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What is Distilled Water?

Michael Pollick
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 363,369
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Natural water usually contains a number of microscopic contaminants, along with dissolved minerals, such as calcium and iron. One way to remove these elements from water is to boil it until it changes to steam, a process known as distillation. When this steam is allowed to cool down and condense into liquid form again, the result is a purified form called distilled water. This water should ideally be nothing but hydrogen and oxygen molecules, with a pH level of 7 and no additional gases, minerals, or contaminants.

The distilling process relies on the principle that most solid materials found in water are heavier than the water molecules themselves. When water is heated in a distiller, any dissolved solids, such as salt, bacteria, calcium, or iron, remain solid while the pure water converts to a much lighter steam and is drawn out for condensation. Distilled water has a noticeably bland taste because all of the minerals that give water its flavor have been removed.

Distilled water is safe to drink, but it is used more often for research purposes where water purity is essential or industrial uses where mineral deposits can cause damage over time. It may also be used in steam irons to prevent calcium build-up, but this requirement has generally been relaxed in recent years. Certain baby formulas may use this type of water as a mixing liquid as well. Pediatric bottled water formulated with additional electrolytes may use it as a base.

There is some controversy over the use of distilled water as a healthier alternative to tap, spring or purified water. One camp suggests that it is beneficial since it contains no impurities or minerals and helps flush away excess minerals and toxins from the body. Another camp believes that distilled water leaches essential minerals from the body and could leave teeth vulnerable to damage. This water does not contain sodium fluoride, unlike many municipal water systems.

There is some evidence that distilled water does absorb carbon dioxide when exposed to air, and this could conceivably lower the pH to a more acidic level. This increased acidity can in turn create more health problems. Proponents of the water suggest that humans receive far more minerals and nutrients from food than water, so the effects of distilled water on the body should be minimal at best. The flavor can be improved with natural fruit juices or essences, if necessary.

Distilled water can be purchased in a number of grocery and retail stores, usually in 1 gallon (3.78 liter) containers. It is important to check the label when shopping for bottled water of any kind, since different types of water have a distinctive taste. Some bottled waters use distilled or deionized water as a base, with different minerals added for taste.

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DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to DelightedCooking, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Discussion Comments
By anon950909 — On May 13, 2014

I'm just so thankful to God-Jesus almighty for revealing to me that distilled water is the water he intended for our bodies he created to have. I've only been on it for 13 days and my good health is coming back to me finally. All these years I was making a stupid mistake by drinking tap water and then later in the years I thought it would be smart to start drinking filtered water, then bottled water. Boy was I wrong! Now that I have the true knowledge and wisdom from the Holy Bible, I know distilled water is the best for the body. Amen.

Now one suggestion I will make is if you have amalgam tooth fillings, which are 50 percent toxic mercury (mercury is the second most toxic metal on earth), then don't drink distilled water! Why? Because the distilled water will pull more toxic mercury from the tooth fillings and put it through your body. That causes a major detox reaction in the body. I learned the hard way. I had six toxic mercury tooth fillings that I got when I was a little boy in the 70's and 80's. I thank God-Jesus for giving me wisdom about the mercury tooth fillings. I had them taken out by a holistic dentist -- not a normal dentist -- a holistic dentist, who knew mercury tooth fillings are killers for the body.

So now my health is really getting better now that I have the mercury tooth fillings out of my body and now I’m drinking very healthy distilled water that I buy per gallon for $1 at the grocery store. I am now drinking 1 gallon a day and my body is saying thank you, thank you, thank you.

Before, I was only able to drink no more than one quart of “spring water” I was buying at the grocery store. And my conclusion why is because the spring water was loading my body with non organic minerals that the body is not intended to have. We get our organic minerals from food as God-Jesus intended. So I quit drinking the spring water and started drinking distilled water and my good health feeling came back to me. Amen.

Another good advice tip I give to anyone is stay away from antibiotics! I tried them for the first time back in 2008 for nasal congestion problems. Then slowly, that is when my health started getting worse and worse. I had chronic fatigue, couldn't digest food correctly, constipation, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, couldn't think straight and a few other problems. Stay from antibiotics and only take probiotics. They are good bacteria for the digestive system. They overpower the bad bacteria. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria and then allow the bad bacteria to start destroying the body. The most powerful probiotics I get are from my own homemade sauerkraut. Learn how to make it. Don't buy store sauerkraut; it's pasteurized, meaning they heat it up and kill the good bacteria. Learn to make your own.

Oh yeah, stay away from all the toxic drugs that the pharmaceutically controlled drug doctors want to put you on and turn you into a zombie money machine.

