Even though the topic of water quality is frequent in our daily life, we do not overemphasize it; and asked whether tap water or distilled water is the best to consume, you would probably have to think for a while in order to provide an answer.
So, can you drink distilled water? Yes, you can. Distilled water is the safest for human consumption because 99% of the bacteria, parasites, chemicals, and metals are removed. However, you have to make some effort to ensure you avoid any disadvantages of distilled water.
Benefits of distilled water
Let‘s have a quick look at the benefits of consuming distilled water:
- Gives an opportunity to supervise the process. If you use in-home water filters, you can follow and supervise the process and make sure that all the chemicals and other toxic parts dissolved in the water are removed. For example, tap water may have the following contaminants: arsenic, bacteria, viruses, chlorine, fluoride, mercury, nitrates, rust, sulfates, salt, lead, etc.
- Doesn’t have an unpleasant smell or taste. Distilled water provides a clean and fresh taste without metallic aftertaste or smell. After the water is purified, the unpleasant taste of smell disappears along with the bacteria, parasites, chemicals, and metals.
- Reduces consumption of chorine. As the specific smell that a swimming pool water has because of the disinfection with chlorine, the tap water is also being disinfected with chlorine before it reaches your house. That is another reason to use distilled water, as it contains nearly 99% less chlorine than tap water does.
- Reduces the risk of diseases. The water might have bacteria or viruses, which after entering the organism, might cause or increase the risk of disease and lower the immune system. What is more, as the distilled water contains no additives and is absolutely fresh, it may have cleansing and purify your body.
- Strengthens your health. As our body contains 80% of water, it is important to ensure that every sip of water we take is not contaminated. It may be also mentioned that distilled water protects cells, keeps the body from overheating, lubricates joints perfectly, and helps remove waste. That means if you ensure your body with the best quality of water, you not only start feeling better as your body performs in the best way, but also you save money on what you would spend on medications and doctor visits.
Risks of drinking distilled water
You may ask, whether there are any disadvantages to drinking distilled water. Of course, drinking distilled water has disadvantages as well, but they are not as bad as they may seem at first glance. Let’s have a look at some of them.
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- It might be strange to drink water with a different taste, and as some people say, at first, it is even hard to force yourself to have a daily norm of water. The fact that distilled water looks tasteless means that, unlike tap water, it no longer contains minerals such as calcium, sodium, and magnesium. In other words, distilled water is not only water free of bacteria, parasites, chemicals, and metals; it is also free of minerals and electrolytes and is absolutely fresh (contains oxygen and hydrogen only).
- Some say that distilled water lacks minerals that the body needs and those who consume such water for a long time may face a problem of weakness and tiredness. Especially for those who have intense sports activities, it is important to get enough electrolytes in order to seek the best performance. As the body loses water and minerals through sweat, it is important to make sure to have them replaced.
How to drink distilled water safely?
In order to drink fresh water without unwanted minerals, bacteria, and minerals as well as risks of getting diseases, it is significant to make sure that distilled water isn’t the only fluid consumed during the day. In other words, while drinking distilled water causes a lack of certain minerals and other essential substances for the body, it should be had in mind that other essential beverages and food may also be consumed during the day.
In other words, the fact that the body does not get the substances it needs with water does not cause any harm because a person who is fully nutritious receives all the necessary substances from other consumed products. It means that the body does not suffer from any damage due to a lack of minerals or electrolytes and avoids the various risks tap water can cause.
It is also worth paying attention to diets that include distilled water. It is a myth that the consumption of distilled water is harmful when taking a diet. Actually, as part of a balanced diet, distilled water is beneficial.
The main problem is that diets usually are aimed at having a loss of a large amount of weight during a short period of time. If the diet lasts for a long period of time, it does not provide the body with sufficient nutrients and provokes a lack of minerals and electrolytes, which causes shock to the body and questionable results in the end.
A person who drinks a lot of distilled water and does not have proper nutrition risks misbalance the amount of sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other nutrients in the body. In this case, while the short-term result may be encouraging, it is certainly not beneficial to health. That’s why you have to consult with professionals before undertaking any kind of fast.
Lastly, make sure your distilled water still hasn’t expired. Shelf life of homemade distilled water is 4-7 days.
Final words
All in all, after comparing the benefits and disadvantages, it is clear that distilled water has superiority over tap water, and there are no doubts about its benefits. In that case, we recommend picking one of the best water distillers to make your life healthier.
However, distilled water may not only be advised for consumption for those who exercise intensively, have undertaken an extremely fast and cannot ensure proper nutrition.
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Sources of information:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319406161_Dispelling_myths_about_drinking_distilled_water