What does drinking distilled water do for the body?

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. FDA, water treated by distillation can be labeled as purified water, provided it meets strict quality standards. Understanding what drinking distilled water does for the body requires a balanced look at both its purity-related advantages and the significant downsides of its mineral-free state.

Quick Summary

Drinking distilled water provides a contaminant-free source of hydration, but it lacks essential minerals. While safe for short-term use and those with a balanced diet, long-term exclusive consumption can lead to mineral deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances.

Key Points

Mineral-Free Purity: Distillation removes almost all contaminants, chemicals, and bacteria, but also eliminates essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Risk of Mineral Deficiency: Long-term exclusive consumption of distilled water can contribute to mineral deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances, especially with an inadequate diet.
Flat Taste and Potential Dehydration: The lack of minerals gives distilled water a flat taste, which may reduce intake. It is also less effective for rehydration after exercise due to the absence of electrolytes.
Not a Detox Method: While staying hydrated is vital for natural detoxification, distilled water does not actively detoxify the body, contrary to some claims.
Best for Specific Uses: Distilled water is ideal for medical devices, lab work, and some cooking applications where absolute purity is required, not necessarily for daily drinking.
Dietary Balance is Crucial: The potential risks of drinking distilled water are best managed by ensuring a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other mineral sources.

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is created through a process of boiling water into steam and then condensing the steam back into a pure, liquid form. This distillation method effectively leaves behind impurities, heavy metals, contaminants, bacteria, and minerals. The result is pure H2O, which, due to its lack of dissolved solids, is often described as having a flat or bland taste. This purification process is so effective that distilled water is used in medical settings, laboratories, and for appliances that can be damaged by mineral buildup.

How Drinking Distilled Water Affects the Body

Potential Benefits of Purity

One of the most significant advantages of distilled water is its high level of purity. The distillation process removes virtually all dissolved solids and contaminants, offering several potential benefits, especially in areas with poor tap water quality. For individuals with weakened immune systems or specific health conditions, this purity can provide an added layer of safety. Some sources suggest drinking pure water supports natural detoxification and may help prevent inorganic mineral buildup contributing to kidney stones.

The Major Drawback: Lack of Minerals

Distillation removes both harmful contaminants and beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. While food is the primary source of minerals, water also contributes. Long-term reliance on distilled water can lead to mineral deficiencies if one's diet is not mineral-rich. A WHO report noted adverse effects of low-mineral water can include metabolic changes and increased urine output leading to electrolyte imbalances.

Impact on Taste and Hydration

Stripped of minerals, distilled water has a flat taste. This can lead to lower intake, potentially hindering hydration. While it hydrates, the lack of electrolytes makes it less effective at replenishing minerals lost through sweat, unlike electrolyte-fortified drinks.

The Mineral Leaching Myth

The idea that distilled water leaches minerals from bones is a misconception. Pure water is a solvent and will draw minerals from containers. However, in the body, it mixes with fluids, and perceived mineral depletion results from inadequate dietary intake, not the water actively stripping minerals. A balanced diet is crucial to mitigate this risk.

Distilled Water vs. Spring Water: A Comparison

Here is a comparison between distilled and spring water:


Feature	Distilled Water	Spring Water
Source	Water boiled to steam, then condensed.	Naturally flows from underground.
Mineral Content	Virtually zero.	Rich in natural minerals.
Purity	Extremely high, free of contaminants.	Naturally filtered, may contain minerals.
Taste	Flat, bland.	Crisp, refreshing, mineral-influenced flavor.
Best for...	Medical equipment, appliances, lab work, short-term safe drinking.	Everyday drinking, hydration.

Other Practical Uses of Distilled Water

Distilled water's purity makes it useful for sterilizing medical equipment, in dialysis machines, and in laboratories. At home, it prevents mineral buildup in steam irons, humidifiers, and car batteries. Some chefs use it to prevent mineral interference with flavors. It can also be a safe choice for preparing infant formula when tap water quality is a concern, as formula provides necessary minerals.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Distilled Water

Drinking distilled water offers purity, free from tap water contaminants. This makes it a safe short-term option when tap water quality is questionable. However, the lack of minerals and electrolytes is a major drawback for long-term, exclusive consumption, potentially leading to deficiencies and affecting hydration. Occasional use is safe for most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, but it's not recommended as a sole source of hydration long-term. Meeting mineral needs through diet is key. Mineralized or filtered water is often preferred for regular hydration for health and taste.

For more information on water quality, consult resources like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo.

Potential Risks of Long-Term Distilled Water Use

Consistent distilled water consumption without a balanced diet poses risks due to the absence of minerals:

Mineral Deficiency: Risk of deficiencies in calcium and magnesium, affecting bone and nerve function.
Electrolyte Imbalance: Lack of electrolytes can disrupt fluid balance, potentially causing fatigue and headaches.
Dental Health: Absence of fluoride (often in tap water) could impact dental health, especially in children.
Lowered Hydration Efficiency: Less effective rehydration after exercise compared to mineral-rich water.
Risk of Acidity: Absorbs carbon dioxide from air, becoming slightly acidic, though a balanced diet typically buffers this.

Considerations for Cooking with Distilled Water

Distilled water provides a neutral base, preventing mineral interference with food flavors and textures. It allows true flavors to emerge in coffee and tea. However, dishes relying on mineral content for richness, like broths, may taste less robust. Mineralized or reverse osmosis water often provides a better balance for general cooking.

Summary of Distilled Water's Effects

Drinking distilled water is a trade-off: high purity versus lack of minerals. It provides contaminant-free water but misses the small mineral contribution from other sources. The body is adaptable, but a diverse, mineral-rich diet is vital for long-term health, especially when drinking distilled water. The idea of it being a detox method is largely unsubstantiated, as the body has its own systems. While useful for specific applications, it's not necessarily the best daily drinking water choice.

Conclusion

For most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, occasional distilled water is safe. However, due to its lack of minerals and electrolytes, it is not recommended as a sole, long-term hydration source. Meeting mineral needs through diet is paramount. Distilled water has important uses, but it may not be the ideal choice for daily drinking water. Consider personal health, diet, and tap water quality for your best decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is safe to drink occasionally, but not recommended as a sole source of hydration long-term. Its lack of minerals can lead to deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances over time if not supplemented through a balanced diet.

Yes, most people find that distilled water has a flat or bland taste. This is because the minerals that give tap and spring water their flavor have been completely removed during the distillation process.

Yes, distilled water is safe for cooking. It can be beneficial for certain recipes like baking and brewing coffee where a neutral water base is desired. However, it may result in a less full-bodied flavor in dishes that rely on minerals, such as soups.

Distilled water is a type of purified water created by boiling and re-condensing steam, which removes virtually all minerals and contaminants. Other purified water, like that from reverse osmosis, removes contaminants but may retain or have minerals added back in.

While staying hydrated is crucial for the body's natural detoxification processes, distilled water does not provide any special detoxifying benefits. The liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for detoxifying the body.

This is largely a myth. The concern stems from the fact that pure water will draw minerals from its container. However, once consumed, it does not actively leach minerals from your bones. The risk comes from not replacing lost electrolytes through a mineral-free water source.

For infants, using distilled water to mix formula is considered safe, especially if local tap water quality is a concern. The formula provides the necessary nutrients. However, plain distilled water should not be given to babies under six months.