Does Distilled Water Dry You Out? The Truth About Purity and Hydration

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

With the human body comprising roughly 60% water, effective hydration is crucial for health. This raises the question: does distilled water dry you out, or is it a perfectly suitable way to hydrate? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

Quick Summary

Drinking distilled water does not actively cause dehydration, but its lack of minerals and electrolytes can lead to imbalances if not managed with a proper diet.

Key Points

Not Dehydrating: Distilled water provides hydration like any other water, but its lack of minerals affects the body's electrolyte balance.
Electrolyte Imbalance: The absence of electrolytes in distilled water means the body must use its own reserves to process the fluid, which can cause an imbalance if not properly replaced through diet.
Mineral Deficiency Risk: Exclusive, long-term reliance on distilled water can lead to a deficiency in essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, especially with a poor diet.
Dietary Minerals are Key: The body primarily obtains its minerals from a balanced diet, so the risk of deficiency from distilled water is low if you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Appropriate Uses: Distilled water is a good choice for medical equipment, humidifiers, and appliances where mineral-free water is necessary to prevent buildup.

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is produced through a process called distillation, which involves boiling water into a vapor and then condensing the steam back into a liquid state in a separate container. This process leaves behind virtually all impurities, including contaminants, heavy metals, and, most importantly for this discussion, dissolved minerals and electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The result is exceptionally pure H2O, often used in medical settings and appliances to prevent mineral buildup.

The Misconception of 'Drying You Out'

The idea that drinking distilled water directly 'dries you out' is a common myth. In reality, the water itself provides hydration, but the issue lies in what is missing from it. Your body requires a balance of water and electrolytes to function properly. Electrolytes are crucial for nerve and muscle function, fluid regulation, and maintaining the body's acid-base balance. Since distilled water contains none of these, relying on it exclusively for hydration, especially during or after intense physical activity, can lead to problems.

The Electrolyte Imbalance Issue

When you sweat or urinate, your body expels not only water but also electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium. Drinking regular water helps replace both. However, when you drink distilled water, you are only replacing the fluid. To process this mineral-deficient water, your body may use its own stored electrolytes, leading to a net loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that drinking demineralized water could increase urine output and result in an electrolyte imbalance. This does not mean the water is 'leaching' minerals from your bones, a widely debunked myth, but rather that your body's regulatory systems are working to maintain balance, which can lead to a deficit if your diet isn't sufficiently rich in minerals.

Long-Term Risks of Exclusive Distilled Water Consumption

For a healthy person with a balanced diet, drinking distilled water in moderation is generally safe. Your food intake is the primary source of essential minerals. However, long-term, exclusive consumption without a mineral-rich diet can lead to several adverse effects:

Mineral Deficiency: The ongoing lack of dietary calcium and magnesium, in particular, can lead to deficiencies with symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and muscle cramps.
Poor Taste: The absence of minerals gives distilled water a bland, flat taste that some people find unappealing, which could lead to reduced overall water intake.
Slight Acidity: When exposed to air, distilled water can absorb carbon dioxide, forming a very weak carbonic acid. This slight acidity is not dangerous for most people, but it's another difference from typical tap water.
Not Ideal for Rehydration: For athletes or individuals with severe dehydration, distilled water is a poor choice. Electrolyte-enhanced sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions are far more effective at restoring balance.

Distilled Water vs. Tap Water

Here is a quick comparison of key differences between distilled water and municipal tap water for drinking purposes:


Feature	Distilled Water	Tap Water (Municipal)
Mineral Content	Virtually none; minerals are removed during distillation.	Varies by location; contains trace amounts of naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Purity	Exceptionally pure, free of most contaminants, bacteria, and heavy metals.	Generally safe to drink in developed countries, but may contain trace amounts of contaminants or additives like chlorine and fluoride.
Taste	Often described as flat or bland due to the absence of minerals.	Flavor varies based on mineral content and local treatment processes.
Health Concerns	Risk of electrolyte imbalance and mineral deficiency with long-term, exclusive consumption, especially with poor diet.	Generally safe, but local issues with contaminants are possible.
Recommended Use	Medical equipment, appliances, specific industrial applications, and short-term human consumption.	Everyday drinking and cooking for most healthy individuals.

When Is Distilled Water a Good Choice?

Despite the potential downsides for exclusive long-term use, distilled water has several benefits and is the preferred choice for specific applications:

Medical Equipment: Using distilled water in CPAP machines, autoclaves, and humidifiers prevents the mineral buildup that can damage components and affect performance.
Laboratory Use: The purity of distilled water makes it ideal for lab tests where trace minerals could interfere with results.
Appliances: Steam irons, car batteries, and other appliances benefit from distilled water, as it prevents scale deposits and corrosion.
High-Contaminant Water Sources: For those living in areas with compromised tap water and without access to other purification methods, distilled water can be a safer, short-term option to avoid pathogens and heavy metals.

Conclusion

So, does distilled water dry you out? No, the water itself hydrates you. The risk lies in the complete absence of electrolytes, which can lead to an electrolyte imbalance over time if your dietary intake of minerals is not sufficient. For most people, consuming distilled water as part of a varied diet is not a problem. However, relying on it as the sole source of hydration, especially during vigorous exercise or illness, is ill-advised. The best approach for most healthy individuals is to stick with tap, purified, or spring water, which contains beneficial trace minerals. If you choose to drink distilled water regularly, be sure to maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to replace the minerals you are missing.

For more information on the guidelines for drinking water, you can consult the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can drink distilled water daily, but for most people, it should not be your sole source of hydration, especially long-term. If you maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, drinking distilled water is generally safe as it won't impact your mineral balance significantly.

This is a myth. Distilled water does not actively leach minerals from your bones or tissues. However, because it contains no electrolytes, your body's systems may draw upon its own reserves to maintain fluid balance, which can lead to a deficiency if not addressed through diet.

Yes, many people find distilled water to have a bland or flat taste. This is because the distillation process removes all the dissolved minerals and gases that give other types of water their flavor.

Not necessarily for daily drinking. While distilled water is free of contaminants, tap water often contains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. For most healthy individuals, tap water is a more balanced option.

No, athletes should avoid relying solely on distilled water during or after intense training. Heavy sweating depletes electrolytes, and distilled water will not replenish them. Sports drinks or electrolyte-rich water are better for rehydration in these scenarios.

It is safe to prepare baby formula with distilled water, but it's important to consult a pediatrician. For infants, it should not be their only source of water, and some experts suggest sterilizing even distilled water for very young babies.

If you experience a mineral deficiency from drinking only distilled water over a long period, you might feel fatigue, muscle weakness, cramps, or headaches.