Should you drink distilled water? Examining the Health Impact

October 8, 2025 •

5 min read

The process of distillation removes nearly 99.9% of dissolved minerals and contaminants from water. Given its extreme purity, the question of whether you should drink distilled water for a healthy diet is a popular topic of debate among health enthusiasts and nutritionists alike.

Quick Summary

Distilled water is highly pure and free of contaminants but lacks essential minerals. While safe for short-term use with a balanced diet, long-term consumption may risk mineral imbalances and affect hydration. Better options often include filtered or mineral-rich water.

Key Points

Mineral Deficiency Risk: Distilled water lacks essential minerals and electrolytes, which can lead to deficiencies if not offset by a mineral-rich diet.
Safe for Short-Term Use: For occasional or short-term consumption, distilled water is safe, especially in areas with poor water quality.
Avoids Contaminants: The distillation process effectively removes bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and many chemicals, providing exceptionally pure water.
Flat Taste: The absence of dissolved minerals gives distilled water a flat, unappealing taste that may reduce overall fluid intake.
Ideal for Appliances: Distilled water is recommended for appliances like irons and humidifiers to prevent damaging mineral buildup.
Not Hydration Deficient: Distilled water is not 'less hydrating' than other water, but long-term use without electrolyte replacement can cause imbalances.
Remineralization is an Option: For those who purify their own water, adding mineral drops or using a remineralization filter can restore beneficial mineral content.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is a type of purified water produced through the process of distillation. This involves boiling water into steam and then condensing the steam back into a liquid in a separate container. This process is highly effective at removing almost all impurities, including contaminants, salts, bacteria, and minerals, making it exceptionally pure H₂O.

The Distillation Process

The process mirrors the Earth’s own hydrologic cycle of evaporation and condensation, but in a controlled environment. The boiling point of water is 212°F (100°C) at sea level, which is high enough to kill most biological contaminants. However, some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have a lower boiling point than water may evaporate with the steam and need additional filtration (like activated carbon) to be removed completely.

Potential Benefits of Drinking Distilled Water

One of the most significant advantages of distilled water is its high level of purity, which offers several benefits, particularly in situations with compromised water quality.

Reduced Risk of Waterborne Illnesses

Distillation is highly effective at eliminating waterborne pathogens, including bacteria (like E. coli), viruses (like Norovirus), and parasites (like Giardia).
This makes it a safer option for individuals with compromised immune systems or in areas where local water quality is poor.

Avoidance of Chemicals and Heavy Metals

The process removes a wide range of chemical contaminants and heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and nitrates, offering peace of mind to those concerned about pollutants in their tap water.
It can also remove emerging contaminants like PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” which is a growing concern for many people.

Special Dietary or Health Needs

For those on specific low-sodium or mineral-restricted diets under a doctor's supervision, distilled water can be a suitable choice due to its lack of sodium and other minerals.
In certain clinical situations, such as preparing baby formula or for patients undergoing specific medical treatments, ultra-pure water is necessary.

Significant Risks and Drawbacks

While offering a high degree of purity, drinking distilled water regularly presents several notable drawbacks related to nutrition and overall health.

Lack of Essential Minerals

The most critical drawback is the absence of beneficial minerals and electrolytes, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for proper bodily function. While the bulk of these minerals come from food, water can provide a supplementary source. Long-term reliance solely on distilled water could, therefore, lead to mineral deficiencies if your diet is not rich enough to compensate.

Potential for Electrolyte Imbalance

The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted potential adverse effects associated with consuming demineralized water long-term, including an increased risk of electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are crucial for maintaining hydration, nerve function, and muscle contractions, and their depletion can cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps.

Flat Taste and Reduced Thirst Quenching

Many people find that distilled water has a flat, unappealing taste. This is because it lacks the dissolved minerals and gases that give other types of water their flavor. This bland taste can potentially lead to lower overall water consumption, which is counterproductive to staying properly hydrated.

