People have been trying to clean their water for thousands of years. Distillation is one of the oldest and most effective hacks to separate liquid from contaminants.
You’ve likely heard of distillation, but you might not know exactly how the process works. More importantly, is it actually safe to drink?
In this article, we explain exactly what distilled water is and how it’s made. We will also weigh the pros and cons to help you decide if it belongs in your glass.
Key Takeaways
- Distilled water is made by boiling water into steam and condensing it back into a liquid to remove minerals and impurities.
- Drinking it can lower your risk of waterborne diseases and reduce your intake of harmful chemicals often found in tap water.
- The taste is often described as “flat,” and the lack of minerals like calcium and magnesium can cause electrolyte imbalances if your diet isn’t balanced.
- It is safe to drink distilled water daily, provided you get your essential nutrients from food sources.
What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is a type of purified water that has had both its sediment and mineral content removed (1). The process is straightforward: you boil water, collect the rising steam, and let it cool down to return to a liquid state (2). Because minerals and impurities don’t boil at the same temperature, they get left behind. The result is water free from microbes, minerals, and salt.
Filtering water is different. Standard filters remove microbes but usually leave the minerals alone. Spring water works this way naturally; it gets filtered by the rocks it flows over.
Aside from distillation, there are two other common ways to process pure water.
The first is reverse osmosis. This pushes water through a semipermeable membrane to filter out salt and impurities (3). It is a common method for desalinating seawater to make it drinkable (4).
The second method is deionization. This process uses ion exchange materials to pull salt and other mineral ions out of the water (5).
Many people turn to bottled water because they worry about tap water quality. In fact, bottled water consumption in the U.S. jumped from 16 gallons per person in 1999 to 42 gallons in 2017 (6).
Benefits of Drinking Distilled Water
Distillation is a reliable, time-tested method for purification. Here is why you might want to drink it:
1. Reduced Risk of Disease
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites need a specific environment to survive. When water is boiled and turned to steam, these dangerous microbes are left behind or killed by the heat. This makes distilled water an incredibly safe option if you are worried about waterborne illnesses.
2. Fewer Chemicals
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets legal limits on chemicals in drinking water (7). While they have zero tolerance for dangerous carcinogens, other chemicals are permitted in small amounts.
Depending on where you live, your tap water could still contain trace amounts of pesticides or nitrates. Distilled water removes these almost entirely. If your local municipal supply is questionable, distilled water offers a cleaner alternative.
Disadvantages of Drinking Distilled Water
Purity doesn’t always equal hydration perfection. There are some downsides to stripping water of its natural components.
1. It Tastes Flat
Minerals give water its flavor. When you remove them, the water can taste “flat” or unappealing. If you don’t enjoy the taste, you might end up drinking less, which defeats the purpose of staying hydrated.
2. Mineral Deficiency Risks
Calcium and magnesium are vital for your body (8). You typically get these from a mix of food and water.
If you rely solely on distilled water and have a poor diet, you might miss out on these nutrients. Over a long period, severe mineral deficiencies can increase the risk of issues like osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease (9).
3. Lack of Mineral Replacement
When you sweat or urinate, your body loses water and minerals (10). You need to replace them to keep your system running smoothly.
Since distilled water is empty of minerals, it hydrates you but doesn’t replenish those lost electrolytes. You must rely on food to bridge that gap.
Be Aware
4. Electrolyte and pH Imbalance
Drinking distilled water exclusivey can mess with your body’s pH and electrolyte levels.
Distilled water is naturally more acidic than tap water. While it starts with a neutral pH of 7, it quickly absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, dropping the pH to around 5.8 (11). This acidity, combined with a lack of minerals, can upset your body’s delicate balance (12).
Symptoms of this imbalance include muscle cramps, fatigue, and headaches (13). This isn’t unique to distillation; reverse osmosis and deionized water can cause similar issues if they aren’t remineralized.
5. Environmental Impact
The distillation process leaves behind highly saline, mineral-heavy waste water. If not disposed of correctly, this brine can negatively affect the surrounding ecosystem.
6. Storage Contamination
Distilled water is “hungry” water. Because it has no minerals of its own, it easily absorbs substances from its container. This is a problem with cheap plastic bottles, especially in heat (14).
Chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) can leach from the plastic into your pure water (15). While the FDA regulates bottled water packaging (16), it is always safer to store distilled water in glass or high-quality stainless steel.
Common Uses for Distilled Water
Because it lacks minerals that cause limescale buildup, distilled water is incredibly useful around the house. Common uses include:
- Steam Irons: Prevents mineral clogging in the steam vents.
- Aquariums: Allows you to control the exact water chemistry for your fish.
- Car Maintenance: Used for cooling systems and topping up lead-acid batteries.
- Medical Devices: Essential for CPAP machines to prevent bacterial growth and mineral buildup.
- Houseplants: Great for sensitive plants that react poorly to chlorine or tap water minerals.
FAQs
Can You Drink Distilled Water Everyday?
Yes, you can drink distilled water daily if you enjoy the taste. Just be mindful of storage. Distilled water acts like a magnet for minerals, meaning it can absorb trace amounts of plastic from low-quality bottles. It is best to keep it in glass or high-grade steel containers.
Is Distilled Water Good for the Kidneys?
It can be beneficial. Because it is pure, distilled water helps flush out toxins effectively. It also prevents the intake of inorganic minerals that can contribute to kidney stones, lightening the load on your filtration system.
Can You Use Distilled Water for Cooking?
Experts advise against it. Cooking with distilled water can pull minerals out of your food, reducing the nutritional value of your meal. You want your water to add minerals or at least stay neutral, not strip them away from your vegetables.
Is It Ok to Use Distilled Water to Make Coffee?
It is great for the machine but bad for the flavor. Using distilled water prevents scale buildup in your espresso maker, extending its life. However, coffee needs some mineral content to extract the right flavors from the beans. Coffee made with distilled water often tastes flat or overly acidic.
Does Distilled Water Help You Lose Weight?
Not directly. There is no scientific proof that distilled water burns fat faster than tap water. However, water is a “negative-calorie” food; your body burns a tiny amount of energy to process it. Swapping sugary sodas for distilled water will definitely help with weight loss, but that applies to any plain water.
Should I Drink Purified or Distilled Water?
Purified water is generally the better daily choice for most people. It goes through filtration to remove contaminants but often retains (or adds back) healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium. Distilled water is a specific type of purified water that lacks these nutrients completely.
Is Boiled Water the Same as Distilled Water?
No. Boiling water kills bacteria, but the dead microbes and minerals remain in the pot. Distillation goes a step further by boiling the water into steam and then collecting that steam in a separate container, leaving the dead microbes and minerals behind completely.
Final Verdict: Is Distilled Water Safe?
Short answer: Yes. You can drink distilled water safely. The key is balance. If you drink it regularly, ensure your diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy to cover your mineral needs.
Consider why you want to make the switch. If your local tap water is contaminated or you need it for medical equipment, distilled is a great option. However, if you just want cleaner water for hydration, a standard filtration system might be cheaper and tastier.
