Is distilled water the healthiest water you can drink? Unpacking the Myths and Facts

October 6, 2025 •

3 min read

Distilled water, produced by boiling and re-condensing steam, is one of the purest forms of water available. Yet, does its high purity mean that distilled water is the healthiest water you can drink for your body's overall nutrition? This question requires a closer look at what the distillation process removes and how that impacts human health and hydration.

Quick Summary

Distilled water is created by boiling and condensing steam, effectively removing contaminants and minerals. While it is safe for occasional consumption, it lacks essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, making it less ideal for long-term daily hydration without supplemental dietary intake. Its purity is beneficial for specific medical or mechanical uses.

Key Points

Not the Healthiest Choice: While extremely pure, distilled water is not the healthiest option for daily hydration because it lacks beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Dietary Balance is Crucial: Long-term consumption of distilled water requires a balanced, mineral-rich diet to compensate for the missing nutrients and prevent deficiencies.
Not for Athletes: Due to the absence of electrolytes, distilled water is ineffective at replenishing minerals lost through heavy sweating, which can lead to imbalances.
Best for Specific Uses: The purity of distilled water makes it ideal for medical equipment, laboratory use, and household appliances where mineral buildup is undesirable.
Myth Busting: The claim that distilled water leaches minerals from your body is largely unfounded; the actual risk comes from consistently low mineral intake.
Remineralization is Possible: Minerals can be added back to distilled water using mineral drops, Himalayan salt, or specialized remineralization filters.
Taste is a Factor: The absence of minerals results in a bland or flat taste that can deter some people from drinking enough water for proper hydration.

The Allure of Pure Water: Benefits of Distilled Water

Distilled water's extreme purity is its main advantage. It's free of bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and other contaminants, making it potentially useful in areas with poor tap water quality or for individuals with compromised immune systems. However, its benefits are often seen in specialized applications rather than general drinking.

Free of Contaminants: Highly effective at removing various pollutants.
Ideal for Appliances: Prevents mineral scale buildup in devices like CPAP machines and irons, extending their lifespan.
Best for Precise Applications: Essential in medical and laboratory settings where purity is critical.

The Missing Minerals: The Case Against Regular Consumption

The removal of essential minerals is the primary reason distilled water is not recommended for long-term daily consumption. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, removed during distillation, are important for various bodily functions, contributing to overall mineral intake.

Nutrient Deficiency: Lack of minerals like calcium and magnesium can contribute to deficiencies over time if not compensated for by diet.

Electrolyte Imbalance: Distilled water does not replenish electrolytes lost through sweat, potentially leading to imbalances, especially for active individuals.

Flat Taste and Reduced Intake: The absence of minerals results in a bland taste, which may lead to reduced water consumption and potential dehydration.

Is Distilled Water an "Aggressive" Leacher? Addressing the Myths

The idea that distilled water aggressively leaches minerals from the body is a myth. While demineralized water can slightly affect mineral balance and increase urine output, the body's regulatory systems manage these effects in healthy individuals with adequate diets. The concern is not active leaching, but rather the long-term impact of consistently low mineral intake if distilled water is the sole source of hydration. Minerals from water typically constitute a small portion of daily intake.

Comparison of Water Types


Feature	Distilled Water	Tap Water	Spring Water	Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water
Purity	Extremely pure; nearly 100% H₂O	Treated and regulated by municipalities; safe but contains trace elements	Naturally filtered, but purity depends on source and bottling process	Highly pure, removes contaminants and minerals, can be remineralized
Mineral Content	Virtually zero	Varies by location; contains some minerals	Contains natural minerals and electrolytes picked up from rock formations	Most minerals removed, but some systems add them back
Taste	Flat and bland due to lack of minerals	Varies; can be affected by mineral content or chemicals like chlorine	Often described as crisp, clean, or refreshing due to minerals	Can taste flat if not remineralized; clean otherwise
Best for...	Medical equipment, laboratory use, temporary drinking in contaminated areas	General daily consumption in areas with safe public water	Everyday drinking for mineral intake and taste	Everyday drinking, often with remineralization for taste and health

Can You Use Distilled Water for Cooking?

Using distilled water for cooking can prevent mineral buildup in appliances and avoid unwanted flavors in delicate dishes. However, the lack of minerals might result in a less flavorful outcome for some foods, like broths.

How to Reintroduce Minerals to Distilled Water

To enjoy the purity of distilled water with added minerals, you can use mineral drops, a small amount of pink Himalayan salt, or filtration systems with a remineralization stage.

The Final Verdict: Is Distilled Water the Healthiest?

Distilled water is not the healthiest choice for daily, long-term drinking due to its lack of essential minerals. While safe occasionally and useful for specific purposes, relying solely on it means missing out on beneficial minerals found in other water sources. Safe drinking water with minerals, from filtered tap, spring, or remineralized RO systems, is generally preferred for optimal health. A balanced diet is key for mineral intake, and mineral-rich water can supplement this. Distilled water can be useful short-term if avoiding certain minerals or dealing with contaminated sources, provided dietary mineral intake is sufficient. A holistic approach to hydration and nutrition is always best for long-term well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is generally safe for short-term consumption, but relying on it exclusively for daily hydration over the long term is not recommended. Distilled water lacks essential minerals, so a consistently balanced, mineral-rich diet is necessary to avoid potential deficiencies.

This is a common misconception. While distilled water is more 'aggressive' and can pull minerals from its container, your body's complex systems maintain mineral balance. The primary risk is mineral deficiency from low intake, not active leaching from bones or tissues.

You can remineralize distilled water by adding concentrated trace mineral drops, a pinch of high-quality pink Himalayan salt, or by using a filtration system that includes a remineralization stage.

Distilled water is a type of purified water created by boiling and re-condensing steam, which removes virtually all contaminants and minerals. 'Purified water' is a broader category, filtered by various methods (like reverse osmosis) that remove contaminants but may or may not retain or add back beneficial minerals.

The flat or bland taste of distilled water is because the distillation process removes all dissolved solids, including minerals like calcium and magnesium, which give water its distinct flavor profile.

Not necessarily. While distilled water is purer and free of potential tap contaminants, tap water contains beneficial minerals. The 'better' option depends on the quality of your tap water and your overall diet. Tap water in developed countries is often a perfectly safe and healthy choice.

Yes, distilled water is safe for cooking and can prevent mineral buildup in appliances. For delicate foods like rice or pasta, it may provide a cleaner taste and texture. However, for dishes like broths, the lack of minerals might result in a flatter flavor.