Distilled Water vs. Other Water Types

Here is a comparison of distilled water with other common water types:


Feature	Distilled Water	Tap Water	Purified Water (RO)	Mineral Water
Mineral Content	Virtually zero	Varies by municipality	Very low, often remineralized	High, from natural source
Contaminant Removal	Highest purity	Treated to meet regulations	High removal rate	Varies, but naturally filtered
Taste Profile	Flat and bland	Varies, can contain chlorine	Can be bland if not remineralized	Distinct, mineral-rich
Best For	Appliances, lab use	General drinking (most areas)	Everyday drinking, taste	Mineral supplementation
Cost	High (bottled), moderate (home unit)	Very low	Moderate to high (system)	Moderate to high

When is Distilled Water a Smart Choice?

While not the best choice for everyday hydration for most people, there are specific, practical uses for distilled water:

Household Appliances: Using distilled water in steam irons, humidifiers, or CPAP machines prevents the buildup of mineral deposits (scale) that can damage equipment.
Laboratory and Medical Use: Due to its extreme purity, it is the standard for laboratory experiments, medical procedures, and sterilizing equipment.
Food Preparation: For delicate culinary tasks like canning or making ice cubes, its purity can ensure a clean, neutral taste and prevent discoloration.

How to Remineralize Distilled Water

If you use distilled or reverse osmosis water and want to add minerals back, several safe options exist:

Mineral Drops: Add commercially available trace mineral drops containing a blend of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Follow the instructions to get the correct ratio.
Himalayan Salt: A small pinch of high-quality Himalayan salt can introduce trace minerals. This method is cost-effective but less precise than drops.
Remineralization Filter: An inline remineralization cartridge can be added to an existing filtration system to automatically add minerals back after purification.

Conclusion: Should you drink distilled water?

Ultimately, distilled water is safe to drink but is not the optimal choice for daily hydration for most people. Its lack of essential minerals can be a concern for long-term consumption, especially without a robust, mineral-rich diet. The key takeaway is to view distilled water as a specialized product. For everyday use, regulated tap water or a remineralized purified water (like reverse osmosis) is generally a more balanced and beneficial option. As always, a discussion with a healthcare professional can help you determine the best approach for your specific nutritional and health needs.

The World Health Organization on drinking water

For further information on the composition and guidelines for drinking water quality, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water

Practical Ways to Assess Water Quality

For those concerned about the quality of their local tap water, there are practical steps you can take to make an informed decision:

Check Local Water Reports: Most municipal water systems publish consumer confidence reports detailing contaminants and treatment methods.
Home Testing Kits: Test kits are available to help you identify specific contaminants in your tap water.
Consult a Professional: Discussing your concerns with a water testing agency or healthcare provider can give you tailored advice on the best water source for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a myth. The body obtains the vast majority of its minerals from food, not water. The idea that distilled water aggressively pulls minerals from bones and tissues is not scientifically supported, provided you maintain a balanced diet.

Distilled water is a type of purified water created specifically by boiling and recondensing steam, which removes nearly all minerals and contaminants. General 'purified water' can use various methods (like reverse osmosis) and often retains or adds back some minerals for taste and health.

Yes, you can safely drink distilled water daily as long as you get sufficient minerals and nutrients from your food. However, due to its flat taste and lack of minerals, many health experts recommend a more balanced approach for long-term daily hydration.

Distilled water tastes flat or bland because the distillation process removes all dissolved minerals and gasses, such as calcium, magnesium, and oxygen, which contribute to water's flavor.

Yes, it is safe to cook with distilled water. Some chefs prefer it because it prevents unwanted flavors from minerals or chlorine from affecting the taste of delicate dishes. However, it may affect the flavor profile of some foods due to the absence of minerals.

For daily drinking, good alternatives include filtered tap water (which removes many contaminants while retaining minerals), spring water (naturally sourced with minerals), or remineralized reverse osmosis (RO) water.

It depends on your local water quality. In areas with contaminated tap water, distilled water is safer due to its purity. However, in regions with high-quality tap water, the added minerals in tap water may be beneficial for health.