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Can You Drink Distilled Water?

Nicks J
As distillation effectively purifies water, there is no harm in drinking it. Read on to know what happens if you drink distilled water for long periods of time.
The process of distillation involves separating water from its contaminants by first boiling it. As water is heated above its boiling point, it begins to evaporate and forms water vapors (steam). The steam is then allowed to condense, which transforms these water vapors again to liquid state. Thus, the liquid from condensation is nothing but distilled water.

Should you Drink Distilled Water?

Yes, of course!. Distillation is one of the most reliable methods of purifying water. It effectively removes all the contaminants such as bacteria as well as other harmful microbes from water. So, there is no doubt that distilled water is fit for consumption.
However, many people ask "Is distilled water same as that of spring water?" Obviously not! A comparison of distilled water vs spring water has revealed that all the health promoting minerals found in spring water are not present in distilled water.
Although distilled water lacks in essential minerals, it doesn't mean that one should stay away from distilled water. The daily dosage of minerals required for a healthy living can always be fulfilled by following a well-balanced nutritious diet.

Can you Drink Distilled Water all the Time?

Now, the question is "Can distilled water be a substitute for normal filtered water?" Studies show that drinking distilled water daily for a long duration is not a good option. People undergoing a detox program are often advised to have distilled water. Intake of distilled water for a short duration can work wonders to cleanse the body off its toxins.
However, along with the toxins, essential minerals too get eliminated from the body. Thus, distilled water taken for an extended duration can rob the body off its nutrients that help to maintain health.
Studies also indicate that regular daily consumption of distilled water may eventually raise the acidity levels in the body. This is because exposure to air makes it acidic. The carbon dioxide contained in air is readily absorbed by distilled water. This in turn increases the pH value of distilled water.
Thus, drinking distilled water everyday for long periods may lower the body pH, thereby increasing the body acidity. So, what are the health problems that may occur when body pH slides down? They are mentioned here:
  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion
  • Impaired immune system
  • Malabsorption of nutrients from ingested food
  • Dry skin
  • Mouth sores

Ineffective Thirst Quencher

When it comes to quenching thirst, distilled water scores low due to its extremely low mineral content. Also, giving distilled water to patients suffering from dehydration is a bad choice. Being a non-electrolyte, drinking this demineralized water would not help to improve the patient's condition.
Dehydration deplete electrolytes in our body and so in such circumstances taking mineral water or sports drink like 'Gatorade' is helpful to restore electrolyte balance. Also, cooking vegetables in distilled water has its own drawbacks.
Distilled water with negligible mineral content can have a negative impact on nutritional value of vegetables. The nutritional content of vegetables may go down if this demineralized water is used for cooking.
On the whole, drinking this water for a short period such as for detoxification is in fact beneficial for health. However, using this water for months for the purpose of drinking would not be a wise decision.
Disclaimer: The information provided in thisĀ item is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.