Fact check: Is distilled water bad to drink?

1. Summary of the results

Distilled water is fundamentally safe to drink ^[1], but the complete picture is more nuanced. The distillation process removes 99.5% of impurities ^[2], including both harmful contaminants and beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium ^{[2] [1]}. While this makes it an extremely pure form of water, it also means it lacks nutritional benefits found in regular tap water.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual factors should be considered:

• Distilled water can be beneficial in specific situations, particularly in areas with contaminated water supplies ^[1]
• The safety of distilled water consumption depends heavily on your overall diet - if you get sufficient minerals from food, drinking distilled water is generally fine ^{[1] [3]}
• Long-term consumption requires careful consideration and potentially medical consultation, especially for infant feeding ^{[3] [2]}
• Cooking with distilled water may further reduce mineral intake in your diet ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question oversimplifies a complex issue by seeking a binary "good/bad" answer. Several stakeholders might benefit from different narratives:

• Water purification companies benefit from promoting distilled water's purity and safety
• Mineral water companies benefit from emphasizing the importance of mineral content in water
• Healthcare providers benefit from a more nuanced approach, as demonstrated by recommendations to consult professionals ^{[3] [2]}

The reality is that distilled water's appropriateness depends on individual circumstances, overall diet, and local water quality, rather than being universally "good" or "bad."