God-Jesus bless you. -- Country boy in Ohio.

By anon950058 — On May 08, 2014

Distilled water is the best. It is pure h20. I cook and drink with it and have never felt better. it even helped my dad's arthritis because it removed the many years of fluoride deposits in his joints. Don't drink anything other than reverse osmosis, natural spring water or distilled water. Fluoride and chlorine are not beneficial to you. They are neurotoxins. The government lies to you to save money.

By anon330841 — On Apr 19, 2013

CBS did a story on 60 Minutes several years ago on water. Andy Rooney took eight various bottles of store-bought water to an analyst with a Ph. D in chemistry. His career was testing water of all kinds. The variety included spring, distilled, artesian, you name it.

Guess what? The expert said they were all "water," but what he called "empty water." He went on to say that all bottles lacked minerals, etc., that are healthy. Mr. Rooney asked him, "What do you drink?" His reply was, "Normal tap water. It's the best!"

By anon323298 — On Mar 04, 2013

Great posts, thank you all. I started drinking mainly distilled water three months ago. In the beginning, I felt great and thought some detox happened.

But here is the issue I have. If I drink a bottle of (mineral/spring) water, in an hour I had to go and pee. Now with the distilled water, after a 300ml glass, seems like I do not have much to pee.

I use to drink a glass before bed time, and in the morning, I had to go. Any thoughts?

By anon306083 — On Nov 28, 2012

Distilled water is stripped of most chemicals, as well as good minerals that sustain our body. Distilled water detoxifies our body, however, vitamins and minerals should be replaced. Osmosis and filters may be safer, especially for those who have compromised immune systems. It is best to do research about this subject, since your life could depend on it. -- dedeT.

By anon303586 — On Nov 15, 2012

I want to know what distilled water does when it is added to a fruit and what it does when added to a universal indicator.

By anon278711 — On Jul 09, 2012

I've found the thoughts on the lack of safety for distilled water to border on pseudoscience. It's not all that different in composition from rain water, which is usually safe to drink provided there's no air pollution. Water will absorb whatever is floating around. Unless you live in a sterile environment, which includes sterile glasses and not touching your mouth to the glass, you're going to have some gunk in the water. It's not really a big deal.

I'm not a fan of the taste of distilled water, but there were times when it was pretty useful when I was young. I once lived in a rural area. If the power went out, it was typically down for a few days and so we couldn't get water out of our well (we had an electric pump). We'd drive to the city a half hour away and pick up a few gallon bottles of distilled water. The spring water was always sold out, and it's a little weird to me to buy what is basically bottled tap water anyway. Now there are more RO machines, so I just use those when the power goes down or if the city is flushing the pipes.

Oh, as for fluoride and lithium - fluoride isn't naturally occurring in the amounts that are in water and honestly isn't all that useful, but lithium is a natural salt that reduces suicide rates (and possibly dementia) in teeny tiny amounts. If you live in an area that has lithium in the water, you can always have your doctor order a lithium level to see if there's anything. Lithium gets a bad rap, but it's actually of the safer substances out there, provided you follow your doctor's instructions.

By shalics — On Jun 11, 2012

Try using an alkaline water. A lot of satisfied alkaline users claim the health benefits that it brings.

By anon266780 — On May 07, 2012

At least it's better than tap water.

By anon263905 — On Apr 26, 2012

Distilled water will not leach organic material, only inorganic. The 'half' science has been misleading us. Distilled water is the fountain of youth. Andrew Norton Weber - check him out online.

By anon260028 — On Apr 09, 2012

what about filling inverter battery with purified drinking water insted of the water meant for the batteries.

will it charge.

thanks

Bashir.

By anon259789 — On Apr 08, 2012

I would like to know if is there any expiration date for distilled water? --egub

By anon257196 — On Mar 25, 2012

I need to use distilled water for my steam cleaner, but I do not want to keep purchasing it. Can I use the water collected from my dehumidifier; is it essentially distilled? Anyone know?

By anon238654 — On Jan 04, 2012

I found an interesting article online. According to Dr. Banik, who studied the effect of pure water on the Hunza culture, distilled water is great for the body while eating a whole food plant based diet. My guess is the theory that pure H2O is harmful might have been studies with people who are eating "whatever." When taking in vitamins and minerals from plants, my guess is that you wouldn't be in danger of nutrient deficiency.

Not being a doctor, I would go with researchers who studied the effects with human subjects for decades like Dr. Max Gerson and Dr. T. Colin Campbell.

But what do I know? I'm just a reader of books and articles. I haven't picked up a test tube since high school.

