What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is a type of purified water created through a specific process called distillation. The process mimics the earth's natural hydrologic cycle by boiling water to create steam, which is then captured and cooled back into liquid. This heating process is highly effective at leaving behind heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and inorganic minerals, resulting in exceptionally pure H₂O.
The Purification Process Explained
- Boiling: The source water (which can be tap, spring, or well water) is heated to its boiling point.
- Evaporation: As the water turns into steam, it leaves behind most impurities, which have higher boiling points or are too heavy to evaporate with the vapor.
- Condensation: The pure steam is funneled into a separate, clean chamber where it is cooled.
- Collection: As the steam condenses, it becomes liquid distilled water, which is then collected.
Potential Benefits of Drinking Distilled Water
Proponents of drinking distilled water often point to its high purity as the main advantage. For individuals living in areas with poor tap water quality or who are concerned about contaminants, this can be a significant factor.
- Removal of Contaminants: Distillation is highly effective at removing a wide range of waterborne pathogens and harmful chemicals, such as lead, arsenic, nitrates, and even emerging contaminants like PFAS, or “forever chemicals”. This provides peace of mind regarding water safety, especially for vulnerable individuals.
- Suitable for Specific Health Needs: For people on controlled-mineral or very low-sodium diets, distilled water can be a suitable choice as it contains virtually zero sodium and other minerals. Healthcare professionals may recommend it for those with weakened immune systems.
- Prevents Mineral Buildup in Appliances: Using distilled water in humidifiers, irons, and CPAP machines prevents the scaling and mineral deposits that can damage equipment over time.
Risks and Considerations
Despite its purity, distilled water is not a complete solution for daily hydration due to its demineralized nature. The lack of minerals can present potential health risks for long-term, exclusive consumption.
- Mineral Deficiency: The distillation process removes essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium that are found naturally in other water sources. While most of these are obtained from a balanced diet, long-term dependence on mineral-free water could lead to deficiencies, which may cause health issues like fatigue, muscle cramps, and headaches.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: The body loses electrolytes through sweat and urine. Drinking water without these electrolytes means they must be replaced entirely through food. This is particularly important for athletes or those who sweat heavily, as consuming only distilled water could potentially lead to an imbalance.
- Less Appealing Taste: Many people find the taste of distilled water flat or bland because it lacks dissolved minerals and gases that give other waters their characteristic flavor. This can discourage adequate hydration.
- Increased Risk of Leaching from Storage Containers: Pure, demineralized water is more “aggressive” as a solvent and can leach minerals and other substances from certain storage materials, like plastic, potentially contaminating the water over time.
Distilled Water vs. Other Water Types
Understanding the differences between water types is crucial for making an informed choice. Tap water is regulated by the EPA but can contain trace contaminants. Purified water (created by methods like reverse osmosis or deionization) is also highly treated but may retain or have minerals added back.
| Feature | Distilled Water | Filtered Water | Purified Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purification Method | Boiling and re-condensing steam. | Passes through filters (e.g., carbon). | Uses various methods like RO, DI, and distillation. |
| Mineral Content | Almost completely mineral-free. | Retains most natural minerals. | Removes many minerals, sometimes added back. |
| Contaminant Removal | Excellent for most contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses. | Removes chlorine, sediment, and some bacteria, but varies. | Removes a broad range of contaminants, including heavy metals and chemicals. |
| Taste | Often described as flat or bland. | Flavor depends on the specific filtration and mineral content. | Usually more palatable than distilled, especially with remineralization. |
| Best For | Medical equipment, specific diets, and industrial applications. | Everyday drinking, improving tap water taste. | Everyday drinking, high purity needs (lab, medical). |
Conclusion
Drinking distilled water offers a high level of purity, virtually eliminating most contaminants and pathogens. This makes it a safe option for short-term consumption, certain specialized uses, and in situations where the local water source is unsafe. However, its complete lack of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium means it should not be the sole source of hydration for extended periods, especially for those who rely on water for a portion of their daily mineral intake. For most healthy individuals, a balanced diet is sufficient to compensate for the mineral absence. When deciding to drink distilled water, it is important to consider the benefits of purity against the nutritional content of your overall diet and the quality of your local water supply.
For most people, high-quality filtered or purified water may offer a more balanced and palatable choice, retaining some minerals while still providing clean hydration. If you have a specific health condition or plan to use distilled water long-term, consult a healthcare professional. You can read more about drinking water regulations on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
