Is Distilled Water for Health Worth the Time and Cost or Only a Fad?
6 minute read
Upon discovering that water can contain possible contaminants, the production of distilled water took off. Today, there are more brands of bottled and distilled water than ever before, despite the fact that distilled water tastes a bit different and is flatter than regular water.
However, some safe water can still contain harmful pollutants. Distilled water may be the latest craze, but are the added cost and time associated with making it actually worth the purported benefits?
Why Choose Distillation?
Distillation may be a good idea if you only have access to contaminated water. Agriculture and industries use more than 75,000 chemical compounds a year and many of these are unregulated.
While the EPA has evaluated the situation and set standards, many chemicals slip through the cracks. In fact, some water has even been found to have low levels of radioactivity, generally due to poor government oversight and antiquated infrastructure.
That said, most of what you will read on the internet is making the overall water situation in America seem far worse than it actually is, as the site may be trying to sell you a water distiller.
Municipal water facilities treat all water before it reaches the tap in your house, so in most areas of the U.S., your tap water is entirely safe to drink. However, having your own water-filtering system at home is the next logical step to protecting your health.
Beyond filtering, distillation is the best way to remove harmful pollutants. Boiling water until steam appears kills bacteria and pathogens. As the temperature of the water rises and it evaporates, it leaves behind pollutants, so the steam you can collect is the cleanest water you’re going to get.
Distillation is one of the most effective ways to remove any undesirable contents from your drinking water. Bacteria, viruses, chemicals, pesticides, and metals are all left behind as the water boils. The distillation process may seem like a chore, but you can buy already distilled water or purchase your own high-quality distillation unit.
Problems With Distilled Water
Some may have concerns that distilled water is acidic, which can disrupt the alkaline nature of our bodies. Distilled water is acidic because the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves, creating carbonic acid.
Distilled water that sits for a long period of time may not be the best to drink, but in general so long as you have a healthy and well-functioning digestive system, distilled water will not impact the pH balance in your body.
There are also concerns that distillation removes beneficial minerals from the water along with the harmful ones. The distillation process removes helpful minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can affect the taste, although water is not the best source for these minerals.
The Benefits of Distilled Water
Whether you make your own or buy distilled water from the store, there are a few possible benefits you may notice if you switch. Although, overall, distilled water is not something most Americans need to worry about.
As pure as you can get: Distilled water is free of chlorine as well as other chemicals. The high heat that the water is boiled at removes all harmful toxins, leaving you with completely sterilized water.
It is so pure that laboratories and medical clinics will only use this to ensure no impurities contaminate their products or research. While this does not translate into a real health benefit for people, it can provide peace of mind.
Better digestion: The distillation process removes all inorganic matter from the water that can potentially interfere with your digestion. Certain impurities can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, which can impact your health.
| Related: Urine Color Meanings: Dehydration, Disease, and More |
Drinking distilled water ensures that your body can efficiently absorb the nutrients it needs to nourish your organs and promote optimal function.
Healthier look: Bathing in water that is not distilled can lead to a buildup of minerals and other compounds that can clog skin pores and dry out or damage your scalp. By using distilled water, you can prevent dull and lifeless hair as well as skin breakouts as you are no longer exposed to the impurities.
Of course, you may find it hard to have so much distilled water on hand at once, so using it only on your hair may be more feasible.
So long water-borne diseases: Serious bacterial and fungal diseases are carried through water, but your exposure to these can be reduced by drinking distilled water. The risk of contracting water-borne diseases, like cholera, decreases significantly for those who drink, cook, or bathe in distilled water.
Many people in the developed world do not think of waterborne diseases as a potential danger which is almost entirely true. Distillation is the best way to protect yourself from these bacterial infections, though, even if they are not generally required to be on your health radar.
The Bottom Line
Our bodies are made of water and we cannot live without it. Sadly, some of the treatment processes we put water through to prepare it may miss some toxins, though this is rare.
Distilled water removes impurities and dangerous chemicals so that you get the purest and cleanest water around. If you live in an area, such as Flint, Michigan, where the municipal water is dangerous, distilled water may be a good idea to try. Otherwise, you are almost always better off with tap water.