By anon180205 — On May 25, 2011

your kidneys are regulated by diffusion and osmosis (diffusion refers to the movement of minerals etc across a selectively permeable barrier due to concentration, osmosis is the same but refers to the movement of water only) if you drink distilled water you may be removing minerals from your body.

On the other hand, drinking alkaline water you may dehydrate yourself and therefore upsetting your osmoregulation. and to put the record straight for people who do not study chemistry, alkaline refers to the waters ability to buffer acidification without changing its pH it is not synonymous with basic which refers to a substance with a pH above 7. it merely means that alkaline water has more carbonate, bicarbonate and metal carbonate molecules in it.

Also your body has its own buffer system using the same molecules which you get from food and the air you breathe. to be honest, there is no real need to drink distilled water or alkaline water unless advised to do so by a professional e.g. a doctor or a nutritionist. and if you're worried about it, why not drink rain water, which hasn't got additive unless you live in an area with high air pollution?

By anon167363 — On Apr 12, 2011

I need help. We moved into a new house a month ago. The previous owners left a gallon of distilled water in the basement. This battery is used for the sump pump battery back up.

The problem I have is the bottle of water was not sealed. It had been open before. How long ago, I don't know. Could be months or a year or more.

The other day my three year old daughter carried the bottle up to my wife who put it in the refrigerator. Now it has leaked all over our food. Should I throw this food away?

By anon144517 — On Jan 20, 2011

Bloom USA, look up the effects of long term fluoride overdose. Then go buy a bunch of bottles of distilled water. My wife has hypothyroidism and dental fluorosis caused by the excessive intake of fluoride. We had no idea. We used carbon filters, and thought we were drinking pure water. The carbon took out many other impurities, thereby concentrating the fluoride! Only distilled, reverse osmosis, and water filtered through activated alumina type filters are fluoride free. Fluoride is in coke, powerade, gatorade, all store-bought drinks and many foods, not to mention tap water. Fluoride grows naturally on black tea leaves.

P.S.: If you don't want to leave bottles and garbage all over the countryside like everyone else does, then don't. If you boil water and send it through a metal tube to a pot with ice under it, then it will condense. This is distilled water. My father drank it for twenty years in the Navy, (still does) and he is now a fairly healthy 88. I wish we had listened to him sooner.

By anon140906 — On Jan 09, 2011

Common questions:

Do you get most of your minerals from water?

No this is complete bull. Eat healthy and you won't have to worry about it.

Does distilling water remove fluoride?

Yes and this is very important as fluoride has been linked to many diseases. Most notably, calcification of bones and the pineal gland.

How hard is it to do?

Not hard if you have the money to buy a distiller.

If you do use one, make sure you keep it clean and do PH tests every now and then to make sure the PH isn't too out of balance.

By anon138216 — On Dec 30, 2010

My parents and I have been drinking distilled water for seven to ten years. At the time that we bought our distiller everyone thought distilled water was the best water available.

But after all these years my father, and I have developed ballooned arteries (aneurysms) and I believe it is because of the lack of minerals in the water.

We took some minerals, but not ionic minerals.

If they are not ionic minerals your body will not absorb them. I have now located a spring and am hauling spring water home.

If I had cancer I would definitely drink super-

alkaline water from a kangen machine.

By anon115729 — On Oct 04, 2010

Distilled water is pure hydrogen and oxygen without impurities. It will not conduct electricity so water alarm will not work. It is clean to use even for medical purposes. For example, dextrose has distilled water as its base. Yes, you can use it to clean wounds as long as it is not left standing open for a long time, since distilled water readily absorbs airborne particles what ever they are.

The difference between mineral water and distilled water is the process used to "clean" the water. Usually mineral water is filtered in various ways which may also include reverse osmosis, whereas distilled is done by evaporating the water and re-condensing where the dissolved particles are left behind. This can be done by boiling and other means like the one happening naturally in the bodies of water of the world where they evaporate without necessarily passing the boiling point.

The precipitation/condensed water is distilled and pure until particles are again dissolved or absorbed which may happen to rain water as it falls to the ground passing our polluted atmosphere where many chemical particles are suspended.

And yes, you can make your own distilled water. Keeping it pure is another thing. Mineral depletion from drinking distilled water will only happen if and only if you go through your life without ingesting any other thing but distilled water, but in real life we drink so many other things beside water and we eat various foods, so in my humble opinion, keep your drinking water pure and enjoy your life. Thanks.

By anon113598 — On Sep 25, 2010

I have been drinking distilled water for eight years. It's good water and and now I work as an engineer at a desalination plant.

