Is It Safe to Drink Distilled Water Every Day? A Comprehensive Guide

December 2, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2004 World Health Organization (WHO) report, consuming water with low mineral content can potentially lead to increased urine output and electrolyte imbalances. This raises a critical question for many health-conscious consumers: Is it safe to drink distilled water every day?

Quick Summary

Daily consumption of distilled water is safe for most healthy individuals, provided a balanced diet compensates for the lack of minerals and electrolytes removed during purification.

Key Points

Distilled water is safe to drink daily for most people. Its purity makes it free of contaminants, but it's important to have a balanced diet.
Distilled water does not 'leach' minerals from your body. The body regulates mineral balance primarily through food, not the trace amounts found in water.
Essential minerals like calcium and magnesium are absent. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is necessary to compensate for this lack.
Consider the 'flat' taste. The absence of minerals and electrolytes can make the taste less appealing, potentially affecting your daily water intake.
Pure but not necessarily healthier for all. The main benefit is extreme purity, but mineral-rich water can be a convenient source of supplementary minerals for some.
Ideal for specific applications, not just drinking. Distilled water is highly recommended for CPAP machines, irons, and humidifiers to prevent mineral scale.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is created through a process of distillation, which involves boiling water to produce steam, then cooling and condensing the steam back into a liquid form. This process effectively leaves behind impurities, contaminants, and dissolved solids, including minerals and salts. The result is exceptionally pure H₂O, free from bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and most chemicals.

How the Distillation Process Works

The process of distillation purifies water by:

Boiling: Heating water to create steam.
Separation: Leaving non-volatile impurities like minerals and salts behind.
Condensation: Cooling the steam back into pure liquid water.
Collection: Gathering the resulting highly pure distilled water.

The Great Mineral Leaching Debate: Myth vs. Fact

A common concern about distilled water is that it leaches minerals from your body. This is not accurate, as the body primarily gets minerals from food, not water. While water can provide some minerals, it's not the main source.

The Role of Your Diet

A balanced diet is the key to maintaining proper mineral and electrolyte levels. Eating a variety of whole foods provides the necessary nutrients that are missing in distilled water. Dietary deficiencies are a concern, not the distilled water itself, unless it's the sole source of hydration during fasting or intense exercise.

Benefits of Drinking Distilled Water

Distilled water's primary benefit comes from its purity:

High Purity: Removes nearly all contaminants, making it very safe, especially where tap water quality is poor.
Free from Additives: Contains no added chemicals like chlorine or fluoride.
Neutral Taste for Beverages: Ideal for making coffee and tea as it doesn't interfere with flavor.
Ideal for Medical Use: Often recommended for those with weakened immune systems or for use in medical devices.

Potential Risks and Considerations for Daily Consumption

For most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, drinking distilled water daily is safe. However, consider these points:

Lack of Essential Minerals: You must rely on your diet for minerals like calcium and magnesium. A poor diet could lead to deficiencies.
Flat Taste: The absence of minerals can result in a taste some find unappealing, potentially reducing overall water intake.
Possible Electrolyte Imbalance: In rare cases, exclusive use during intense activity could be a concern, as distilled water doesn't replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.

Comparison of Water Types


Feature	Distilled Water	Tap Water	Purified Water (RO)	Spring Water
Mineral Content	Virtually none	Variable	Low	Variable, often high
Contaminant Removal	Removes virtually all	Meets EPA standards	Removes most	Naturally filtered, may have contaminants
Taste	Flat	Can vary	Often clean	Crisp, fresh
Best For	Medical equipment, appliances, temporary drinking	Everyday drinking	General drinking/cooking	Drinking for flavor/minerals

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

Drinking distilled water daily is safe for healthy people with balanced diets, as the body primarily obtains minerals from food. The 'mineral leaching' idea is a myth. However, it's crucial not to rely on water for mineral intake, especially with a poor diet. While distilled water is extremely pure, it lacks beneficial minerals and has a less appealing taste.

The choice of water depends on prioritizing purity or mineral content and ensuring dietary needs are met. Distillation is excellent for removing contaminants, but a healthy diet is necessary to compensate for mineral loss. Consult a healthcare professional before significantly changing your hydration, particularly with existing health conditions.(https://sensorex.com/is-distilled-water-safe-to-drink/)

Specific Uses for Distilled Water

CPAP Machines: Prevents mineral buildup in humidifiers.
Household Appliances: Stops scale deposits in irons and humidifiers.
Aquariums: Provides a neutral base for specific aquatic environments.
Automotive Needs: Used in batteries and cooling systems to prevent corrosion.
Baby Formula: Safe due to purity, consult a pediatrician for infant needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not directly, if you maintain a balanced diet. The human body's primary source of essential minerals is food, and for a healthy person, a nutritious diet will compensate for the lack of minerals in distilled water.

For healthy individuals, no. In fact, its purity may reduce the risk of kidney stones by diluting calcium and sodium levels. However, long-term exclusive consumption should be paired with a nutrient-rich diet to ensure your kidneys have the minerals they need to regulate properly.

It is not recommended, as you lose electrolytes like sodium and potassium through sweat. Distilled water will not replenish these. A mineral-rich water or electrolyte drink is a better choice for rehydration after intense exercise.

Yes, many people describe its taste as 'flat' or 'bland.' This is because the minerals and salts that give tap or spring water its flavor have been removed.

Yes, distilled water is safe for preparing baby formula, as it is free from contaminants. However, plain distilled water should not be given to infants under six months. Always consult a pediatrician for guidance on your baby's specific needs.

Distilled water is a type of purified water, but not all purified water is distilled. Purified water can be produced by various methods like reverse osmosis, while distillation specifically uses boiling and condensation.

Due to its purity, it's used in CPAP machines, steam irons, humidifiers, car batteries, and medical equipment to prevent mineral build-up and corrosion.