Which Purified Water Is Best for Health?

According to the World Health Organization, contaminated drinking water causes more than 500,000 deaths from diarrhea each year, highlighting the critical importance of water purity. But when faced with a variety of options, many people wonder: which purified water is best for health? The answer depends on your local tap water quality, personal health needs, and specific purification methods.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the different types of purified water, such as reverse osmosis and distilled, and their impact on health. It covers the pros and cons of each, helping you make an informed decision for safe and effective hydration.

Key Points

• Reverse Osmosis is ideal for filtering hard or contaminated water: It effectively removes heavy metals and a wide range of impurities, making it a reliable choice for areas with poor tap water quality.

• Distilled water is the purest form of water, but lacks minerals: This is best for specialized uses, like medical equipment, and not recommended for long-term daily consumption due to the removal of essential minerals.

• Carbon filtration improves the taste and smell of tap water: A simple and cost-effective option for addressing chlorine and other taste-related issues in municipal water, while retaining natural minerals.

• Mineral-enhanced water provides additional health benefits: For those concerned about mineral loss from purification, some systems re-add minerals, while natural mineral or spring water contains them naturally, aiding in bone health and hydration.

• The healthiest choice depends on your specific circumstances: Factors like your local water quality, budget, and personal health needs should guide your decision, with filtered tap water being a strong choice for most people.

• Staying hydrated is more important than the water type: While the source matters, ensuring you drink enough fluids consistently is the most crucial step for overall health.

Understanding the Various Types of Purified Water

The term “purified water” can encompass several different filtration methods, each with unique characteristics and outcomes. To determine which is best for you, it's crucial to understand the most common types and how they affect the water's composition and health properties.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

Reverse Osmosis is a popular purification method that uses pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane. This membrane blocks larger molecules and contaminants, including heavy metals like lead and arsenic, dissolved salts, and certain chemicals. The result is highly pure water, but it's important to note that the process also removes beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. Some modern RO systems include a final stage that re-adds essential minerals to improve taste and nutritional value.

Pros:

• Removes a very high percentage of contaminants, including lead, nitrates, and fluoride.
• Provides clean, good-tasting water by eliminating chlorine and other odor-causing substances.
• Can be installed conveniently at home, providing a continuous supply.

Cons:

• Removes beneficial minerals, which must be supplemented through diet or a remineralization filter.
• Wastes a significant amount of water during the filtration process.
• Requires regular maintenance and filter replacements.

Distilled Water

Distillation involves boiling water into steam and then condensing the steam back into a liquid, leaving virtually all contaminants and minerals behind. This method produces the purest form of water (H₂O) but is energy-intensive and results in a product with a flat taste.

Pros:

• Removes nearly 100% of all contaminants and dissolved solids.
• Excellent for specific applications, such as medical equipment (CPAP machines) and scientific experiments, where mineral-free water is required.

Cons:

• Removes all beneficial minerals, which is not ideal for long-term daily drinking unless your diet is rich in minerals.
• Energy-intensive and slow process.
• Often described as having a bland, flat taste.

Carbon-Filtered Water

Activated carbon filtration systems work by trapping contaminants through adsorption, effectively removing chlorine, pesticides, and other volatile organic compounds that cause bad tastes and odors. While highly effective for certain impurities, they do not remove all contaminants, such as heavy metals or dissolved solids.

Pros:

• Significantly improves the taste and smell of tap water.
• Cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to bottled water.
• Retains beneficial minerals naturally present in the source water.

Cons:

• Less effective at removing heavy metals and dissolved solids than RO or distillation.
• Filters require regular replacement to prevent contaminant build-up.

Comparison Table: Which Purification Method is Right for You?

Feature	Reverse Osmosis (RO)	Distilled Water	Carbon-Filtered Water
Contaminant Removal	Excellent (removes 90-99% of contaminants, including heavy metals, nitrates, and fluoride).	Highest Purity (removes virtually all contaminants and dissolved solids).	Good (removes chlorine, bad tastes, and odors, but not all contaminants).
Mineral Content	Low (removes beneficial minerals, though some systems re-add them).	None (removes all minerals).	High (retains natural minerals).
Taste	Clean and soft, especially with remineralization.	Flat and bland due to lack of minerals.	Improved taste, but still reflects source water mineral profile.
Cost & Maintenance	Higher initial cost and ongoing filter replacements; uses more water.	Energy-intensive, requires periodic cleaning of equipment.	Lower cost, but requires consistent filter changes.
Best For	Improving water quality in areas with high TDS, hard water, or heavy metal concerns.	Specialized uses (medical, lab work) or short-term detoxification, not everyday drinking.	Improving the taste and odor of already safe tap water.

The Verdict: So, Which Purified Water Is Best for Health?

For most people, a safe and sustainable solution like high-quality filtered tap water is the best choice. It provides hydration, retains natural and beneficial minerals, and is more affordable and eco-friendly than bottled options. A reverse osmosis system with a remineralization stage is an excellent choice if your local water quality is poor or has high levels of dissolved solids, as it offers a high degree of purification while restoring essential nutrients. For those with compromised immune systems or who require extreme purity for specific applications, distilled water may be necessary, though it is not recommended for regular, long-term consumption without supplementing lost minerals. The key is to assess your personal needs and local water quality to make an informed decision.

Ultimately, the healthiest water to drink is a combination of safety, taste, and mineral content that suits your individual lifestyle. By understanding the purification methods, you can choose the right approach for your family's health and well-being. For more information on assessing your local water quality, check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website for drinking water regulations and consumer confidence reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is drinking only purified water bad for your health?

Drinking only purified water, particularly distilled or reverse osmosis water without added minerals, is not inherently dangerous in the short term but can lead to a lack of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium over time. For long-term hydration, a balanced diet or mineral-enhanced water is recommended.

Does purified water cause mineral deficiencies?

Yes, some purification methods like distillation and reverse osmosis remove a high percentage of beneficial minerals. If your diet is not rich in these minerals, relying solely on highly purified water could contribute to a mineral deficiency.

Is reverse osmosis water the same as distilled water?

No, they are different purification processes. Reverse osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities, while distillation involves boiling water and collecting the steam. Distilled water removes virtually all minerals and contaminants, while RO may retain a small amount of minerals unless specially treated.

Why does distilled water taste flat?

Distilled water tastes flat because the distillation process removes all dissolved minerals, salts, and organic compounds. These minerals give water its characteristic taste, and without them, the flavor profile is neutral and unappealing to many people.

How can I tell if my tap water is safe to drink?

In many developed countries, tap water is regulated and safe, but quality can vary. You can check your local municipal water authority's annual consumer confidence report or contact them for water quality testing to identify any contaminants of concern.

Is bottled purified water better than tap water?

In many cases, bottled purified water is not necessarily better than filtered tap water. It is often just tap water that has gone through additional purification. Filtered tap water is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Do all water filters remove the same contaminants?

No, different water filters target different contaminants. Activated carbon filters remove chlorine and bad tastes, while reverse osmosis is needed for removing heavy metals and dissolved solids. For microorganism removal, a UV filter or boiling is most effective.