Is distilled water the same as purified water?: Understanding the Differences for Your Nutrition Diet

October 14, 2025 •

5 min read

Purified water must contain less than 10 parts per million of total dissolved solids, while distilled water is a specific type of purified water. A common question for anyone concerned with their hydration and nutrition diet is: Is distilled water the same as purified water? The answer is that while both are processed for purity, their final composition and uses differ significantly.

Quick Summary

Purified water and distilled water are not identical, despite both being treated to remove contaminants. Distilled water is a type of purified water created by boiling and condensing steam, removing all minerals and impurities. Purified water, made via multiple methods like reverse osmosis, also removes contaminants but can retain or reintroduce minerals. The best choice depends on your specific needs, diet, and preference.

Key Points

Distillation vs. Purification: Distillation is a specific type of purification that removes virtually all minerals and contaminants by boiling and recondensing water; purified water is a broader category that can use various methods like reverse osmosis and may retain some beneficial minerals.
Mineral Content Matters: Distilled water is nearly mineral-free, which can lead to a flat taste and potential electrolyte imbalances over long-term consumption if minerals are not obtained from a balanced diet.
Everyday Drinking: For most people, purified water is the better choice for daily drinking because it provides clean water while retaining some essential minerals that contribute to a better taste and overall nutrition.
Specialized Uses: Distilled water is required for applications where absolute mineral-free water is necessary, such as in CPAP machines, car batteries, and laboratory settings, to prevent mineral buildup.
Consult a Professional: For individuals with specific health concerns, particularly those involving mineral balance, consulting a healthcare professional is wise before making a long-term choice between distilled and purified water for hydration.
Processing Differences: The multiple-step process for making purified water is often more energy-efficient than the energy-intensive boiling and condensing required for distillation.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is a type of purified water created through the process of distillation. This method is one of the oldest forms of water purification and is known for producing water with a very high level of purity. The process involves boiling water and then collecting and condensing the resulting steam back into a liquid. Any impurities, including minerals, salts, bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals, are left behind in the boiling chamber because they have higher boiling points than water. The final product is nearly 100% pure H₂O, resulting in a flat or bland taste due to the absence of minerals. This ultra-pure nature makes it ideal for specific applications where the presence of any impurities could cause problems, such as in medical equipment, laboratories, and car cooling systems.

The distillation process

The process is straightforward, whether done on a commercial or small home scale:

The water is heated to its boiling point, turning it into steam.
This steam rises, leaving behind inorganic compounds and minerals.
The steam is then cooled in a separate chamber or over a cool surface, causing it to condense back into liquid water.
The resulting distilled water is collected in a clean container.
Some commercial systems add a final filtration step, often with activated carbon, to remove any lingering volatile organic compounds that might have a similar boiling point to water.

What is Purified Water?

Purified water is a more general term for water that has been mechanically filtered or processed to remove impurities and contaminants to a specific standard. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) set standards for what can be labeled as purified water, requiring a total dissolved solids (TDS) level of less than 10 parts per million (PPM). Unlike distillation, which uses a single method, purified water can be produced using a combination of technologies. These methods are designed to produce water that is cleaner and safer than both tap water and filtered water.

Common purification methods

Reverse Osmosis (RO): This widely used method forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved inorganic solids, including salts, lead, and other trace minerals. It is highly effective but can also remove beneficial minerals.
Deionization (DI): This process uses ion-exchange resins to remove ionized salts and minerals from water. It is often used in combination with other methods to achieve very high purity.
Carbon Filtration: Activated carbon filters are often a component of a larger purification system, used to adsorb impurities like chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals that affect taste and odor.
UV Sterilization: Ultraviolet light is used to disinfect water by killing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may still be present after other filtration stages.

Nutritional and Health Implications

When considering these water types for your diet, the key difference lies in their mineral content. Tap water often contains trace minerals like calcium and magnesium, which contribute to our daily intake. The purification and distillation processes affect this mineral composition differently, with significant health implications.

