Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurified WaterDistilled WaterFiltered vs. Distilled WaterPurifed vs. Tap WaterPurification at HomeSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purified Water
Distilled Water
Filtered vs. Distilled Water
Purifed vs. Tap Water
Purification at Home
Summary
There are many different types of available drinking water, including purified water, distilled water, and regular tap water. Each type has its own potential benefits and downsides.
Up to 60% of the human body is made up of water, so drinking a proper amount each day is critical. This vital resource ensures the survival of your body’s cells. It transports nutrients and regulates your internal temperature.
This article covers the differences between these types of drinking water to find out which is best for hydration (and other uses).
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What Is Purified Water?
Allpublic drinking waterhas also been purified in some way before it is considered safe for consumption.
Health Benefits of Purified Water
Public drinking waterand commercially available bottled water are treated to remove bacteria and parasites that can cause illness, usually through chlorination and/or filtering.
Filtering water removes impurities, natural minerals, and other inorganic compounds from the liquid. This commonly includes substances likesodium,iron, and chloride.
Drinking purified water reduces the risk of consuming potentially harmful chemicals or substances. With some types of purification that remove minerals, the water has a flatter and blander taste, which some people prefer to the stronger taste associated with water with natural minerals.
Potential Downsides of Purified Water
When purchasing purified water, you can check its mineral content on the label to see whether the process used removes potentially beneficial minerals.
One of the biggest potential downsides of drinking purified water is missing out on the health benefits of some of the substances that might be removed. Many of the minerals that may be removed, depending on the type of purification, play a significant role in your body’s processes.
For example,calciumis influential in building and maintaining strong bones.Magnesiuminfluences the structure of your cell membranes and how your metabolism functions.
Early studies have tied regularly drinking water without these minerals to a higher risk of childhood fractures, certain neurological diseases, and some types of cancer.These associations still need more rigorous examination, however.
What Are the Benefits of Alkaline Water?
Distilled Water Is a Type of Purified Water
Distilled wateris water that is boiled into steam and then recondensed back into a liquid form. Distillation is considered to be another way to purify water.This process also eliminates naturally occurring minerals that are traditionally found in drinking water.
Boiled Water vs. Distilled WaterBoiling purified water at home is not the same as distilling water. Boiling can kill bacteria and parasites, but minerals and other substances can remain in boiled water.The distillation process is much more effective in removing impurities, minerals, and other substances.
Boiled Water vs. Distilled Water
Boiling purified water at home is not the same as distilling water. Boiling can kill bacteria and parasites, but minerals and other substances can remain in boiled water.The distillation process is much more effective in removing impurities, minerals, and other substances.
Health Benefits of Distilled Water
Distilled water is one of the purest forms of bottled water suitable for drinking.Boiling water kills most bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. This significantly reduces your chances of catching a waterborne illness.
Because distilled water is recondensed from steam, most remaining microbes and most chemical impurities are also removed.The purity of this form of water also makes it the preferred choice for laboratory testing and medical procedures due to the low likelihood of contamination.
Potential Downsides of Distilled Water
Though the boiling and recondensing process removes many viruses, minerals, and bacteria, distilled water is not completely free from impurities.Substances that have a boiling point near that of water may vaporize along with water and recondense in the distilled water.
Because of this, an additional water filtration system (like reverse osmosis) may be necessary to get closer to completely pure water.
In addition, drinking distilled water may deprive your body of potentially beneficial nutrients. The distillation process removes minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium, andpotassium, all of which play an influential role in the body.
Does Purified or Filtered Water Work as a Substitute for Distilled Water?
Distilled water is preferable to purified water in some cases.
CPAP Machines and Other Devices
Water containing high amounts of minerals can cause scaly buildup to develop in medical devices likecontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.It may also cause the machine’s components to prematurely break down.
In addition, under-filtered water can also contain higher levels of bacteria, which can lead to infection or airway irritation. As a result,distilled water is recommended for use in CPAPmachines,neti pots, and other medical devices that utilize water.
Should You Choose Purified or Regular Water?
Though manufacturers frequently claim that purified water is healthier than tap water, the jury is still out.
Municipal tap water is tested and usually treated to remove contaminants before it reaches your faucet. Tap water is subject to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations for what levels of impurities and chemicals are acceptable.
Some purification processes remove minerals that may be present in your local tap water and are beneficial to your health.In the end, there is no slam-dunk winner in this debate.
Instead, what is most important isstaying hydrated. Adults should aim for at least 9 cups of fluid (water and other beverages) per day, with more depending on sex (women need at least 9 cups, while men need at least 13), environmental conditions, and sweating.
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts but are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as its sources do.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts but are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as its sources do.
How to Purify Your Drinking Water
Several different methods can purify your home drinking water. These systems are usually either point-of-use devices (like a purifying pitcher or a one-faucet filter) or whole-house systems. Some of the most common purification methods include:
A Word From VerywellWater is a vital part of a healthy diet and plays an essential role in multiple body processes. Our lives are busy, and we learn to ignore our thirst, but it’s important to listen to our bodies and ensure we are properly hydrated.—AVIV JOSHUA, MS, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Water is a vital part of a healthy diet and plays an essential role in multiple body processes. Our lives are busy, and we learn to ignore our thirst, but it’s important to listen to our bodies and ensure we are properly hydrated.—AVIV JOSHUA, MS, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Water is a vital part of a healthy diet and plays an essential role in multiple body processes. Our lives are busy, and we learn to ignore our thirst, but it’s important to listen to our bodies and ensure we are properly hydrated.
—AVIV JOSHUA, MS, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Purified water uses a filtration system to remove impurities in the liquid. Distillation is one form of purification that boils and recondenses water process to create a purer version of the liquid.
