. Vapor-distilled water is most appropriate for appliances and short-term medical uses.

Key Points

Not for Daily Hydration: Vapor-distilled water lacks essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, making it unsuitable for consistent, long-term drinking.
Risk of Mineral Deficiency: Over time, exclusively drinking demineralized water could lead to electrolyte imbalances and mineral deficiencies, impacting health.
Superior for Appliances: The lack of minerals is a key benefit for appliances like CPAP machines and steam irons, as it prevents mineral buildup and damage.
Safe for Short-Term Use: For specific medical needs or short periods, it can be used safely, especially for those needing to avoid trace contaminants.
Better Options Exist: Filtered or spring water, which retain beneficial minerals, are generally better and healthier options for daily consumption.

What is Vapor-Distilled Water?

Vapor distillation is a water purification process that mimics the Earth's natural hydrologic cycle. First, water is boiled, turning it into steam. This process leaves behind heavier contaminants, such as inorganic minerals, heavy metals like lead and arsenic, and microorganisms. The pure steam is then collected and cooled, condensing it back into its liquid form. This results in water that is virtually free of dissolved solids and impurities, considered one of the purest forms of water available.

The Purification Process in Detail

Many commercial vapor distillation methods are highly advanced, often involving multiple stages to ensure maximum purity. Some systems include pre-filtration steps, while others use additional compression and cooling to intensify the purification. This creates a final product that is exceptionally clean, but also devoid of nearly all minerals that were originally present in the source water.

The Health and Safety of Drinking Vapor-Distilled Water

While vapor-distilled water is chemically pure, its suitability for long-term daily consumption is a topic of debate among health experts. The primary concern is the lack of naturally occurring minerals, like calcium and magnesium, which play vital roles in bodily functions.

Potential Downsides to Regular Consumption

Mineral Deficiency: Your body requires essential minerals, and while most come from food, water can be a supplementary source. Long-term reliance on distilled water, especially with a suboptimal diet, could potentially lead to mineral deficiencies.
Electrolyte Imbalance: The absence of electrolytes like potassium and sodium in distilled water can be problematic, particularly for athletes or those who sweat heavily. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that drinking demineralized water may cause the body to lose precious electrolytes.
Poor Taste Characteristics: The minerals in water contribute to its flavor profile. Without them, distilled water often tastes bland or 'flat,' which can reduce overall water consumption.
Aggressive Nature: Demineralized water is chemically 'hungry' and will actively absorb substances it comes into contact with. This can mean it leaches small amounts of minerals from the body or, if stored in plastic, can absorb chemicals from the container.

Benefits in Specific Situations

Despite the risks for everyday hydration, vapor-distilled water is highly valuable for certain applications:

Medical Equipment: Devices like CPAP machines and humidifiers require mineral-free water to prevent damaging mineral buildup.
Sterilization: It is used in laboratories and medical settings for equipment sterilization where absolute purity is crucial.
Short-Term Use: For individuals on specific diets or needing a short-term cleanse, it can be useful under medical supervision.

Vapor-Distilled vs. Other Water Types

To better understand where vapor-distilled water fits in, it's helpful to compare it to other common water options:


Feature	Vapor-Distilled Water	Filtered Water	Spring Water
Purification Method	Boiling into steam, then re-condensing	Passing through a filter (carbon, RO)	Sourced from a natural spring
Mineral Content	Almost none	Retains most naturally occurring minerals	Contains natural minerals
Purity Level	Exceptionally high, removes nearly everything	Removes many contaminants, but some may remain	Subject to natural contaminants, though typically filtered
Taste	Often described as bland or flat	Natural, crisp taste from minerals	Taste varies with mineral composition
Best For	Appliances (CPAP, irons), medical use, short-term detox	Everyday drinking and cooking	Everyday drinking and hydration

Conclusion: So, Should You Drink It?

For the vast majority of healthy individuals, vapor-distilled water is not the ideal choice for long-term daily hydration. While safe for occasional use and essential for specific appliances, its lack of minerals and electrolytes makes it less beneficial than filtered or spring water for sustaining overall health. Your body needs a balanced source of minerals, which you get from food and can supplement through drinking water. Choosing a water source that retains these natural minerals, such as filtered or spring water, is the better option for consistent health and hydration. For those with specific health concerns, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare provider regarding the best water source for your needs.

Here is an interesting resource from the CDC on safe drinking water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is generally safe for occasional or short-term consumption. However, it is not recommended for long-term, daily use because it lacks essential minerals and electrolytes that your body needs.

Some evidence suggests that demineralized water can be 'hungry' and may leach minerals from your body's tissues in the absence of dietary minerals. The best source of minerals, however, comes from a balanced diet, not your drinking water.

Not exactly. Distilled water is a type of purified water, but not all purified water is distilled. Purified water is a broad term for water treated to meet purity standards, which can also include reverse osmosis or other advanced filtration methods.

The flat taste is due to the complete absence of dissolved minerals and solids. It's the minerals in water that give it a familiar taste profile, so without them, it tastes bland.

While it won't damage the machine, the lack of minerals may result in a less flavorful cup of coffee. The minerals in water react with coffee compounds to create a richer flavor.

That depends on your tap water quality. For avoiding contaminants, distillation is very effective. However, for long-term health and hydration, tap water with a good filter is often superior because it retains beneficial minerals.

Yes, some people add a pinch of Himalayan salt or use mineral drops to remineralize distilled water for better taste and health benefits. This can be a way to create a purer, customized drinking water.