Distilled water, with its near-total lack of minerals, removes not only contaminants but also beneficial electrolytes. For individuals with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other mineral sources, this might not pose a problem for short-term consumption. However, long-term consumption without supplementing mineral intake from other sources could lead to deficiencies or electrolyte imbalances. The World Health Organization has noted potential adverse effects from drinking low-mineral water, such as an increase in urine output and a risk of electrolyte imbalance. Furthermore, since fluoride is removed, those who exclusively drink distilled water should be mindful of their dental health.

Purified water offers a more flexible nutritional profile depending on the purification methods used. For example, some reverse osmosis systems may have a post-filter or mineral cartridge that adds beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium back into the water. For everyday drinking, many people prefer purified water because it removes harmful contaminants while retaining a more palatable taste due to the presence of some minerals. This makes purified water a safer and often more appealing option for daily hydration, as it reduces exposure to potential contaminants without completely stripping the water of its natural components.

Comparison Table: Distilled vs. Purified Water


Feature	Distilled Water	Purified Water
Processing Method	Boiling water into steam and condensing it back into liquid.	Combination of processes like reverse osmosis, deionization, and carbon filtration.
Mineral Content	Virtually zero mineral content, as all dissolved solids are removed.	Most chemicals and impurities removed, but can retain some beneficial minerals depending on the process.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)	Typically <2 parts per million (PPM).	Must be <10 parts per million (PPM) by EPA and USP standards.
Purity Level	Achieves extremely high purity, often higher than standard purified water.	Very high purity, but can be slightly less pure than distilled if some minerals are intentionally kept.
Taste	Flat and bland due to the absence of minerals.	Clean and fresh-tasting, often preferred for drinking.
Common Drinking Use	Generally not recommended for long-term daily drinking due to lack of minerals.	Safe and common for daily drinking.
Specialized Use	CPAP machines, laboratories, steam irons, car batteries.	Medical applications, food and beverage production.

Making the Right Choice for Your Nutrition Diet

Deciding between distilled and purified water ultimately depends on your specific needs. For general daily hydration, especially in areas with a reliable municipal water supply, a quality purification system is often the most practical and beneficial option. It removes contaminants while potentially keeping or reintroducing essential minerals. This provides peace of mind about water quality without sacrificing the minerals that can contribute to overall health. For those with specific health conditions or a need for absolute water purity (for example, to prepare baby formula), a healthcare professional's advice is crucial.

Conversely, distilled water's lack of minerals makes it unsuitable for long-term daily consumption unless dietary mineral intake is meticulously managed. Its primary strength lies in specialized, non-consumption-based applications. While it is safe to drink, its flat taste and mineral-free composition make it a less appealing choice for most people seeking a pleasant and nutritionally balanced hydration source. Ultimately, the cleanest water is not always the best for nutritional purposes.

Conclusion: Which Water is Right for You?

When considering whether is distilled water the same as purified water?, the answer is a clear no; distilled water is a form of purified water, but not all purified water is distilled. The key distinction lies in the purification method and the resulting mineral content. Distillation creates ultra-pure, mineral-free water, suitable for specific industrial or medical applications, while broader purification methods like reverse osmosis produce clean, safe drinking water that may retain or have beneficial minerals added back in. For most people's daily hydration and dietary needs, purified water is the superior and more palatable choice. As always, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is the best way to ensure you receive all the essential minerals your body needs, regardless of your water choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Distilled water is safe to drink but is not ideal for long-term, daily consumption as it lacks essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are stripped during the purification process.

Distilled water often tastes flat or bland because all minerals have been removed. Purified water, which may retain some minerals or have them added back, generally has a cleaner, more palatable taste.

Distilled water is recommended for appliances like steam irons and humidifiers because its lack of minerals prevents mineral scale buildup, extending the life of the appliance.

While purified and tap water contain some minerals, the primary source for essential minerals should be a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods, as water intake typically doesn't provide sufficient amounts.

Many common purification methods, such as reverse osmosis and distillation, do remove fluoride. If you rely on water for fluoride intake, you should consult a dentist or doctor.

Purified water is commonly made using a combination of methods, including reverse osmosis, deionization, and activated carbon filtration, to remove contaminants without necessarily stripping all minerals.

For babies, especially newborns, some parents and doctors prefer distilled water to ensure maximum purity. However, it's best to consult a pediatrician for a specific recommendation, as purified water is also often a safe and acceptable option.