Minerals Lacking in Distilled Water

Lacking in Distilled Water

Water is vital for human life, but it is not the only nutrient. Most drinking water contains several minerals and ions, including calcium and magnesium, which are important for the bones and teeth. Other essential minerals, such as sulfate and sodium, also are present in the average person’s diet from food and other beverages. Distilled water lacks these and other minerals, which can cause problems if people drink it exclusively.

The distillation process removes both waterborne disease-causing bacteria and inorganic chemical contaminants. These include arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, nitrate, sodium, and sulfate. While these chemicals are not harmful, they may be unpleasant for some people to drink in high amounts. The distillation process also removes most, but not all, of the natural vitamins and minerals in drinking water. This means that distilled water does not contain the nutrients necessary for health and good taste.

While some people may prefer distilled water because it tastes pure and is free of bacteria, a lack of mineral content also makes it unsuitable for many purposes. For example, distilled water does not make a good substitute for tap water in most recipes, and it does not work well as ice in drinks like coffee and tea. It can be used to clean a dishwasher or steam iron, however, and it does not create mineral build-up in appliances like humidifiers. It is also commonly used as aquarium water to avoid introducing contaminants and microorganisms, and ocean vessels routinely use distilled sea water.

Minerals Lacking in Distilled Water

Many medical establishments, such as hospitals and doctors’ offices, use distilled water for sterilizing instruments and for hand-washing patients before surgery. The sterile, zero-mineral content of the water ensures that contaminated tools won’t be absorbed by the patient during the operation and will not leave residue on skin afterward. Distilled water is also used to wash and scrub dishes in restaurants and other businesses, as it is more hygienic than regular tap water.

Some people drink distilled water as a substitute for tap water because they believe that it provides better health. Others drink how to remineralize distilled water because it is less expensive than bottled water and is easier to find in some areas. Regardless of whether the consumption of distilled water is for health reasons or convenience, most experts agree that drinking distilled water on a daily basis does not offer any significant health benefits.

Most nutritional and health experts agree that the body absorbs organic minerals from dietary sources, not from inorganic mineral deposits in tap water. Most of the organic minerals required for optimal health are found in a person’s diet, which can be obtained from a variety of foods. However, some individuals who choose to consume distilled water claim that it helps with their condition, such as osteoporosis, hypertension or rheumatoid arthritis. In these cases, a doctor’s advice should be sought before switching to this type of water.