Is Non-Mineral Water Good? A Guide to Purity, Hydration, and Nutrition

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025, water and other calorie-free beverages should be the main things a person drinks. So, is non-mineral water good for you, especially when compared to its mineral-rich counterpart? The answer depends largely on the type, purification method, and your overall diet.

Quick Summary

This guide explores the safety and nutritional aspects of non-mineral water options like purified, distilled, and tap water, examining the purification processes, mineral content, and taste to help you choose the right type for your needs.

Key Points

• Safety First: Non-mineral water options like tap and purified water are regulated and generally safe for daily hydration, especially in areas with robust municipal treatment.

• Purity vs. Minerals: While distilled and purified water offer high purity by removing contaminants, they also eliminate minerals. Tap water retains some minerals, but your diet is the primary mineral source.

• Taste and Preference: The absence of minerals can give distilled and some purified waters a 'flat' taste, which may affect personal preference and water intake. Tap water's taste varies by location.

• Dietary Balance is Key: For most healthy people, consuming non-mineral water won't cause mineral deficiencies, as long as they maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

• Cost and Environment: Tap water is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice, while bottled alternatives, including purified water, contribute to higher costs and plastic waste.

• Choosing the Right Option: Your ideal choice depends on your local water quality, dietary habits, health status, and willingness to use a home filtration system or pay for bottled options.

The question of whether non-mineral water is a healthy choice is a common one for those focused on nutrition and hydration. Non-mineral water broadly refers to any water that lacks the high concentration of minerals naturally found in spring or mineral water. The most common examples are distilled, purified, and regular tap water. The safety and benefits of these options hinge on their sourcing and purification methods, but for most people with a balanced diet, they are perfectly suitable for daily consumption.

Understanding the Main Types of Non-Mineral Water

Distilled Water

Distilled water is created through a process of boiling and condensation, which leaves behind impurities, salts, and nearly all dissolved minerals.

• The Process: Water is heated to its boiling point, creating steam. This steam is then captured and cooled, condensing back into a liquid state in a separate container.
• Benefits: This process is highly effective at removing almost all contaminants, including heavy metals like lead and pesticides, making it an excellent choice for individuals with compromised immune systems or those in areas with questionable water quality.
• Risks: Because distillation removes all minerals, many people find it has a flat, unappealing taste, which could potentially lead to reduced water intake. A long-standing myth suggests distilled water leaches minerals from the body, but this is not scientifically accurate. Your body primarily gets minerals from food, and your kidneys regulate mineral levels. However, the World Health Organization notes that consuming low-mineral water might lead to an electrolyte imbalance if not paired with a balanced diet. It is most commonly used in medical devices like CPAP machines and in laboratories.

Purified Water (Reverse Osmosis)

Purified water is a general term for water that has been treated to remove chemicals, contaminants, and other impurities. One of the most common purification methods is reverse osmosis (RO).

• The Process: RO systems force water through a semipermeable membrane that filters out dissolved solids, salts, and impurities. Many bottled water brands are simply tap water that has undergone this purification process.
• Benefits: RO effectively removes a wide range of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, and nitrates, providing a high level of purity. For many, it offers a consistent, clean taste.
• Risks: Like distillation, the RO process can strip away beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, which give water its natural flavor. Some advanced RO systems address this by adding minerals back into the water, while others may leave it mineral-deficient.

Tap Water

Tap water, sourced from municipal supplies, is the most accessible and cost-effective option for many.

• The Process: It is treated and regulated by public health authorities, which set strict limits on contaminants to ensure safety. In many developed nations, tap water is a safe and reliable choice.
• Benefits: It is convenient, cheap, and has a significantly lower environmental impact than bottled water. In many areas, it is fortified with fluoride to promote dental health. The mineral content varies by location but is generally present.
• Risks: Water quality can vary by location and can be affected by the age and condition of local plumbing. Some people are sensitive to the taste of chlorine used for disinfection. If local water quality is a concern, a home filtration system can provide an extra layer of protection.

