Can You Drink Distilled Water? (2024)

Distilled water is safe to drink. However, it does not contain the same minerals as tap water. It may also have a flatter, less flavorful taste than tap and bottled waters.

Companies produce distilled water by boiling water and then condensing the collected steam back into a liquid. This process removes impurities and minerals from the water.

Some sources claim that drinking distilled water will help detoxify your body and improve your health. Others claim distilled water leaches minerals from your body and could put your health at risk. In reality, neither of these claims is entirely true.

Aside from its flat taste, distilled water doesn’t provide you with minerals like calcium and magnesium that you get from tap water.

Because you already get most of the minerals you need from your diet, drinking distilled water shouldn’t make you deficient. Still, if you’re going to drink distilled water, it’s a good idea to make sure you get your recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

Depending on where you live, distilled water could be better for you than tap water. If your town’s water is tainted with harmful chemicals or pesticides, you’re safer drinking distilled.

Distilled water is a type of purified water that has had both contaminants and minerals removed. Purified water has had chemicals and contaminants removed, but it may still contain minerals.

Purified water is filtered through one of these processes:

  • Reverse osmosis filters the water through a special material called a semipermeable membrane. This material allows fluid to go through, but it removes salt and impurities.
  • Distillation boils the water, and then condenses the steam back into a liquid to remove impurities and minerals.
  • Deionization removes salt and other mineral ions (molecules) from water.

Because distilled water has been stripped of its minerals, it’s often used in cars and household appliances. Here are a few common uses:

  • steam irons
  • aquariums (mineral supplements should be added to the fish food)
  • watering plants
  • car cooling systems
  • laboratory experiments
  • certain medical devices, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices for sleep apnea

Distilled water isn’t likely to dramatically improve your health, but it probably won’t hurt it either. If you don’t mind the taste and you get enough minerals from a well-balanced diet, it’s fine to drink distilled.

You can also use distilled water around the house. Pour it in your iron or your car’s cooling system to prevent mineral buildup. Or, use it to water your plants or fill your aquarium.

Can You Drink Distilled Water? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Drink Distilled Water? ›

Distilled water is safe to drink. But you'll probably find it flat or bland. That's because it's stripped of important minerals like calcium, sodium, and magnesium that give tap water its familiar flavor. What's left is just hydrogen and oxygen and nothing else.

Why is it not recommended to drink distilled water? ›

To stay hydrated, you need water with minerals, or a sports drink with added electrolytes to replace what's lost through sweat. Distilled water cannot make up for what expels from the body because distillation removes electrolytes. Similarly, if you're sick or malnourished, you need all the minerals you can get.

What does distilled water do if you drink it? ›

This process removes impurities and minerals from the water. Some sources claim that drinking distilled water will help detoxify your body and improve your health. Others claim distilled water leaches minerals from your body and could put your health at risk. In reality, neither of these claims is entirely true.

Is distilled water good for your kidneys? ›

May be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions: Distilled water may be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, as it is free from minerals and other impurities that can be harmful to people with compromised kidney function.

Is distilled water better than purified water? ›

Purified water, with its balanced mineral content, is generally suitable for daily consumption, especially in regions with acceptable tap water quality. Distilled water, while exceptionally pure, may not be the ideal choice for regular drinking due to its lack of essential minerals.

What is the healthiest water to drink? ›

Without a doubt, spring water is the winner. It is considered the best water to drink, providing vital nutrients as it moves through the body. This is, of course, spring water that is bottled at the source and proven to be actual living spring water.

Why do some people prefer drinking distilled water? ›

Distilled water is essentially free of contaminants like pesticides and bacteria, which could be especially helpful to those with weakened immune systems.

Should you water plants with distilled water? ›

While the distillation process helps remove contaminants that can be harmful to plants, it also removes minerals that are good for plants. Over time, using distilled water for plants can result in stunted growth and discoloration because they aren't getting the nutrients they need.

How to make distilled water drinkable? ›

The main thing that people worry about regarding drinking distilled water is the possibility that it may draw ions out of your body by osmosis. If you're worried about that, add whatever (non-toxic) salt you can find. As other contributors suggested, table salt will do. Distilled water does not taste well.

Is boiled water the same as distilled water? ›

No, boiled water is not the same as distilled water. Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms, but it doesn't remove all impurities such as minerals and salts. Distilled water, on the other hand, is water that has been boiled into steam and then cooled to return it to its liquid state.

What does distilled water do for hair? ›

If you would like your hair to look shinier and healthier, we highly recommend using distilled water instead of your regular tap water. Distilled water is pure and free from any hard mineral build up or harsh chemicals like chlorine. This makes distilled water an excellent addition to your hair care regimen.

What is the healthiest water for kidneys? ›

Pure, naturally-filtered water is the best thing you can drink for good kidney health. And installing a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and convenient bottled water cooler can be the best way to get it.

Is Aquafina distilled water? ›

Aquafina originates from public water sources and is then purified through a rigorous purification process. This purification process includes reverse osmosis and other filtering and purification methods. It removes things like chlorides, salts and other substances that can affect a water's taste.

Why is distilled water not all good for drinking? ›

According to the WHO, these and other associated health problems are partly due to the lack of minerals and electrolytes in distilled water. This lack forces unhealthy changes in the delicate balance of sodium, potassium, fluid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and other nutrients in the body.

Does distilled water hydrate you? ›

So you may miss out on a bit of these micronutrients if you drink only the distilled stuff. Some studies have found a link between drinking water low in calcium and magnesium and tiredness, muscle cramps, weakness, and heart disease. Also, distilled water may not help you stay hydrated as well as other kinds of water.

Who should drink distilled water? ›

If you maintain a healthy and balanced diet, drinking distilled water will not leave a major impact since you're getting vital minerals from other sources, according to Healthline. But if you plan to drink distilled water consistently, it is important to keep up your daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

What can I use instead of distilled water? ›

If distilled or filtered water is unavailable, you can consider using bottled water as an alternative. Look for bottles labeled as “distilled” or “purified” to help minimize mineral content. However, keep in mind that not all bottled waters are created equal, and some may still contain minerals and additives.

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