By anon111914 — On Sep 18, 2010

all you people need to buy a PH meter. distilled water does not have a neutral PH of 7 it is slight acidic and therefore not every good for you body. i am in nursing and that is one of the things you learn! your better off filtering your water. enough said.

By anon107492 — On Aug 30, 2010

I have not read anything about the fluoride in water and thyroid problems. I was told to drink distilled water, due to thyroid problems. Is this true?

By anon106344 — On Aug 25, 2010

God created distilled water (rain water before Chemtrails BC). Who is anyone to correct God? Distilled water is perfect water. Only someone who drinks tap water would disagree with that statement. I've been drinking distilled water for nearly 30 years, and I never get sick, am super healthy, and still have an intact brain, unlike most everyone else who used their body as a toxic waste dump when ingesting processed packaged foods and drinking fluoride/lithium tap water or any other water "purified" by filtration. Bottom Line: Believe God! (Jesus Christ of Nazareth).

By anon102224 — On Aug 06, 2010

To anon48687: "fluoride makes you dumb as rocks."

Seems that all the people I've met with genius level IQ scores (and much more relevant accolades) have a mouth full of fluoride-fortified teeth, and it's the idiots/crazies who happen to be missing theirs. Your own mileage may vary.

By anon100178 — On Jul 28, 2010

Can rain water be considered/taken as distilled water? I am talking about distilled water which we use to refill our battery inverters.

By anon81419 — On May 01, 2010

Fabia in message #61, my distiller is called the "Pure Water Mini Classic II from Cool Shiny Stuff. You can check it out for yourself. I've had it for a couple of months now and it is truy one gem of a distiller.

They only sell the one distiller there. As well, I purchased one of their juice machines - the Greenstar Elite - and it is the best juicer I've ever used. It can even juice wheatgrass.

I even tried to juice a bananna peeling just for the fun of it to see what would happen. The machine actually got juice from it. The left over pulp from anything it juices is nearly bone dry. That is unlike the other juicer I used a couple of years ago.

Anyway, I'm rambling on after you only asked about the distiller.

By anon80802 — On Apr 28, 2010

First of all the negativity surrounding distilled water is put out there by the big companies that do not want you drinking homemade distilled water. Corporations are out to make money and they don't care about you. They want you to buy bottled water so they can stay in business.

Isn't it absurd that the very thing that sustains us as human beings is being 'sold' in markets? Have we become so lazy that we can't even take control of our water? Stop being lazy and take charge of your own life.

Distilled water is the best water on the planet. Been drinking it for 20 years and have never felt better and more pure in mind and body.

On another note: If you have acid reflux or heartburn, go get a bottle of raw organic apple cider vinegar and have one spoon in distilled water. You will be cured of all acid problems.

By anon74876 — On Apr 04, 2010

bloomusa - you have your wires crossed. I think you have reverse osmosis water confused with distilled water.

Distilled water does not take eight gallons of water to make one gallon. Distilled water is pure, and very good for the body. Make sure you buy a good distiller that is all stainless steel, and not the cheap plastic ones that some places sell.

Do yourself a favor and read a book called "Water Can Undermine Your Health" by Dr. Norman W. Walker (Author).

By fabie — On Mar 29, 2010

Ralphs88, could you tell us the names of the brands you've used? Thanks!

By anon73533 — On Mar 27, 2010

I vaporized water and distilled water one and the same? Also, can anyone tell me if there is a bottler who markets water that is filtered from reverse osmosis? Thanks.

By anon71407 — On Mar 18, 2010

I almost died, once in my life, from recurring kidney stones. I was spending many weekends, writhing on a cot in an emergency room, trying to pass kidney stones.

Finally I had to have surgery in 1977, in which a doctor cut my kidney in half to get a stone out of it. I reasoned that the material from which the stone was made, had to come from somewhere. We had precipitated crystals in college chemistry, by starting a metal molecule in solution, then "doping" it every day for a long time, with a rich solution containing the "seed" salt.

I reasoned that if the material making my kidney stones came from the water I was drinking, I needed to switch to distilled water which contains nothing but water. I did that, have been drinking distilled water ever since, and so far, I have not passed another stone in all those years.

By Ralphs88 — On Mar 08, 2010

As I was reading the mixed reviews about distillers, I became compelled to share my own first-hand experience with them.

About two years ago, I nearly died from a rare disease. I was put on a very heavy and toxic medication for the rest of my life. The medication was so toxic that within 24 hours the odor of my urine became very pungent and overpowering smelling and has never been normal since.

