Distilled water is formed from the steam of boiling water. By boiling the water, minerals and other impurities are removed, leaving pure H2O. Because of this, some people believe that drinking distilled water can help cleanse the body of unnecessary chemicals. This isn't true. The minerals present in ordinary drinking water are necessary for good health. The main risks of drinking only distilled water are linked to its lack of minerals, including magnesium and calcium. Some of the adverse effects include: a flat taste that many people find unappealing, leading to reduced water consumption a decrease in the body's metabolic function an increase in urine output that could result in electrolyte imbalance The lack of minerals and electrolytes in distilled water forces unhealthy changes in the delicate balance of sodium, potassium, fluid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and other nutrients in the body. When the body loses water through sweating and urine output, it loses sodium and other minerals. In order for the body to function properly, a person must replace those minerals. However, if a person eats a balanced diet with the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, they should not become deficient. Since most people eat and drink a variety of foods and beverages throughout the day, most people will get the salts and minerals they need from these other sources. Distilled water isn’t likely to dramatically improve your health, but it probably won’t hurt it either. If you don’t mind the taste and you get minerals from a well-balanced diet, it’s fine to drink distilled water. Resources Content, HTML, graphics & design by Bill Willis 2024