Can You Drink Distilled Water? Side Effects, Uses, And More

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Can You Drink Distilled Water?Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on July 10, 2023

• Side effects
• Distilled water vs. purified water
• Common uses
• Takeaway

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.

Side effects of distilled water: Pros and cons

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 vs. purified water

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.

Common uses for distilled 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

Takeaway

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.

 

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Dangerous distilled water? (2015).https://van.physics.illinois.edu/ask/listing/28557
• Ingram C. (2011). The drinking water book: How to eliminate harmful toxins from your water.Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts.
• Martin A. (2011). Don’t drink the water (from your dehumidifier): Nitty-gritty.https://stanfordmag.org/contents/don-t-drink-the-water-from-your-dehumidifier-nitty-gritty
• Q&A: Dangerous distilled water? (2015).https://van.physics.illinois.edu/ask/listing/28557
• Water health series: Filtration facts. (n.d.).https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/2005_11_17_faq_fs_healthseries_filtration.pdf
• Water health series: Bottled water basics. (n.d.).https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/2005_09_14_faq_fs_healthseries_bottledwater.pdf
• Water quality and common treatments for private drinking water systems. (2023).https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B939&title=water-quality-and-common-treatments-for-private-drinking-water-systems

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Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on July 10, 2023

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