I realized that this was a sure-fire indicator that my liver and kidneys were working overtime trying to keep up with the toxicity of my medication and were obviously at their limits.

During the last few months I finally tried drinking a lot more tap water in my attempt to give my body more water to dilute and rid itself of the toxins. That only made the odor stronger. This puzzled me so I then started to research this.

I knew that our drinking water had “things” added to it to supposedly make it safe for drinking, however, little did I realize how toxic these chemical additives were.

After much research, my conclusions led me to the purchase of a cheap and used distiller. After purchasing and trying it, I was very disappointed in its performance. The water had a very strong chemical odor to it and it also had a predominant chemical taste to it as well.

Since the unit had a plastic exterior, I assumed that certain interior components of it must have been made of plastic as well. As the water got hot, it must have made contact with these components and caused a toxic chemical reaction with the distilled water.

I had the finished water drip into a metal pot instead of using the plastic jug that was included so that the jug would not be part of this initial trial. I ended up placing the distiller back in its box and never tried to use it again. I was not going to replace one poisonous toxin with a potentially more dangerous one.

Still having faith in this common sense technology, I then decided to spare no expense and purchase a distiller of far superior construction which had absolutely no plastic in it whatsoever. Even the collector jar was made of glass. I chose this model because I was impressed with its quality of construction.

Upon its arrival, I set up the distiller and produced distilled water with it. I was very impressed with the water. It had absolutely no taste or scent to it at all and that was only the start.

Literally, within 24 hours and for the first time in over two years, the functions of my liver and kidneys seemed to totally go back to normal and my urine was no longer pungent and strong. It became subtle and unnoticeable just like it was before I ever started taking the strong medication.

I drew the conclusion that my body’s organs no longer had to filter out the chlorine, fluoride and other poisons from the water that I drank. As a result, they were finally able to successfully filter out the toxins from the medication without being overtaxed in the process.

I can’t begin to imagine the other, less obvious, benefits I’m gaining from such pure water. In any event, I really feel like my investment is going to add years of good health to my life.

Now regarding stories of people getting abdominal pains or thinking they’re dying from drinking distilled water, there are obviously other factors at play that are causing physical issues for them.

I nearly got poisoned from my first distiller because of its cheap plastic parts chemically combining with the steam or distilled water, thus, producing poisonous water.

Secondly my neighbor is a clinical laboratory scientist. She told me that due to the nature of the minerals that are in unfiltered tap water, our bodies are never able to absorb and properly use them anyway. She said that our bodies get most of the minerals that are required through the fruits and vegetables we eat – not through the water we drink.

Finally, the water aboard naval vessels goes through both the distillation process and the reverse osmosis process. If thousands of sea-going marines are drinking distilled water, do the math please!

My distiller has rescued me from potential organ damage and is quite likely no prolonging my good health and life. Let’s not be so “uneducated”, to be polite, and face the really obvious…

Drinking pure distilled water, free from poisonous toxins is good for you. Drinking poison toxins is bad for you.

By anon68907 — On Mar 05, 2010

I am a bit confused after reading all these entries. I have just been given a distiller. I will need to read the instructions, of course, and it seems make it alkaline (mms or lemon etc.) and read about the expiry date for bacteria etc!

The whole process seems quite confusing but I need more information before I decide. --nz

By anon67606 — On Feb 25, 2010

I have been using reverse osmosis water, which is close to distilled water and it is wonderful. I had problem with my joints (thanks to fluoride water) but that is gone now.

I have suffered for few years but God is good and I now know the cause. I try to stay away from fluoride water and this has helped me with my joints and also with my restless foot.

I use lemon water to quickly boost my body's alkaline level (as lemon is translated alkaline in the body). Also use lots of fruits and vegetables.

One thing I was not sure is the long term effect of of drinking soft water? but as I can see in the posts here, some people have used it for many years and they seem to be happy with it. Also the PH of soft water (6.2) is no close to cola drinks (2.6 - 3.3) or coffee which are quite acidic. So when it comes to acidity it does not seem too bad. Hope I could find more research done on it in the future. Thanks.

By letucci — On Jan 30, 2010

I would recommend this book by Dr. Allen Banik, "The Choice Is Clear". It's a quick and informative read regarding the pros and cons of drinking distilled water. Most health food stores have it in stock.

By letucci — On Jan 30, 2010

I am a certified Health Consultant, and I've done the research. About 15 years ago my husband and I were experiencing multiple health issues such as arthritis, acid reflux, etc. We were determined to take charge of our own health -- drug free! After reading the studies of scientist Dr. Norman Walker and other reputable sources on the subject of distilled water, this was the best change we made.

