What Is Distilled Water and Can You Drink It?

What is distilled water? Can you drink it?

There are many kinds of drinking water on the market. Distillation is one way people try to get very low-mineral water.

Municipal tap water is treated to legal standards, but many families still prefer to filter it. This article explains what distilled water is, how distillation works, and why some people choose a mineral-retaining gravity filter instead.

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is steam from boiling water that has cooled back into liquid. The process leaves many impurities behind, including some heavy metals, pesticides, and minerals.

When done in a proper still, distillation can reduce a very high percentage of dissolved contaminants. It also removes beneficial minerals.

How Distillation Works

A home still or a commercial unit boils water, captures the steam, and condenses it into a clean container.

Do not treat “any water you find outdoors” as a distillation project. Use municipally treated tap water if you are experimenting at home, and follow equipment directions.

Storing Distilled Water

Keep it in a clean, closed container away from sunlight. Distilled water can pick up flavors from the container.

Can You Drink Distilled Water?

Yes. It often tastes flat because the minerals are gone. Some people add minerals back for taste.

Risks of Drinking Only Distilled Water

It lacks potassium and other electrolytes. Some people report cramps or tiredness if it is their only water. It is a poor choice as the sole water during illness, malnutrition, or heavy exercise.

Uses of Distilled Water

It is used for some medical devices, labs, cosmetics, and car cooling systems because it leaves little mineral residue.

Other uses include some infant-formula directions and neti-pot instructions when sterile or distilled water is specified. Follow the product or doctor directions.

Cooking, Hair, Cleaning, and Pets

Distilled water can change the taste of recipes and reduce mineral spots on glass. Hard shower water can leave mineral film on hair. Distilled water in an iron can reduce scale.

Pets can drink filtered tap water. Talk with a vet about special cases. Do not assume tap water is “full of waterborne illness,” and do not use untreated outdoor water.

Why Water and Minerals Matter

Water helps move nutrients and supports normal body function. It makes up a large share of body weight. See Medical News Today on body water.

Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium come mostly from food. Michigan Medicine has a plain overview. If you drink only distilled water, get minerals from food or talk with a clinician.

Other Types of Water

Groundwater is water in aquifers that often becomes municipal tap water after treatment.

Hard water is high in calcium and magnesium. It is common and can leave scale. USGS explains hardness.

Reverse osmosis pushes water through a membrane and reduces many dissolved solids, including minerals.

Should You Drink Distilled Water?

It is a choice. It is very low in minerals. People who want daily drinking water with minerals left in often prefer carbon filtration instead.

Distilled Water Alternatives

Activated carbon filters can reduce chlorine, pesticides, lead, and compounds that affect taste and odor, while helping keep beneficial minerals.

That is why many families use a Berkey gravity system. Official replacements are the Phoenix filters.

Get Cleaner Tap Water

If you want low-mineral water for appliances, distillation can help. If you want everyday drinking water that still has minerals, choose a quality gravity filter.

Shop Berkey systems.