Why is distilled water not good for human consumption?

December 22, 2025 •

2 min read

The distillation process, while effective at removing contaminants, also strips over 99.9% of essential minerals from water. This lack of minerals is a key reason why is distilled water not good for human consumption, especially on a regular basis.

Quick Summary

Distilled water is created by removing both impurities and essential minerals, leading to potential mineral deficiencies, electrolyte imbalance, and poor hydration if consumed regularly.

Key Points

Stripped of Minerals: The distillation process removes essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are vital for proper bodily function.
Electrolyte Imbalance: A lack of electrolytes in distilled water can disrupt the body's delicate fluid and electrolyte balance over time.
Leaches Minerals from the Body: Demineralized water is 'aggressive' and can pull minerals from your teeth, bones, and tissues.
Flat Taste: The absence of dissolved minerals gives distilled water a flat, unappealing taste, which can lead to reduced fluid intake.
Not for Long-Term Hydration: Regular, exclusive consumption can lead to mineral deficiencies if you are not getting enough from your diet.
Specific Health Issues: Long-term use without adequate mineral intake can cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, and weakness.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is a type of purified water produced by boiling and condensing steam, separating pure water from contaminants and dissolved minerals. While highly pure, this lack of minerals makes it unsuitable for long-term daily drinking.

The Critical Problem: Lack of Essential Minerals

Regular water contains minerals vital for bodily functions. Distilled water removes these, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Calcium: Essential for bones, teeth, muscles, and nerves.
Magnesium: Supports metabolism, muscle/nerve function, and blood sugar/pressure regulation.
Potassium: Key electrolyte for fluid balance, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions.

Drinking mineral-free water means missing a consistent source of these nutrients. Over time, this can contribute to deficiencies if diet is insufficient.

Electrolyte Imbalance and Poor Hydration

Electrolytes are charged minerals that balance fluids and regulate nerve/muscle function. Distilled water has no electrolytes, potentially disrupting this balance. Sweating or urinating loses both water and electrolytes. Replacing only water without minerals can hinder proper hydration and lead to fatigue, headaches, or cramps.

The "Hungry Water" Effect

Demineralized water is called "aggressive" because it seeks minerals. Regular consumption can pull minerals from body tissues, a concern noted by the WHO. While leaching from the body may be small, long-term effects on teeth and bones are possible. This property also risks leaching toxic metals from containers.

Comparison: Distilled Water vs. Other Types

Here’s how distilled water compares to mineral and tap water:


Feature	Distilled Water	Mineral Water	Tap Water
Mineral Content	Virtually none	Naturally rich in minerals	Varies, can be good source
Purity	Extremely pure	Generally pure, regulated	Treated to standards, may have traces
Taste	Flat or bland	Distinctive taste from minerals	Varies by source/treatment
Health Impact	Not ideal for long-term drinking	Provides essential minerals	Safe, convenient, potentially mineral-rich

Making an Informed Choice for Hydration

Distilled water is not optimal for daily drinking. Consider these alternatives:

Filtered Tap Water: Removes contaminants while keeping minerals.
Mineral Water: Naturally contains healthy minerals.
Re-mineralized Water: Add mineral drops to purified water.

Distilled water is excellent for non-consumptive uses like medical equipment or irons. For drinking, choosing mineral-rich water is healthier long-term. For more information, see this article from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diet/distilled-water-overview.

Conclusion

Occasional distilled water consumption is fine, but it's not recommended for regular long-term hydration. Distillation removes essential minerals and electrolytes, potentially causing deficiencies, imbalance, and a flat taste. A balanced diet and regular tap or mineral water are generally better for hydration and health.

How to Remineralize Distilled Water

To make distilled water drinkable, add minerals back in:

Use commercial mineral drops.
Stir in a pinch of pink Himalayan salt.
Use a remineralizing filter pitcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking distilled water occasionally is generally safe and will not cause harm, especially if you have a balanced diet that provides sufficient minerals.

Electrolytes are minerals in the body with an electrical charge, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. They are crucial for maintaining fluid balance, regulating nerve function, and controlling muscle contractions.

Yes, long-term or consistent consumption of distilled water can contribute to mineral deficiencies, particularly if your diet is not rich enough to compensate for the missing nutrients.

The flat or bland taste of distilled water is due to the complete removal of dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium during the distillation process.

Relying exclusively on distilled water for an extended period can lead to mineral deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances, potentially causing fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, and other health issues.

While a balanced diet is the main source of minerals, water provides a bioavailable and consistent supplement. The WHO notes that diet alone may not be enough to provide all necessary minerals, especially if consuming mineral-deficient water.

For daily hydration, better options include filtered tap water (which retains minerals), natural spring or mineral water, or re-mineralized water (where minerals are added back to purified water).

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that drinking distilled water detoxifies the body more effectively than regular water. Staying properly hydrated with any clean water helps the body's natural detoxification processes.