Though these processes may remove certain types of bacteria or minerals, the jury is still out as to whether this is beneficial in the long run. Ultimately, ensuring you stay hydrated seems the most important goal.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.United States Geological Survey.The water in you: water in the human body.MyTapWater.org.Distilled water vs. purified water.Food and Drug Administration.Bottled water everywhere: keeping it safe.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Bottled water basics.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Drinking water regulations.Verma KC, Kushwaha AS.Demineralization of drinking water: Is it prudent?Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2014;70(4):377-379. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2013.11.011Vannucci L, Fossi C, Quattrini S, et al.Calcium intake in bone health: a focus on calcium-rich mineral waters.Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1930. doi:10.3390/nu10121930National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Making water safe in an emergency.ReAgent.What’s the difference between distilled and ultrapure water?University of Massachusetts Amherst.Distillation treatment of drinking water supplies.Sleep Foundation.Should you use distilled water for a CPAP machine?Miko S, Collier SA, Burns-Lynch CE, et al.(Mis)perception and use of unsterile water in home medical devices, PN View 360+ Survey, United States, August 2021.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(2):397-401. doi:10.3201/eid2902.221205U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers for consumers concerning infant formula.Seattle Children’s.Bottle-feeding (formula) questions.Michael KGFT, Somani BK.Variation in tap water mineral content in the United Kingdom: Is it relevant for kidney stone disease?J Clin Med. 2022;11(17):5118. doi:10.3390/jcm11175118Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.How much water do you need?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A guide to drinking water treatment technologies for household use.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.United States Geological Survey.The water in you: water in the human body.MyTapWater.org.Distilled water vs. purified water.Food and Drug Administration.Bottled water everywhere: keeping it safe.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Bottled water basics.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Drinking water regulations.Verma KC, Kushwaha AS.Demineralization of drinking water: Is it prudent?Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2014;70(4):377-379. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2013.11.011Vannucci L, Fossi C, Quattrini S, et al.Calcium intake in bone health: a focus on calcium-rich mineral waters.Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1930. doi:10.3390/nu10121930National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Making water safe in an emergency.ReAgent.What’s the difference between distilled and ultrapure water?University of Massachusetts Amherst.Distillation treatment of drinking water supplies.Sleep Foundation.Should you use distilled water for a CPAP machine?Miko S, Collier SA, Burns-Lynch CE, et al.(Mis)perception and use of unsterile water in home medical devices, PN View 360+ Survey, United States, August 2021.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(2):397-401. doi:10.3201/eid2902.221205U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers for consumers concerning infant formula.Seattle Children’s.Bottle-feeding (formula) questions.Michael KGFT, Somani BK.Variation in tap water mineral content in the United Kingdom: Is it relevant for kidney stone disease?J Clin Med. 2022;11(17):5118. doi:10.3390/jcm11175118Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.How much water do you need?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A guide to drinking water treatment technologies for household use.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
United States Geological Survey.The water in you: water in the human body.MyTapWater.org.Distilled water vs. purified water.Food and Drug Administration.Bottled water everywhere: keeping it safe.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Bottled water basics.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Drinking water regulations.Verma KC, Kushwaha AS.Demineralization of drinking water: Is it prudent?Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2014;70(4):377-379. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2013.11.011Vannucci L, Fossi C, Quattrini S, et al.Calcium intake in bone health: a focus on calcium-rich mineral waters.Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1930. doi:10.3390/nu10121930National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Making water safe in an emergency.ReAgent.What’s the difference between distilled and ultrapure water?University of Massachusetts Amherst.Distillation treatment of drinking water supplies.Sleep Foundation.Should you use distilled water for a CPAP machine?Miko S, Collier SA, Burns-Lynch CE, et al.(Mis)perception and use of unsterile water in home medical devices, PN View 360+ Survey, United States, August 2021.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(2):397-401. doi:10.3201/eid2902.221205U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers for consumers concerning infant formula.Seattle Children’s.Bottle-feeding (formula) questions.Michael KGFT, Somani BK.Variation in tap water mineral content in the United Kingdom: Is it relevant for kidney stone disease?J Clin Med. 2022;11(17):5118. doi:10.3390/jcm11175118Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.How much water do you need?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A guide to drinking water treatment technologies for household use.
United States Geological Survey.The water in you: water in the human body.
MyTapWater.org.Distilled water vs. purified water.
Food and Drug Administration.Bottled water everywhere: keeping it safe.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Bottled water basics.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Drinking water regulations.
Verma KC, Kushwaha AS.Demineralization of drinking water: Is it prudent?Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2014;70(4):377-379. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2013.11.011
Vannucci L, Fossi C, Quattrini S, et al.Calcium intake in bone health: a focus on calcium-rich mineral waters.Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1930. doi:10.3390/nu10121930
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Making water safe in an emergency.
ReAgent.What’s the difference between distilled and ultrapure water?
University of Massachusetts Amherst.Distillation treatment of drinking water supplies.
Sleep Foundation.Should you use distilled water for a CPAP machine?
Miko S, Collier SA, Burns-Lynch CE, et al.(Mis)perception and use of unsterile water in home medical devices, PN View 360+ Survey, United States, August 2021.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(2):397-401. doi:10.3201/eid2902.221205
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Questions and answers for consumers concerning infant formula.
Seattle Children’s.Bottle-feeding (formula) questions.
Michael KGFT, Somani BK.Variation in tap water mineral content in the United Kingdom: Is it relevant for kidney stone disease?J Clin Med. 2022;11(17):5118. doi:10.3390/jcm11175118
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.How much water do you need?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A guide to drinking water treatment technologies for household use.
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