What is the #1 healthiest water to drink? The surprising truth about hydration

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

While roughly 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, less than 1% is readily available freshwater, and even this is not all equally beneficial for your health. Navigating the options to find out what is the #1 healthiest water to drink? can be confusing, but the answer depends on a balance of purity, minerals, and personal needs.

Quick Summary

The healthiest water is not a one-size-fits-all answer but depends on factors like source purity, mineral content, and personal preference. Options range from mineral-rich spring water to highly filtered options like reverse osmosis or distilled water, each with unique advantages and disadvantages for hydration and health.

Key Points

Source vs. Treatment: The healthiness of water depends on both its source and the filtration or treatment it undergoes. Natural spring and mineral waters retain beneficial minerals, while purified options like RO and distilled remove almost everything.
Minerals vs. Purity: Highly purified waters like distilled water lack minerals, which can be a drawback for long-term consumption. Naturally sourced spring and mineral waters contain these minerals but may have inconsistencies depending on the source.
Alkaline Water Controversy: Claims about alkaline water's health benefits are often debated and lack strong scientific backing. The body's own systems are highly efficient at regulating blood pH.
Cost-Effectiveness: Filtering tap water at home offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to achieve high-quality drinking water, especially when compared to regularly purchasing bottled water.
Personalization is Key: The 'best' water is subjective. Factors like personal taste, budget, local water quality, and specific health needs all influence the ideal choice. The most important thing is staying hydrated with a safe source.

The quest for the healthiest water is a common one, fueled by marketing claims about pH levels, purity, and mineral content. From ancient mineral springs to high-tech filtration systems, the choices can seem overwhelming. The truth is, the 'best' water is a nuanced topic that requires understanding different water types, their processing, and their impact on the body.

Understanding Your Options: A Closer Look at Drinking Water

Tap Water

In many developed nations, municipal tap water is a safe and affordable option, treated to meet stringent safety standards. It is often disinfected with chlorine to kill pathogens, and sometimes fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay. However, the quality can vary based on your location, and water can pick up contaminants like lead from aging pipes or chemicals during treatment. A simple home filter, such as a pitcher filter, can improve taste by removing chlorine, while more advanced systems can address a wider range of contaminants.

Spring Water

Sourced from underground formations where water flows naturally to the surface, spring water is naturally filtered through rock and soil. This process allows it to retain a balanced profile of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which contribute to its taste and health benefits. For it to be sold commercially, bottled spring water is tested and treated to remove bacteria, ensuring it meets safety standards while retaining its core mineral content. However, it's essential to buy from a reputable brand, as untreated spring water from a questionable source can still harbor contaminants.

Mineral Water

Mineral water is similar to spring water but must meet stricter U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. It must come from a protected, underground source and contain at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved minerals, like magnesium, calcium, and sulfates. No minerals can be added to it artificially. Because of its high mineral concentration, it often has a distinctive taste and may offer benefits such as improved bone density.

Purified Water (including RO and Distilled)

Purified water is treated to remove contaminants and dissolved solids to a very high degree. Two common methods include:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water: This process forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove up to 99.99% of contaminants, including heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms. The downside is that it also strips out beneficial minerals. Many modern RO systems include a remineralization stage to add back healthy minerals for better taste and health benefits.
Distilled Water: Considered the purest form of water, distillation involves boiling water and collecting the resulting steam, which is then condensed back into liquid. This leaves all contaminants and minerals behind. While exceptionally pure, drinking distilled water long-term is not ideal for most people as it offers no minerals. The lack of minerals can also give it a flat taste.

Alkaline Water

Alkaline water has a higher pH level (typically 8 to 9.5) than neutral tap water, and contains alkaline minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. It can be produced naturally by water passing over mineral-rich rocks, or artificially using an ionizer. While proponents claim it can neutralize acid in the body and provide antioxidant benefits, the scientific evidence is limited, and some experts remain skeptical. The body is highly efficient at regulating its own pH, and excessive intake could potentially have negative effects.

