Can You Drink Distilled Water? Is It Safe?

# Can You Drink Distilled Water? Is It Safe?

Yes, distilled water is safe to drink. It contains no harmful contaminants, bacteria, or heavy metals because the distillation process removes them. However, it also removes beneficial minerals — like calcium, magnesium, and potassium — that most people get partly from drinking water. For short-term or situational use, distilled water is fine. For long-term exclusive consumption, health authorities have some caveats.

What Is Distilled Water?#

Distilled water is produced through a process called distillation: water is heated to steam, the steam rises and separates from dissolved solids and most microorganisms, then it condenses back into liquid in a clean container. The result is water with extremely low total dissolved solids (TDS), typically under 10 parts per million (ppm), compared to typical tap water at 100–500 ppm.

What distillation removes:

• Bacteria and viruses
• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury)
• Fluoride and chlorine
• Nitrates and pesticide residues
• Dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium)

The purification is extremely thorough — more complete than standard carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems for most contaminants.

Is Distilled Water Safe to Drink?#

For the vast majority of people in most situations: yes, distilled water is safe to drink. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes it poses "no immediate health risk" for short-term consumption.

The concern about distilled water centers on long-term exclusive use. A WHO review of demineralized water found that drinking only low-mineral water over extended periods may:

• Slightly increase the amount of calcium and magnesium excreted in urine
• Contribute to dietary mineral deficits if diet is otherwise low in calcium and magnesium
• Have different taste characteristics that some people find flat or slightly acidic

That said, the WHO explicitly states these risks are relevant primarily in contexts where people's only source of calcium and magnesium is their drinking water — which is uncommon in developed countries where most minerals come from food.

Distilled vs. Purified vs. Spring Water#

These terms are often confused:

Purified water (reverse osmosis) and distilled water are similar in purity but use different processes. Spring and mineral water retain naturally occurring minerals that distillation removes.

For a detailed comparison, see our guide to spring water vs. purified water.

When Is Distilled Water a Good Choice?#

Distilled water is the right choice in specific scenarios:

Medical equipment: CPAP machines, humidifiers, and nebulizers require distilled water to prevent mineral buildup (scale) that can damage equipment and harbor bacteria.

Steam irons and appliances: Using distilled water in steam irons prevents the white mineral residue that tap water deposits.

Kidney stone history: Some people with certain types of kidney stones are advised to drink lower-mineral water; consult a physician before making this change.

Travel in areas with contaminated water: Distilled water is safe to drink in places where tap water contains heavy metals, bacteria, or other contaminants.

Laboratory and medical use: Many lab processes require water free of dissolved minerals that could interfere with results.

Potential Downsides of Drinking Only Distilled Water#

If distilled water were your only beverage for months or years:

1. You'd lose a minor source of dietary minerals. Tap water contributes roughly 5–20% of daily calcium and magnesium intake for people who drink 2 liters per day. The remainder comes from food. If your diet is calcium-rich, this loss is easily offset.

1. The flat taste may reduce hydration. Some people find distilled water unpalatable and consequently drink less. Hydration quantity matters more than water source for most people.

1. Slightly acidic pH. Distilled water has a pH of about 7.0 but quickly absorbs CO₂ from the air, lowering it to around 5.5–6.5. This is not harmful for consumption but can mildly increase dental enamel erosion over years of exclusive use — the same concern applies to sparkling water.

What Do Health Authorities Say?#

• WHO: Recommends that drinking water contain minimum levels of certain minerals (calcium > 20 mg/L, magnesium > 10 mg/L). Distilled water falls below these thresholds. This is a guideline, not a prohibition on distilled water.
• CDC: Lists distillation as an effective home water treatment for bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and many chemicals.
• EPA: Distilled water easily meets Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Does distilled water leach minerals from your body?

This is a popular claim online, but there is no robust clinical evidence that drinking distilled water significantly leaches minerals from bones or tissues in people eating a normal diet. The mineral losses in urine noted in WHO studies were modest.

Is distilled water better than tap water?

"Better" depends on what you're optimizing for. Distilled water is purer in terms of dissolved solids and contaminants. Tap water provides minerals and (in the US) often contains fluoride for dental health. Neither is universally superior.

Can babies drink distilled water?

Infant formula can be mixed with distilled water if your local tap water has contaminants. The FDA and CDC advise using distilled or sterile water for infants under 2 months or those with compromised immune systems.

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Sources#

1. World Health Organization. (2005). Nutrients in Drinking Water. WHO Press, Geneva. Chapter 3: Health risks from drinking demineralised water.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Making Water Safe in an Emergency — Distillation. CDC.gov.
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Water Health Series: Bottled Water Basics. EPA.gov.