We've been drinking distilled water all these years and have absolutely no joint pain, arthritis, acid reflux, etc. It's true that distilled water has a ph of 6.2 -- so what? If you don't think your mineral intake is up to par, then add a few drops of minerals, fresh lemon, organic apple cider vinegar, etc. Just keep in mind, coffee, tea, soda, etc. have a range of 2 to 5! Talk about dangerous! Relax and enjoy the benefits of distilled water!

By anon61594 — On Jan 21, 2010

This my third week of using distilled drinking water, me and children felt some unusual pain in our abdomens. Does distilled water has something to do with it? I've been using mineral water for almost 25 years now and felt good about it, but when i shifted to distilled, some abnormalities occurred. i hope this is just a matter of adjusting to our body chemistry.

By anon59420 — On Jan 08, 2010

I've been drinking distilled water every day. I use a water distiller that cleans the tap and once it has finished the process of distilling I pour it into one of two gallon jugs I have. These jugs are always on my kitchen counter and sit in the sun, the only changes that occurs with them are the refilling and emptying of the water for drinking purposes. Until recently I thought this was the best water.

My problem started two days ago. At first I felt a slight pain for a couple of minutes when I drank distilled water. I thought I had a cold but it was unfortunately a problem far greater. Soon when I drank distilled water, my whole body had a painful seizure for hours.

I went to the doctor to ask what the problem was and they thought it was a mold or something that had been growing in the water jugs. They tested the jugs and they came back negative of anything of the sort. My doctors kept on searching for answers because the symptoms were recurring until they finally found the reason.

Apparently the water is too pure and my body had begun to develop a defensive reaction each time I drank purified water. Soon my body began rejecting even he tap water I drank and the water in your blood. I am telling you this as a warning. I am expected to die soon because of dehydration. Basically my body is rejecting itself. I hope my experience helps others.

~pkfier

By anon59007 — On Jan 05, 2010

what type of matter is distilled water?

By anon56679 — On Dec 16, 2009

Drinking distilled water is actually causing relatively more cellular damage than non distilled water.

When you consume distilled water your cells want to create equilibrium. Your cells have a much lower concentration of [H2O] than the distilled water. The water will then diffuse into your cell trying to make equal concentrations of [h2O] in both your cells and the water just consumed. This process is call osmosis. Your cell will burst trying to intake the large amount of water.

Your body will then spend more energy trying repairing the damaged cells. The best liquid to consume to prevent cell damage or the opposite (loss of water in cells caused by drinking something with a lower concentration of H2O like coffee) is Gatorade.

Gatorade or Powerade are both formulated to have the correct concentration of water that your cells will need without extra energy being spent.

By anon56438 — On Dec 14, 2009

would anyone know what would be the KH of distilled water?

By anon55781 — On Dec 09, 2009

I love you guys complaining about distilled water! Give me a break. Distilled water is the best water you can drink on this planet.

I have been drinking distilled for the last 30 years and know something? It's great.

By anon54160 — On Nov 27, 2009

I've heard that distilled water is and isn't safe to drink. Either way no one drinks it anyway, so why bother making it?

By anon52494 — On Nov 14, 2009

I think that if you take something with plenty of minerals to counteract the lack of minerals, you'll be OK. I also feel more comfortable drinking distilled. It may be an extra sense for my body, but it seems better. I would never drink tap water.

By anon50713 — On Oct 31, 2009

yes i have drunk distilled water for 15 years and think it is really good for my health. i fully recommend it to all of you.

joe, kuala lumpur, malaysia.

By anon49273 — On Oct 19, 2009

Can you use water from a dehumidifier for steam irons?

By anon48687 — On Oct 14, 2009

This article mentioned that distilled water doesn't contain flouride. This is the very reason I started drinking it. Flouride makes you dumb as rocks when you ingest it.

By anon44437 — On Sep 08, 2009

reply to post 33: ON oxygen 23 hours per day

*Do not use* water from a dehumidifier. It is not considered clean for medical use! take a sample to your pharmacist or ask your doctor.

By anon44206 — On Sep 05, 2009

I'm still confused by the whole thing. Can you distill water by just boiling it for say five minutes? Or does that just purify it of any germs or impurities?

By anon43334 — On Aug 27, 2009

Can rain water be considered/taken as distilled water? I am talking about distilled water which we use to refill our battery inverters. -Priyanka

By anon41326 — On Aug 14, 2009

what is the diffrence between mineral water and distilled water?

By anon39766 — On Aug 04, 2009

Is water from a de-humidifer really distilled water and is it potable?

