Not all kinds of water are created equal. While distilled water is called the “purest” form of water, it might not be the best for you. Filtered water and distilled water are both two forms of purified water but distilled water lacks many of the components that make water so beneficial for your body. Distilled water is drinkable, but the lack of minerals and other nutrients may pose a risk to your health.
Is distilled water the same as filtered water? No and here's why
When it comes to drinking water, both distilled water and filtered water are processed and cleansed from bacteria, toxins, sediments, and other undesirable components. Distilled water however is the most sterile and pure form of water. Distilled water is made through a process that involves boiling water, and collecting the precipitation made by the steam. This makes distilled water free of almost every contaminate you can think of. However, it’s not as healthy as it sounds. The water we drink has minerals, vitamins, electrolytes and other components that keep our body healthy, happy, and hydrated. Distilled water is pure h2o, lacking any beneficial nutrients that filtered water has. Typically reserved for appliances, distilled water lacks minerals that could create hard water buildup. This makes it the first choice when it comes to humidifiers, CPAP machines, and even water filled toys. Distilled water may also be helpful for your hair's health, as it has no ‘hardness’ in the water at all.
Which one is best for drinking?
When it comes to drinking water, filtered water is both free from contaminants, and full of minerals, electrolytes, and nutrients that our bodies need to stay hydrated. Distilled water lacks these basic necessities, such as magnesium, calcium, iron, fluoride, and calcium. Now I know what you might be thinking - fluoride in small amounts is healthy for our bodies, and we need it to function however when the body intakes too much fluoride, it can cause fluorosis - a decay and breakdown of your teeth that may cause holes, cracks, and other damages and new research shows too much fluoride can be detrimental to your brain health. However, a lack of fluoride in our diets can actually lead to tooth decay and bone weakness.
Much like every other aspect of our nutrition, everything has a balance in our bodies. Filtered water contains electrolytes, nutrients, and other components of water that help hydrate and nourish our bodies, but when you drink distilled water, the minerals and salts in your body will actually rush to that distilled water leaving the cells and other components that need these minerals and salts to function! Your body tries to restore the balance, and it can make you sick over time. If you do drink distilled water, it’s incredibly important to supplement your diet to make up for the lack of minerals and electrolytes present in filtered water. Filtered water is the better choice when it comes to drinking. Distilled water has a dull taste, and doesn't hydrate as well as filtered water.
Filtered water is treated water that is clear of bacteria, contaminates, and other toxins. Distilled water is purer in the sense that it lacks everything filtered water has. It may be “pure” but it’s devoid of many of the benefits we get from water, making it a poor choice for drinking, unless you have some sort of underlying health condition or sensitivity.
What’s wrong with drinking distilled water?
Distilled water can draw important nutrients and minerals away from our cells, easily leading to nutrient deficiencies and imbalances. Some cancer patients, or people with HIV/AIDS may benefit from drinking distilled water, as they may be sensitive to any sort of contaminate or bacteria that could be present in drinking water. Immunocompromised people are the only people advised to drink distilled water over filtered water.
Over time, a lack of minerals in our bodies can lead to sickness and negative side effects. Nausea, diarrhea, chest tightness, and other physical decline can be caused by drinking distilled water without supplementing your diet. Other types of water contain electrolytes, and minerals our bodies need for optimal function and hydration. Distilled water over time can lead to health problems and may leave you feeling fatigued and further dehydrated.
Is distilled water the same as filtered water when it comes to taste?
When it comes to water, taste matters more than you’d think. Different filtered waters have different amounts and types of nutrients and electrolytes, lending a slightly different flavor to your palette. Distilled water however, has a flat taste. It’s bland, and unpleasant. There are no salts, or minerals, or anything to give it taste. The difference is stark. Distilled water is used in hospitals to prepare food for patients, or to clean instruments as it is water completely free of bacterias. Filtered water however, has a wide range of necessary minerals and nutrients and is free of contamination and toxic chemicals, with a clean dynamic taste.
THE PROCESSES -
Filtered water is cleaner, and processed as needed. In-home water filters can ensure that you have fresh filtered water every time. Water filters work by forcing water through screens made of minerals such as charcoal, gravel, sand, and other natural materials. As the water passes through these screens contaminants are trapped and the clean pure water passes through.
Distilled water however is processed in a much different way. Distilled water is purified by boiling water and collecting the steam. This steam then cools back into distilled water, free of anything other than pure H2O. When the water is boiled, the steam is collected separately, leaving the contaminants and toxins behind in the pot below. The body is guaranteed to not intake bacteria or infection from clean distilled water.
Is distilled water the same as filtered water when it comes to hydration?
Filtered water is superior to distilled water when it comes to our water intake. Distilled water lacks nutrients and organic materials necessary to our systems. Filtered water however has electrolytes and nutrients that hydrate and benefit our bodies. Distilled water is better kept in a humidifier than in a glass.
