Why Don't We Drink Distilled Water? Health and Taste Facts

Q: Does distilled water leach minerals from the human body?

No, distilled water does not actively leach minerals from the body's tissues or bones. While it lacks minerals, the body maintains homeostasis through complex renal and hormonal systems that regulate electrolyte concentrations, regardless of the mineral content of the water consumed.

Q: What are the potential health risks of long-term consumption of demineralized water?

Long-term consumption of demineralized water may lead to electrolyte imbalances and reduced mineral intake, particularly in populations with limited dietary variety. Magnesium deficiency can occur because the heart and muscles require steady supplies of this mineral to function correctly. Calcium loss is sometimes associated with low-mineral water intake, potentially impacting bone density over many years. Hyponatremia risk increases if athletes replace fluids with distilled water without replenishing sodium lost through sweat. Gastric irritation is occasionally reported by individuals who find that the lack of buffering capacity in distilled water affects their digestive comfort.

Q: How does the distillation process remove contaminants and minerals from water?

Distillation mimics the natural water cycle by boiling water into steam, which leaves behind heavy metals, bacteria, and dissolved salts. The steam is then captured and cooled back into a liquid state in a separate container. This process is effective at removing non-volatile contaminants like lead or arsenic, which have much higher boiling points than water. A notable nuance is that distillation does not remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have boiling points lower than or similar to water. For example, certain pesticides or chlorine byproducts may vaporize alongside the water and condense into the final product. Unless the distillation unit includes a carbon pre-filter or a vent for volatile gases, these contaminants can remain in the distilled water supply.

Q: Is distilled water safe for use in humidifiers and medical equipment?

Yes, distilled water is recommended for these devices because it prevents the buildup of limescale and mineral deposits. Using tap water in a humidifier often results in white dust, which consists of aerosolized calcium and magnesium salts that can irritate the lungs when inhaled.

Q: Does distilled water have a distinct taste compared to tap or spring water?

Distilled water tastes flat because it lacks the dissolved ions that stimulate our taste receptors, resulting in a neutral, almost "empty" mouthfeel. A lot of people assume that distilled water is acidic because it has a low pH, but it is actually neutral or slightly acidic only because it rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form weak carbonic acid. This chemical reaction happens within minutes of exposure to the atmosphere, meaning the water you drink is rarely as pure as the water immediately exiting the distillation condenser.

Q: What does the World Health Organization state regarding the consumption of low-mineral water?

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that water with low mineral content, particularly low in calcium and magnesium, may have adverse effects on human health. Their research suggests that consuming water lacking these elements can lead to increased diuresis and a decrease in the body's mineral stores. This is because the body may lose more electrolytes through urine when the intake water is devoid of solutes, forcing the system to compensate by pulling minerals from internal reserves. One important exception is that the WHO acknowledges that water is not the primary source of minerals for most people. If an individual maintains a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, the minerals provided by food far outweigh those found in municipal water. Therefore, the health risks of demineralized water are primarily a concern for those with poor nutrition or those living in regions where dietary mineral intake is already insufficient.

Q: Can the body obtain sufficient minerals from food sources if water intake is distilled?

It is entirely possible to obtain sufficient minerals from food, provided the diet is varied enough to compensate for the absence of minerals in drinking water. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach are excellent sources of calcium, often providing more per serving than several liters of hard water. Nuts and seeds like almonds and pumpkin seeds provide significant amounts of magnesium, which is frequently stripped during the distillation process. Dairy products serve as a reliable baseline for daily mineral requirements, effectively negating the need for mineral-rich water. Whole grains contribute essential trace elements that make sure the body remains well-supplied even when the water source is highly purified.

Updated November 14, 2026 · 6 min read

Distilled water is created by boiling water into steam and condensing it back into a liquid, which leaves behind almost all dissolved solids. While this process effectively removes heavy metals and bacteria, it creates a product that is chemically stripped of its natural character. Drinking it won't cause immediate harm, but the absence of electrolytes makes it less satisfying to the palate and less efficient for hydration than mineral-rich alternatives.

What is the difference between distilled, purified, and mineral water?

Distilled water undergoes boiling and condensation to remove all dissolved solids, whereas purified water meets specific regulatory standards for purity, and mineral water must originate from a protected underground source with a constant mineral composition.

Water Type	Processing Method	Typical TDS (mg/L)
Distilled	Steam Distillation	< 1
Purified	Reverse Osmosis/Deionization	< 10
Spring	Natural Filtration	50–500
Mineral	Protected Source	250–1500

These Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) values illustrate the significant disparity in mineral density between processed water and natural sources.