By anon35560 — On Jul 06, 2009

I am on oxygen 23 hours per day. The main oxygen unit consists of a bottle which must contain only distilled water. Therefore, I purchase distilled water by the gallon for its use. I also have a dehumidifier. Could I use the water from the dehumidifier in lieu of purchasing distilled water?

By anon32999 — On May 30, 2009

I have been drinking distilled water for over 30 years. I love it, I hate the taste of all other water.

Item PH

Pure Water 7.00 (neutral)

Barq's 4.61

Diet Coke 3.39

Mountain Dew 3.22

Gatorade 2.95

Coke Classic 2.63

Pepsi 2.49

Sprite 3.42

Diet 7-Up 3.67

Mouth 6.5

Distilled water +co2 6.2

By anon30924 — On Apr 27, 2009

What type of distilled water should not be used to prepare media?

By anon29713 — On Apr 07, 2009

Is there a material data safety sheet for distilled water?

By anon29117 — On Mar 27, 2009

For anon23766

distilled water lacks any ions and is non-conductive.

By anon27861 — On Mar 06, 2009

One very important thing to remember is that distilled water is essentially pure, which means it returns to being a primary vector for disease if mishandled. Tap water left out for an hour is quite safe to drink. Distilled water left out for an hour isn't terribly dangerous, but bacteria will have colonized it. Give it a day and vast blooms of bacteria, algae, and mold can take root.

Waste water from a dehumidifier is essentially distilled water, and can be used as such. However, remember what I said earlier about the lack of bacteriocidal properties: if you wish to drink from your dehumifier, you must keep it hospital-clean. Wash the collector bucket and cooling coils thoroughly with vinegar or alcohol, allowing them to dry fully before use. Once you collect this water, it should be kept in a sealed container in order to prevent contamination as well as evaporation.

Most people don't truly need distilled water, but for those who do, my pointers will save you from allergies and sickness.

By murkaz228 — On Mar 03, 2009

can we use ionized water to top up a battery?

By murkaz228 — On Mar 03, 2009

Can ionized water be used in place of distilled water?

By ronwagn — On Feb 15, 2009

I just bought a distiller. I have thought about it for years. I was worried about spending the money. I wish I would have done it earlier. I found sone from $79 on up. Do a search.

I could not believe the nasty looking and smelling stuff that one gallon of distilling left in the machine. My wife quickly changed her mind. We will only use distilled water for drinking or cooking.

Now. I am angry about all the propaganda for tap water. We have public water. I felt better as soon as I started drinking pure water, and it tastes much better to me.

By anon24256 — On Jan 09, 2009

I drink distilled water, have been for 3 years. Arthritis & delicate stomach issues have stopped. I am not putting arsenic & chemicals the water company add to "clean" tap water into my body. I will never drink tap again. Distilled is what God gave us originally, when rain was safe to save in barrels & drink...ask your grandparents what they drank years ago...

By anon23766 — On Jan 02, 2009

why is distilled water not detected by a water circuit alarm system? what is the cause of it?

By anon23761 — On Jan 01, 2009

BloomUSA:

Excuse me, but who gives a flying rat's rectum about the environmental impact of buying bottled water?

I mean sure that might be true, but um, have you forgotten the convenience of stopping in 7-11 and just grabbing a bottle? I think that certainly out weighs any environmental impact, I mean, that's pretty freaking obvious. I wonder how you missed that point?

By anon23760 — On Jan 01, 2009

Distilled water is also cut with 50% alcohol in order to make a cleaning solution good for cleaning LCD displays (such as those used in laptops) and as well TV and Monitor screens, so as not to wipe the chemicals in the water onto the screen and smear it with lines.

Additionally, some of the chemicals in non-distilled water can hurt an LCD display when wiped thereupon.

By anon23729 — On Jan 01, 2009

yes distilled water is safe the way i make it...i have a unique preprocess to remove contaminants and my unique distiller redesign makes it a lot less acidic (food grade quality with post filter) for the last 4 years with very little problems considering full time usage-just a lot of work...2 gal/12hr

By liljay1508 — On Dec 15, 2008

how do you make it or get it?

By anon22635 — On Dec 07, 2008

What makes distilled water so hard?

By anon22633 — On Dec 07, 2008

What makes distilled water so heavy?

By APlumber — On Dec 04, 2008

No one has mentioned about the water that you get when you defrost your freezer....

What would this be 'classed' as?

Also, what would melted ice be classed as?

Looking to top up a car battery before charging but miles from anywhere..

