Does Purified Water Have Any Nutritional Value? The Complete Guide

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that drinking water is typically a minimal source of minerals for most individuals. This brings into question a common query: does purified water have any nutritional value? The straight answer is very little, and for most people, this is perfectly fine.

Quick Summary

Purified water, created through processes like reverse osmosis or distillation, has virtually no nutritional content. The intensive filtration removes nearly all dissolved solids and trace minerals, but the body primarily obtains its essential nutrients from a balanced diet, not from its hydration source.

Key Points

No Nutritional Value: Purified water contains almost no nutritional content because the filtration processes remove nearly all dissolved minerals.
Minerals Removed: Intensive processes like reverse osmosis and distillation strip away minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Diet is Key: For most healthy people, the majority of essential mineral intake should come from a balanced diet, not water.
Primary Benefit is Safety: The main advantage of purified water is its high level of cleanliness and safety due to the removal of harmful contaminants and chemicals.
Re-mineralization is an Option: Some reverse osmosis systems add beneficial minerals back into the water after purification to improve taste and provide electrolytes.
Does Not Cause Deficiency Alone: A mineral deficiency from drinking purified water is unlikely if you have an otherwise healthy diet.

Understanding Purified Water and Its Composition

Purified water is water that has been mechanically processed to remove impurities, including chemicals, bacteria, heavy metals, and dissolved solids. This results in water that is exceptionally clean but, depending on the method, often stripped of its natural minerals as well. The lack of nutritional value is a direct consequence of the purification process, which is designed for purity, not nutrient retention.

Unlike spring water, which absorbs minerals as it flows through rock formations, purified water's journey is one of intensive filtration. For example, reverse osmosis (RO) forces water through a semipermeable membrane that traps up to 99% of contaminants and most minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Distillation, another common method, involves boiling water and condensing the steam, leaving all solid residues behind. This makes distilled water arguably the purest form of water but also the most devoid of minerals.

The Role of Water vs. Food for Mineral Intake

For healthy individuals with a balanced diet, the trace minerals found in unpurified water, such as tap water or spring water, contribute a negligible amount to their overall mineral intake. The majority of essential minerals—like calcium, magnesium, and potassium—should come from food sources. Therefore, relying on drinking water for nutrition is inefficient and unnecessary for most people. The true nutritional value of water is simply hydration, a fundamental requirement for every cell and bodily function.

The Potential Downsides and Modern Solutions

One concern raised about drinking exclusively demineralized water is the potential for long-term mineral deficiencies, particularly if a person's diet is also lacking. This is especially relevant for athletes who lose electrolytes through sweat or individuals on restrictive diets. However, the human body is quite capable of maintaining its electrolyte balance, provided overall nutritional intake is adequate.

Fortunately, modern solutions have addressed this potential drawback. Many reverse osmosis systems now include a remineralization stage. After the intensive filtration, these systems pass the water through a mineral filter that adds back healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium, improving the taste and nutritional profile. This gives consumers the best of both worlds: water free from harmful contaminants with the added benefit of essential electrolytes.

Benefits of Purified Water Beyond Nutrition

Removal of Contaminants: The primary benefit of purified water is its safety. It removes a wide range of harmful contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals like chlorine, which can pose health risks.
Improved Taste and Odor: By removing impurities, purified water often has a cleaner, more neutral taste and odor compared to tap water, which can have varying flavors based on its source.
Better for Sensitive Groups: For vulnerable populations, such as young children, pregnant women, or those with weakened immune systems, purified water offers an extra layer of protection against waterborne contaminants.

Purified Water vs. Other Water Types: A Quick Comparison


Feature	Purified Water	Spring Water	Remineralized RO Water
Source	Any water source (tap, groundwater)	Natural underground source	Any water source (tap)
Filtration	Intensive (RO, distillation, deionization)	Natural filtration through rock layers	Intensive (RO), then remineralized
Mineral Content	Very low to zero	Contains naturally occurring minerals	Contains added minerals for taste/nutrition
Taste	Neutral, sometimes described as 'flat'	Varies based on source and minerals	Clean and refreshing with a balanced flavor
Primary Benefit	Maximum contaminant removal	Natural mineral content	Safety of purification plus taste/electrolytes

Conclusion: A Clear Choice for Clean Hydration

Ultimately, when it comes to the question, "does purified water have any nutritional value?", the answer is a resounding no. However, this is not a deficiency to be concerned about for the vast majority of people with a balanced diet. The main role of water is not to provide nutrients but to hydrate the body, and purified water excels at providing a clean, safe, and pleasant-tasting way to do so. For those with special dietary needs or who prefer the added mineral content, remineralized reverse osmosis systems offer a perfect compromise. The decision to choose purified water should be based on your desire for clean, contaminant-free hydration, rather than its minimal nutritional contributions.

For more information on ensuring your water quality and understanding the role of minerals from various sources, consult the World Health Organization's guidelines on drinking water quality at who.int.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, purified water is nearly devoid of minerals. Processes like distillation and reverse osmosis are so effective that they remove almost all dissolved solids, including trace minerals naturally found in water.

A mineral deficiency from drinking only purified water is unlikely for most people who have a balanced diet rich in fruits, grains, and other foods. The minerals from water contribute minimally to daily requirements.

No, they are different. Spring water comes from an underground source and contains natural minerals. Purified water can come from any source and has undergone intensive processing to remove all impurities and minerals.

Yes, purified water often has a cleaner, more neutral taste compared to tap water. This is because the purification process removes chemicals like chlorine and trace minerals that can affect flavor.

Remineralized purified water is water that first undergoes an intensive purification process, such as reverse osmosis, and then has essential minerals like calcium and magnesium added back in for better taste and nutritional balance.

Yes, it is safe to cook with purified water. In fact, some evidence suggests that cooking with mineralized water can cause food to leach some of its own nutrients, while purified water does not have this effect.

While some demineralized water may be slightly acidic, the body's internal mechanisms are robust and effectively regulate your pH balance, so drinking purified water does not significantly impact it.