Water composition changes with local geological conditions. Water is essential for our body and while reaching a glass of water may seem simple, if you think a little deeper we can categorize this drinking water into the following categories –
- distilled water
- spring water
- plain tap water
- well water
Among these, distilled water is the purest form which is formed from the steam of boiling water. While boiling the water, minerals and other impurities are removed from normal water, leaving the distilled water in a “purer” state. The need for demineralization was generated for the water where it was abundant but was highly mineralized like seawater. Drinking water supply was also of concern to ocean-going ships, and spaceships as well. Initially, these water treatment methods were not used elsewhere since they were technically exacting and costly. Additionally, we see wide use of distilled water where home water treatment systems are widely used or where some types of bottled water are consumed.
Although distilled water seems a purer form of drinking water it has some adverse health effects. Usually, such effects come from long-term consumption of demineralized water. Distilled water is low in some natural minerals particularly glacial mineral water which is low in TDS.
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Health risks from consumption of demineralized water
Based on experiments and observations scientists have reached a conclusion of some effects of consumption of demineralized water. Such experiments have been conducted in laboratory animals and human volunteers, and observational data have been obtained from people supplied with desalinated water, individuals drinking reverse osmosis-treated demineralized water, and infants given beverages prepared with distilled water. This water contains only small amounts of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are the major contributors to hardness. The possible adverse consequences of low mineral content water consumption are discussed in the following categories:
• Direct effects on the intestinal mucous membrane, metabolism, and mineral homeostasis or other body functions.
• Little or no intake of calcium and magnesium from low-mineral water.
• Low intake of other essential elements and microelements.
• Loss of calcium, magnesium, and other essential elements in prepared food.
• Possible increased dietary intake of toxic metals.
Due to the above causes, we observe the following negative effects on human body –
- a flat taste in mouth which is unappealing to many people. As a result they reduce in taking water consumption.
- a decrease in the body’s metabolic function
- an increase in urine output that could result in electrolyte imbalance. Here elimination of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium ions from the body increases.
- Although drinking water is not the major source of our calcium and magnesium intake, the health significance of supplemental intake of these elements from drinking water may outweigh its nutritional contribution expressed as the proportion of the total daily intake of these elements. Even in industrialized countries, diets deficient in terms of the quantity of calcium and magnesium, may not be able to fully compensate for the absence of calcium and, in particular, magnesium, in drinking water. For about 50 years, epidemiological studies in many countries all over the world have reported that soft water (i.e., water low in calcium and magnesium) and water low in magnesium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to hard water and water high in magnesium.
However, it is not dangerous to drink distilled water as part of a balanced diet. Because we drink a variety of foods and drinks throughout the day from which we get the salts and minerals. A balanced diet should include foods that replace any minerals lost through sweat.
What are the potential benefits of drinking distilled water?
There are some potential advantages of distilled water. These may include:
- Cleanses the body with pure water: Distilled water does not contain any extra additives so it is pure. Hence, some people believe that it can be cleansing for the body, though data on this are limited.
- Reducing the risk of disease: Distillation removes waterborne pathogens. Most waterborne disease-causing bacteria do not survive distillation.
- Reducing the risk of consuming harmful chemicals: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does allow for low levels of certain harmful chemicals in drinking water. In distilled water, none of these chemicals are present.
To get the maximum benefit from the distilled water we must consider the following points before consuming it. These are below:
- the quality of vitamins and minerals in the diet
- the quality of the local tap water
- the availability of other types of drinking water
- their taste preference
- the cost point
Final verdict
Drinking water should contain minimum levels of certain essential minerals (and other components such as carbonates). Unfortunately, over the two past decades, little research attention has been given to the beneficial or protective effects of drinking water substances. The main focus has been on the toxicological properties of contaminants. Nevertheless, some studies have attempted to define the minimum content of essential elements or TDS in drinking water, and some countries have included requirements or guidelines for selected substances in their drinking water regulations. The issue is relevant not only where drinking water is obtained by desalination (if not adequately re-mineralized) but also where home treatment or central water treatment reduces the content of important minerals and low-mineral bottled water is consumed.