By anon20386 — On Oct 30, 2008

i want to know that if we make two solutions in distilled water with same solute concentration but with different quantities of distilled water e.g10mL and 100 mL________then will there be any difference in pH of both solution???

By anon19867 — On Oct 21, 2008

Is water from a dehumidifier distilled water?

By anon18130 — On Sep 15, 2008

Would distilled water be suitable for use in a water/methanol injection system installed on forced induction vehicles? I have heard that global advanced timing can be altered up to 5 degrees, allowing for increased performance and safer intake temperatures.

By anon16400 — On Aug 05, 2008

Distilled water is by far the best choice if you have concerns about the unreliability of bottled waters or contamination of tap water. The trace nutrients can easily be replaced by by dietary means.

For anyone who chooses to comment on the contribution of the process to "global warming": I urge you to do your homework where the relationship between global temperatures and co2 are concerned. I suggest you go back more than two decades, and avoid sources with a vested interest in perpetuating the current global warming ideology fads.

Stop letting other people do your thinking for you.

By habura — On Jul 23, 2008

Grapejelly - I suggest you stop reading that newspaper. That was dispelled as an email hoax. Google "Johns Hopkins Cancer Distilled Water" and you'll see for yourself.

By grapejelly — On Jul 21, 2008

I read a newspaper that said john Hopkins said that distilled water could cause cancer. Please tell me if your studies have found different?

By anon13622 — On Jun 01, 2008

Posted by: anon6758

I want to know is it OK to use distilled water for treating wounds?

Yes it is just as safe as tap water.

Posted by: anon7506

i would like to know if you could make your own distilled water?

If you can boil water you can distill it theoretically.

You can also buy distillers from retailers.

My dehumidifier produces gallons per day of what I assume is identical to distilled water, only it's "condensed" water. Is this true?

Condensed water does not suggest that the water is distilled as there could still be other contaminants based on how and where the water condenses.

If something is acidic, it means that the pH has been lowered below pH 7, not raised. The opposite is true for basic (or alkaline) solutions. To truly be acidic, carbon dioxide requires high pressure and low temperatures to be dissolved in water and form carbonic acid. Otherwise, the process would take longer to occur. Look up Henry's law. This is how we have carbonated beverages (i.e., Pepsi), which are more acidic than distilled water.

You are right about the pH. You are wrong about distilled water not absorbing CO2, I am well aware of Henry's law and it hold true for carbonated beverages but the amount of CO2 is so great that pop is supersaturated and the gas leaches out at ambient pressure.

CO2 will readily dissolve in distilled water (or any water, but more so in distilled because it's 'empty' water). This can be proven. Add phenolphthalein indicator to distilled water. Let's presume the pH was 7 or just slightly below. the indicator should be a slight pink color. If you simply exhale over an erlenmeyer flask and swirl the water, the indicator will go clear after a matter of seconds indicating a drop in pH. Oceans absorb tons of the atmosphere's CO2 and they contain many salt or ions. Distilling water will amplify this effect.

Regards.

p.s. I will not drink distilled water personally. The best is filtered water from reverse osmosis or activated carbon.

By anon13007 — On May 17, 2008

If something is acidic, it means that the pH has been lowered below pH 7, not raised. The opposite is true for basic (or alkaline) solutions. To truly be acidic, carbon dioxide requires high pressure and low temperatures to be dissolved in water and form carbonic acid. Otherwise, the process would take longer to occur. Look up Henry's law. This is how we have carbonated beverages (i.e., Pepsi), which are more acidic than distilled water.

By anon12020 — On Apr 28, 2008

Distilled water is not bad for you at all. If you feel you'd lack minerals from drinking distilled water, then just pop a multi vitamin. Don't believe the hype written by that doctor who works for a spring water company.

By anon10713 — On Apr 01, 2008

My dehumidifier produces gallons per day of what I assume is identical to distilled water, only it's "condensed" water. Is this true?

By bloomusa — On Feb 17, 2008

Distilled water is highly acidic and should not be used for drinking. Did you know that it takes 8 fresh gallons of water to make just one gallon of bottled water? That is such a waste, also the petroleum that it takes to make the bottles and transport them is bad for the environment. The water is not any better than tap water and it is toxic sitting in those plastic bottles. The only solution is to make your own healthy water right from your own tap. Re-Use and Refill, save your health and the environment at the same time. stop buying corporate water! Stop getting ripped off by these bottling companies and take control of your own water supply.

By anon7506 — On Jan 28, 2008

i would like to know if you could make your own distilled water?

By anon6758 — On Jan 08, 2008

I want to know is it OK to use distilled water for treating wounds?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to DelightedCooking, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide...
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