Comparison Table of Different Water Types


Feature	Tap Water	Spring Water	Mineral Water	Purified Water (RO)	Alkaline Water	Distilled Water
Purity	Varies by location	Generally high, treated	High, regulated	Very High	Varies (depends on source/treatment)	Highest
Mineral Content	Varies	Retains natural minerals	High, regulated >250 ppm	Very Low (needs remineralization)	Varies (pH > 7)	None
Source	Municipal supply	Natural underground spring	Protected underground spring	Any source (tap/well)	Natural spring or ionized	Any source
Cost	Lowest	Moderate	High	Moderate-High (system)	Moderate-High	Moderate-High
Pros	Affordable, regulated (in many areas)	Natural, contains beneficial minerals	High, consistent mineral content	Removes nearly all contaminants	Some debated health benefits	Ultra-pure, no contaminants
Cons	Potential for contaminants, inconsistent taste	Quality can vary, plastic packaging	Expensive, plastic packaging	Removes beneficial minerals, wastewater	Debated benefits, risk of excess alkalinity	No minerals, flat taste, not for long-term use

The Verdict: So, What is the Healthiest Water to Drink?

There is no single best answer, but several excellent options depending on your needs. The #1 healthiest water to drink is ultimately the one that is safe, clean, and helps you stay consistently hydrated.

For many people, the best solution is to use a home filtration system on tap water. This offers an excellent balance of purity, affordability, and sustainability, as it avoids the plastic waste of bottled water. For those who want the added benefit of natural minerals and enjoy the taste, and don't mind the cost and plastic packaging, reputable bottled spring or mineral water is a great choice.

For those seeking the highest purity, a reverse osmosis system with a remineralization stage is a robust option, ensuring contaminants are removed while beneficial minerals are restored. Distilled water is a niche option for specific uses and not recommended for long-term consumption without a supplemental mineral source. Alkaline water remains controversial; more conclusive scientific research is needed to support many of its health claims.

Ultimately, a well-balanced diet provides most of our essential minerals, so getting enough clean water from any safe source is the primary goal.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Hydration

Choosing the healthiest water comes down to personal priorities, budget, and local water quality. The optimal choice is one that provides safe hydration without sacrificing mineral balance or taste. Filtering your local tap water or opting for a naturally mineral-rich bottled water are both solid strategies. The most important action is to ensure you are drinking enough water throughout the day, regardless of the type, for optimal health and wellness. Educating yourself on your options and evaluating your personal needs will lead you to your ideal choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

RO water removes nearly all contaminants and minerals, both good and bad. While you get most minerals from food, long-term exclusive consumption of demineralized water is not ideal. A balanced diet and an RO system with a remineralization stage can address this.

The health benefits of alkaline water are still under debate and not backed by conclusive scientific evidence. The human body is very good at maintaining its pH balance regardless of what you drink. Some studies suggest minor benefits for certain conditions like acid reflux, but more research is needed.

Spring water comes from a natural, underground source and retains its natural minerals, with minimal processing. Purified water can come from any source (including tap) and is heavily processed (e.g., via reverse osmosis or distillation) to remove nearly all impurities and minerals.

You can drink distilled water, but it's not ideal for daily long-term consumption because it contains no minerals. This can give it a flat taste and necessitates getting your mineral intake from a balanced diet. It's more commonly used for appliances or medical purposes.

Using a home water filter is a great way to improve tap water. Options range from simple pitcher filters that remove chlorine to more advanced under-the-sink systems that can reduce a wider array of contaminants. Some filters can also add beneficial minerals back into the water.

Not necessarily. In many places, regulated tap water is perfectly safe and often of high quality. Bottled water can come from various sources and may be just purified tap water. Bottled options also contribute significantly to plastic waste and are more expensive.

Mineral water, sourced from natural mineral springs, is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It can contribute to overall health, including bone density and heart health, and often has a unique, pleasant taste.