What is Store-Bought Distilled Water?
Store-bought distilled water is water that has been purified through a process of distillation. This method involves boiling water to produce steam, which leaves behind bacteria, contaminants, minerals, and other dissolved solids. The steam is then cooled and collected, condensing back into liquid form. This process yields water that is extremely pure, containing little more than hydrogen and oxygen. While effective at removing impurities, this also means that all beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are eliminated.
The Manufacturing Process
The process for creating store-bought distilled water is a scaled-up version of the basic distillation method. Large industrial distillers heat water in a chamber, collect the steam in a separate, sterile container, and cool it to condense it back into a liquid. While this process is highly effective at removing impurities, a small risk remains with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have a lower boiling point than water and may carry over into the final product. However, modern commercial processes often include post-distillation carbon filters to mitigate this.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Drinking Distilled Water
Choosing to drink distilled water involves weighing both the potential advantages and disadvantages. For specific uses, its purity is a major benefit, but for daily drinking, the mineral-free nature is a significant consideration.
Benefits
- High Purity: Distillation is one of the most effective methods for removing a wide array of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and pesticides.
- Safe in Contaminated Areas: In regions with questionable tap water quality, drinking distilled water can provide a safer alternative by eliminating waterborne pathogens and harmful chemicals.
- Prevents Mineral Buildup: Because it contains no minerals, distilled water is excellent for household appliances like steam irons, humidifiers, and car batteries, preventing mineral scale buildup.
Risks and Considerations
- Mineral Deficiency: The most significant drawback is the complete lack of minerals. Prolonged, exclusive consumption can lead to deficiencies, though a balanced diet typically provides most necessary minerals.
- Flat Taste: Many people describe the taste of distilled water as flat or bland, which can discourage proper hydration if the taste is unappealing.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: In situations of heavy sweating or illness, drinking only distilled water may fail to replenish lost electrolytes, potentially leading to imbalances.
- Leaching from Packaging: Aggressively pure water can leach chemicals from certain plastics, especially when stored for long periods. Store-bought water, often in plastic jugs, carries this risk.
Distilled vs. Other Water Types
Understanding the differences between distilled and other common types of water helps in making an informed decision. While they may all appear clear, their composition varies greatly.
| Feature | Distilled Water | Purified Water | Spring Water | Tap Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Content | Virtually none | Very low, as some minerals may be removed | Contains natural minerals from its source | Varies by municipality; contains some minerals |
| Purity | Extremely high; removes most impurities | High; free of chemicals and microbes | Subject to natural filtration; protected from pollution | Meets EPA regulations but may contain trace contaminants |
| Taste | Often described as bland or flat | Generally clean, but varies by purification method | Distinct, crisp taste from natural minerals | Varies widely depending on source and treatment |
| Process | Boiling, evaporation, and condensation | Can use reverse osmosis, filtration, or distillation | Collected from a natural spring | Treated and disinfected by a municipal plant |
| Best For | Appliances, labs, short-term drinking | Drinking, cooking, and everyday use | Everyday drinking for taste and minerals | General use if local supply is reliable |
When is it Safest to Drink Distilled Water?
While most healthy individuals can safely consume distilled water occasionally, it is not recommended as a primary, long-term hydration source without careful dietary considerations to replace missing minerals. The best uses for drinking it are often short-term or situational:
- In Contaminated Areas: When you are traveling or in an area where the local water supply is known to be contaminated with harmful chemicals, bacteria, or heavy metals, distilled water is a clean, safe option.
- For Specific Medical Needs: Some medical professionals may recommend distilled water for patients with certain conditions to limit mineral intake. Always follow a doctor's advice in these cases.
- Cooking: Using it for cooking can be a good way to ensure a purer base for foods, although it may pull trace minerals from the foods you cook.
- Infant Formula: For preparing baby formula, some health authorities advise using sterilized or distilled water to minimize exposure to contaminants and excess minerals, such as fluoride.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Consumption
For short-term consumption, such as during a temporary fast or when tap water quality is poor, distilled water poses minimal risk. Your body can compensate for the lack of minerals from other sources. However, relying exclusively on it over an extended period can be problematic. For example, the World Health Organization has noted that prolonged consumption of demineralized water may be associated with negative health effects due to electrolyte disturbances, even if the primary source of minerals remains food.
Practical Recommendations
If you choose to drink store-bought distilled water, be mindful of the following:
- Diversify Your Water Intake: Consider drinking other types of water, such as spring or tap water, alongside distilled water to maintain a broader mineral intake.
- Supplement with Food: Ensure your diet is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and other mineral-rich foods to compensate for the lack of minerals in the water.
- Proper Storage: Store distilled water in glass or high-quality, BPA-free containers to avoid chemical leaching from plastics.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of whether it's safe to drink store-bought distilled water depends on your specific health and dietary habits. While it is one of the purest forms of water available, its lack of minerals means it is not an ideal primary source of hydration for everyone, especially for long-term, exclusive use. For most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, occasional consumption is perfectly safe. For those with compromised health or living in areas with poor tap water quality, it may even be a safer short-term option. However, for continuous, daily hydration, a mineral-rich alternative like spring or properly filtered water is often a better choice to ensure proper electrolyte balance and overall well-being. For specific health concerns, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional.