Comparison of Non-Mineral Water Types

Feature	Distilled Water	Purified Water (RO)	Tap Water
Source	Various (often tap water)	Various (often tap water)	Municipal reservoirs, rivers, aquifers
Processing	Boiling and condensation	Reverse osmosis, deionization, filtration	Public treatment plant
Mineral Content	Almost none	Most minerals removed	Varies by location, generally contains trace minerals
Taste	Flat or neutral	Neutral, can be mineralized	Varies by location, may contain chlorine taste
Safety & Regulation	Very high purity, but not regulated for drinking by the EPA; FDA regulates bottled versions	Highly regulated (bottled) by FDA or produced via regulated home systems	Strictly regulated by EPA for public safety
Best For	Medical devices (CPAP), lab work, specific low-mineral diets	General drinking, areas with contaminated tap water	Cost-effective, environmentally friendly daily hydration

How to Choose the Right Non-Mineral Water for You

1. Assess Your Local Water Quality

For most people in areas with regulated public water supplies, tap water is a perfectly safe and healthy choice. However, if you are concerned about contaminants due to old pipes or specific local issues, you can check your annual water quality report. In such cases, purified water is a strong alternative.

2. Consider Your Dietary Needs

The minerals found in water, such as calcium and magnesium, are also found in a balanced diet. For most healthy individuals, the amount lost by drinking non-mineral water is negligible compared to the intake from foods like fruits and vegetables. However, those on specific diets or with health conditions should consult a doctor, and athletes may benefit from mineralized water for electrolyte balance.

3. Factor in Cost and Environmental Impact

Tap water is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. Relying on bottled purified or distilled water is both expensive and contributes significantly to plastic waste. If you choose purified water for its purity, a reusable bottle and a home filtration system are a more sustainable choice.

Conclusion

For the vast majority of people, the answer to 'Is non-mineral water good?' is yes. It is a safe and effective way to meet daily hydration goals, with the key consideration being your overall dietary and environmental approach. While mineral water offers a source of dietary minerals, these can be easily obtained from a balanced diet. By understanding the differences between distilled, purified, and tap water, you can make an informed choice that suits your health, budget, and environmental concerns.

For more detailed information on water quality, you can consult reports from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other relevant health organizations.

For more details on drinking water safety regulations, refer to the EPA's Drinking Water Regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will drinking distilled water leach minerals from my body?

No, this is a myth. The human body is highly efficient at maintaining mineral balance through diet and biological processes. Your kidneys regulate your mineral levels, and you get the vast majority of your essential minerals from the food you eat, not from drinking water.

What is the primary difference between purified and distilled water?

Distilled water is a type of purified water created by boiling and condensing steam, which removes nearly everything, including minerals. Purified water is a broader term for water that has undergone any process, such as reverse osmosis or carbon filtration, to remove contaminants. Some purified water may still contain minerals, depending on the process.

Is tap water safe to drink if it's considered non-mineral water?

In many developed countries, tap water is safe and strictly regulated by public health bodies like the EPA. While mineral content varies and trace contaminants are possible, tap water is a healthy, accessible, and regulated source of hydration.

Is it safe to drink purified water over the long term?

Yes, it is safe to drink purified water long-term, especially if your local tap water quality is a concern. For most people with a balanced diet, the lack of minerals is not a major issue, as these are primarily obtained from food.

Can I add minerals back to purified water?

Yes, some home water systems or bottled brands remineralize their water. You can also purchase mineral drops to add to your purified water, which can enhance the flavor and provide some additional nutrients.

Why does non-mineral water sometimes taste flat?

The flat taste is due to the lack of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals give water its natural flavor. Distilled water, having had nearly all solids removed, is particularly known for this.

Who should consider drinking non-mineral water, such as distilled?

Those with specific health concerns, such as a compromised immune system, or those living in areas with known water contamination, may benefit from drinking highly purified water. Distilled water is also often recommended for specific medical equipment like CPAP machines.

Is non-mineral water more or less hydrating than mineral water?

In terms of hydration, both non-mineral and mineral water are effective. The primary cause of dehydration is inadequate fluid intake, not the absence of minerals in the water. For intense exercise, however, drinks with electrolytes (minerals) may be beneficial for rehydration.