Is Distilled Water Good to Drink?

When it comes to drinking water, purity sounds like a good thing. Distilled water is often praised as one of the purest forms of water, as it’s vaporized water that’s been condensed back into liquid much like rainwater.

Some people swear by it, while others warn that it might not be the healthiest choice long term. In this article, we’ll break down what distilled water actually is, how it’s made, the potential benefits and drawbacks of drinking it, how it stacks up against other types of water, and why many people turn to filtered water as a smarter everyday option.

Distilled water is water that’s been boiled into steam and then condensed back into liquid in a separate container. This simple but powerful process is called distillation and removes impurities like bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, and minerals. What’s left behind is a type of water that’s about as “pure” as it gets, free from almost everything except H₂O molecules.

To make distilled water, regular water is heated until it vaporizes. As the steam rises, it leaves most contaminants and minerals behind. The steam is then cooled and collected, turning into water that no longer contains those dissolved substances.

This is different from filtered water, which passes through materials like activated carbon or specialized membranes to trap contaminants while typically keeping naturally occurring minerals intact. Distilled water, on the other hand, removes both the good and the bad, making it unique among water types.

Yes, distilled water is generally safe to drink. Because it’s been boiled and condensed, it doesn’t contain the contaminants that can sometimes be found in tap water, such as bacteria, pesticides, or heavy metals. In that sense, it’s one of the cleanest types of drinking water you can get.

However, its purity comes with a tradeoff. Distilled water is stripped of naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium. Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have noted that consuming demineralized water long-term could potentially impact mineral intake and even the body’s electrolyte balance, especially for children, athletes, or people with specific health conditions. Most experts agree that occasional distilled water is fine, but it may not be the best choice for your main source of hydration day after day.

Even though distilled water has its critics, there are benefits that make it appealing to some households and industries. Its defining feature, extreme purity, can be useful in specific situations where control over what’s in the water really matters.

Here are some of the main reasons people use or drink distilled water:

• Free from most contaminants: The distillation process removes bacteria, viruses, pesticides, heavy metals, and other impurities that can be found in untreated or poorly regulated water sources.
• No chlorine or byproducts: Since distillation involves boiling, chlorine and many of its disinfection byproducts are eliminated, leaving the water with a very neutral profile.
• Useful for people with compromised immune systems: In medical settings, distilled water is often preferred because it’s less likely to contain microorganisms that could cause illness in vulnerable individuals.
• Helpful for certain appliances and lab use: Many people use distilled water in humidifiers, CPAP machines, and laboratory equipment because it doesn’t leave behind mineral buildup or residue.
• Consistent composition: Unlike tap water, which can vary depending on the source and local treatment methods, distilled water is the same every time, making it reliable for applications that require consistency. For example, people who use steam irons or humidifiers often prefer distilled water because it doesn’t contain minerals that vary by region. That consistency helps prevent scale buildup and keeps devices running smoothly over time.
• Safe short-term alternative: In emergencies or travel situations where the safety of tap water is uncertain, distilled water offers a clean, dependable option.

These advantages are why distilled water is common in hospitals, laboratories, and households that need exceptionally clean water for specific purposes. While it’s not a nutritional powerhouse, its purity can be reassuring if you’re concerned about contaminants or want to avoid unknown additives.

For everyday hydration, though, it’s important to remember that these benefits don’t necessarily make distilled water the healthiest choice long-term, which brings us to the downsides.