Quick facts

Feature	Distilled Water	Mineral Water
Mineral Content	Near 0 mg/L	250–1500 mg/L
Taste Profile	Flat / Neutral	Crisp / Varied
Primary Use	Industrial / Lab	Human Consumption

Does distilled water leach minerals from the human body?

No, distilled water does not actively leach minerals from the body's tissues or bones. While it lacks minerals, the body maintains homeostasis through complex renal and hormonal systems that regulate electrolyte concentrations, regardless of the mineral content of the water consumed.

What are the potential health risks of long-term consumption of demineralized water?

Long-term consumption of demineralized water may lead to electrolyte imbalances and reduced mineral intake, particularly in populations with limited dietary variety.

Magnesium deficiency can occur because the heart and muscles require steady supplies of this mineral to function correctly.
Calcium loss is sometimes associated with low-mineral water intake, potentially impacting bone density over many years.
Hyponatremia risk increases if athletes replace fluids with distilled water without replenishing sodium lost through sweat.
Gastric irritation is occasionally reported by individuals who find that the lack of buffering capacity in distilled water affects their digestive comfort.

How does the distillation process remove contaminants and minerals from water?

Distillation mimics the natural water cycle by boiling water into steam, which leaves behind heavy metals, bacteria, and dissolved salts. The steam is then captured and cooled back into a liquid state in a separate container. This process is effective at removing non-volatile contaminants like lead or arsenic, which have much higher boiling points than water.

A notable nuance is that distillation does not remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have boiling points lower than or similar to water. For example, certain pesticides or chlorine byproducts may vaporize alongside the water and condense into the final product. Unless the distillation unit includes a carbon pre-filter or a vent for volatile gases, these contaminants can remain in the distilled water supply.

Is distilled water safe for use in humidifiers and medical equipment?

Yes, distilled water is recommended for these devices because it prevents the buildup of limescale and mineral deposits. Using tap water in a humidifier often results in white dust, which consists of aerosolized calcium and magnesium salts that can irritate the lungs when inhaled.

Does distilled water have a distinct taste compared to tap or spring water?

Distilled water tastes flat because it lacks the dissolved ions that stimulate our taste receptors, resulting in a neutral, almost "empty" mouthfeel. A lot of people assume that distilled water is acidic because it has a low pH, but it is actually neutral or slightly acidic only because it rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form weak carbonic acid. This chemical reaction happens within minutes of exposure to the atmosphere, meaning the water you drink is rarely as pure as the water immediately exiting the distillation condenser.

What does the World Health Organization state regarding the consumption of low-mineral water?

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that water with low mineral content, particularly low in calcium and magnesium, may have adverse effects on human health. Their research suggests that consuming water lacking these elements can lead to increased diuresis and a decrease in the body's mineral stores. This is because the body may lose more electrolytes through urine when the intake water is devoid of solutes, forcing the system to compensate by pulling minerals from internal reserves.

One important exception is that the WHO acknowledges that water is not the primary source of minerals for most people. If an individual maintains a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, the minerals provided by food far outweigh those found in municipal water. Therefore, the health risks of demineralized water are primarily a concern for those with poor nutrition or those living in regions where dietary mineral intake is already insufficient.

Can the body obtain sufficient minerals from food sources if water intake is distilled?

It is entirely possible to obtain sufficient minerals from food, provided the diet is varied enough to compensate for the absence of minerals in drinking water.

Leafy greens such as kale and spinach are excellent sources of calcium, often providing more per serving than several liters of hard water.
Nuts and seeds like almonds and pumpkin seeds provide significant amounts of magnesium, which is frequently stripped during the distillation process.
Dairy products serve as a reliable baseline for daily mineral requirements, effectively negating the need for mineral-rich water.
Whole grains contribute essential trace elements that make sure the body remains well-supplied even when the water source is highly purified.

What people often get wrong

Assuming it is the healthiest option. Many believe that removing all impurities makes water better, but the body relies on water to provide trace amounts of minerals that contribute to daily intake.
Using it for long-term hydration. Relying exclusively on demineralized water can lead to a lack of flavor satisfaction, causing people to drink less water than they need throughout the day.
Confusing distilled with filtered water. Simple home filters remove chlorine and sediment while leaving beneficial minerals intact, whereas distillation removes everything.

Choosing the right water for daily needs

Stick to spring or filtered tap water for your primary hydration needs to make sure you receive a consistent mineral balance. Reserve distilled water strictly for specialized equipment maintenance where mineral buildup is a concern.