Distilled water vs tap water: Which is the healthier choice?

Distilled water is safe to drink and can provide effective hydration, but health experts say it lacks essential minerals found in regular drinking water, making tap water the better choice for most people.

According to Health, distilled water undergoes a purification process that removes contaminants, including bacteria, parasites and chemicals, but also strips away naturally occurring minerals.

What is distilled water?

Distilled water is produced by boiling water into steam before condensing it back into liquid form.

The distillation process removes impurities and minerals, resulting in highly purified water.

Because of its purity, distilled water is commonly used in household appliances such as humidifiers, steam irons and CPAP machines, where mineral build-up can cause damage.

Is it safe to drink?

Experts say distilled water is completely safe for both short-term and long-term consumption.

It has no known health risks or side effects and can hydrate the body just as effectively as other types of drinking water.

How it differs from tap water

Unlike tap water, distilled water contains virtually no minerals.

Tap water is treated to remove harmful contaminants and may contain beneficial minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and copper. In some areas, fluoride is also added to help protect dental health.

Filtered water removes certain impurities and improves taste, while purified water can be produced through distillation or reverse osmosis.

Is distilled water healthier?

Although distilled water is free from contaminants, experts say it is not necessarily the healthiest everyday option because it lacks naturally occurring minerals that contribute to overall nutrition.

For most people, tap water remains the preferred choice for daily hydration, as it provides both safe drinking water and beneficial minerals.