What are benefits of drinking distilled water
Executive summary
Distilled water is produced by boiling water and condensing the steam, producing a very “pure” liquid free of dissolved minerals, many chemicals and microbes, which can make it a safer choice where source water is contaminated [1] [2]. Its main practical benefits are removal of contaminants and predictable purity, balanced against the loss of beneficial minerals that are present in most tap and many bottled waters [3] [4].
1. What distilled water actually does: near-total removal of contaminants
Distillation removes dissolved salts, metals, many chemicals, and microorganisms because only water vapor is collected in the condensing step, so distilled water is among the purest drinking options and is recommended where contaminants like lead, arsenic, nitrates or microbial risk are present [1] [5] [6]. Proponents point out distillation can eliminate chlorine, fluoride and other additives that some consumers try to avoid, and manufacturers claim removal efficiencies up to very high levels for many impurities [5] [7].
2. Clinical and situational benefits: when purity matters
Clinically, distilled water is often recommended in specific settings where mineral-free water is needed — for CPAP machines and medical devices, and sometimes for vulnerable patients or those undergoing treatments where electrolyte control is critical — and clinicians and some medical guides note it is safe to drink in the short term [8] [9] [4]. In regions with poor municipal treatment or private well contamination, distillation can be an effective safeguard against waterborne disease and toxic metals [6] [5].
3. Hydration and “detox” claims: what holds up and what doesn’t
Staying hydrated with any clean water supports physiological detoxification processes and overall health, and distilled water serves that basic hydration role as well as any purified or bottled water [9] [8]. Claims that distilled water uniquely “cleanses” the body or dramatically reshapes digestion or the microbiome are far less well supported in mainstream medical reporting; some advocacy and naturopathic sources promote broad detox benefits, but major health outlets caution that most detox effects are due to hydration in general rather than a special property of distilled water [10] [11].
4. Downsides tied to demineralization: nutrients and taste
The clearest trade-off is that distillation strips out minerals such as calcium, magnesium and trace electrolytes, which give water flavor and contribute small amounts to daily mineral intake; public health bodies and medical summaries warn prolonged exclusive use could modestly affect mineral balance unless those nutrients are obtained from food or supplements [4] [2] [1]. Many people also find distilled water flat or bland, which can reduce voluntary fluid intake for some and thus undermine hydration goals [4] [8].
5. Who may benefit most — and who should be cautious
People with compromised local water quality, those on strict sodium-reduction diets, individuals requiring mineral-free water for medical devices, and some immunocompromised patients are plausible beneficiaries of distilled water’s purity [6] [9]. Conversely, healthy people who rely on drinking water as a minor source of minerals should ensure dietary compensation; medical reviewers note that most minerals are obtained from food and that kidneys regulate mineral balance, but authoritative sources still recommend assessing overall diet and consulting a healthcare professional for long-term exclusive use [12] [3] [1].
6. Reading the messaging: commercial enthusiasm vs. mainstream caution
Many commercial distiller vendors and wellness sites emphasize purity and anecdotal health gains and may underplay the mineral trade-offs; those sources often have an implicit commercial agenda to sell distillers [11] [13] [12]. By contrast, clinical and public-health oriented outlets stress safety of distilled water while flagging the lack of minerals as a practical downside and urge balanced diets or choosing purified waters that retain some electrolytes when appropriate [4] [3] [1].
7. Practical takeaway
Distilled water’s core benefit is reliable removal of contaminants and microbes, making it a sensible choice when source water quality is suspect or when equipment or clinical circumstances require mineral-free water; for most people, however, the advantage is modest and must be weighed against the loss of minerals and possible taste-driven reduced intake, so dietary balance or choosing a purified water that retains minerals is often a reasonable middle path [5] [3] [4].