What minerals are missing from distilled water?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the lack of essential minerals and electrolytes in distilled water can lead to certain health concerns. The distillation process is a highly effective purification method that leaves behind nearly all dissolved solids, making it pure H2O. This article explains what minerals are missing from distilled water and the potential health implications.

Quick Summary

The distillation process removes essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium from water. While safe to drink occasionally, relying solely on it for hydration can lead to mineral deficiencies if not supplemented by a balanced diet.

Key Points

No Minerals: The distillation process removes nearly all dissolved solids, including crucial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Electrolyte Imbalance: The World Health Organization notes that a lack of electrolytes in water can potentially cause an imbalance in the body over time.
Flat Taste: The absence of minerals results in a noticeably flat or bland taste compared to tap or spring water.
Dietary Compensation: A balanced diet is the primary source of essential minerals, making distilled water safe for many if diet is adequate.
Non-Consumptive Uses: Distilled water is ideal for appliances like CPAP machines and steam irons to prevent mineral scale and extend equipment life.
Potential Deficiencies: Long-term consumption of distilled water without a balanced diet could increase the risk of mineral deficiencies.

The Distillation Process and Mineral Removal

Distilled water is produced by boiling water and condensing the steam, a process that removes nearly all dissolved substances, including minerals. This results in highly pure H2O.

The Primary Minerals Absent in Distilled Water

Key minerals completely removed by distillation include:

Calcium: Important for bones, muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
Magnesium: Involved in numerous bodily reactions, supporting muscle, nerve, glucose, and blood pressure control.
Sodium & Potassium: Essential electrolytes for fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle function, both lost in sweat.
Fluoride: Often added to tap water for dental health, but absent in distilled water.
Iron & Zinc: Trace minerals also removed during distillation.

Potential Health Implications of Drinking Demineralized Water

Long-term reliance on distilled water as a primary hydration source can have potential health consequences due to mineral depletion, a concern noted by the WHO.

Electrolyte Imbalance: Distilled water lacks electrolytes, potentially requiring the body to use its own reserves for absorption and utilization, leading to imbalance over time.
Increased Urine Output: Drinking demineralized water may increase urine production, potentially leading to greater mineral loss through the kidneys.
Mineral Leaching: Demineralized water can absorb minerals from surfaces it contacts. While most minerals come from food, some sources suggest a minimal risk of leaching minerals from the body with long-term consumption without a balanced diet.
Cardiovascular Health: Older studies suggested a possible link between low calcium and magnesium in water and increased heart disease risk, though not universally confirmed and influenced by lifestyle.

Distilled Water vs. Other Water Types: A Comparison

Comparing distilled water to other types highlights the significance of its lack of minerals.


Feature	Distilled Water	Purified Water (e.g., RO)	Tap Water	Mineral Water
Source	Boiled and re-condensed water	Treated tap water (often reverse osmosis)	Local sources (reservoirs, rivers)	Underground springs
Mineral Content	Virtually none (<1 PPM TDS)	Very low	Variable, includes essential minerals	Naturally rich in minerals
Taste	Flat or bland	Bland, possibly better if remineralized	Varies by location	Distinctive, crisp
Best For	Appliances, medical devices, labs	Daily drinking (often remineralized)	General hydration (if safe)	Hydration and mineral supplement
Long-Term Safety	Safe with balanced diet; deficiency risk otherwise	Generally safe	Safe depending on local quality	Safe for daily use

How a Balanced Diet Mitigates Risks

Most essential minerals come from food. A healthy diet provides the majority of required minerals. Thus, moderate distilled water consumption is unlikely to cause deficiency if your diet is adequate. If your diet is poor, relying solely on distilled water could contribute to deficiencies.

When to Use Distilled Water

Distilled water's purity makes it ideal for specific applications:

Household Appliances: Prevents mineral buildup in irons and humidifiers.
Medical Devices: Used in CPAP machines and sterilizers to avoid deposits.
Laboratory Work: Ensures no contaminants affect experiments.
Aquariums: Used as a base with added supplements for specific aquatic needs.

Conclusion: A Matter of Context

Distilled water is pure H2O with no minerals, making it suitable for specific uses and safe for occasional drinking. However, it lacks essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium, making it less ideal for long-term hydration if diet is not sufficient to replace lost minerals. Water containing minerals is generally preferred for daily drinking, but a healthy diet can compensate if distilled water is necessary. The best water choice depends on individual needs and circumstances..

For more on health risks of demineralized water, refer to the World Health Organization report, "Health Risks from Drinking Demineralised Water."

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, distilled water is safe to drink, especially for short-term periods. The primary risk with long-term consumption is potential mineral deficiencies if your diet does not adequately replace the minerals lost through sweat and normal bodily functions.

The most significant difference is the mineral content. Distilled water has virtually no minerals, while tap water retains naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium. The taste and health benefits are directly influenced by this difference.

Demineralized water is considered 'aggressive' and can absorb minerals it comes in contact with. While a balanced diet largely offsets this, some health experts suggest long-term reliance solely on distilled water could potentially lead to some leaching of minerals from the body.

Yes, you can use distilled water for cooking. However, be aware that cooking with distilled water will not contribute any minerals to your meal. For recipes where mineral content affects the final product, such as brewing coffee, this may alter the taste.

Distilled water tastes flat because the distillation process removes all dissolved minerals and gasses, which are what give other types of water their flavor. Without these elements, the taste is noticeably bland.

Distilled water can be used for plants, especially for species that are sensitive to minerals and salts often found in tap water. However, it lacks nutrients, so you may need to add specific plant food or supplements to ensure proper growth.

You can add minerals back to distilled water by purchasing mineral drops or by adding a small amount of electrolyte mix. You can also mix it with a mineral-rich water source, like spring water, to balance the content.