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More and more people are interested in water quality and how it impacts health. With so many types of water to choose from, it is hard to know which one is best for you. One option many are turning to for its purity is distilled water, which goes through a specific distillation process. Distillation is the process where water boils and the vapor is condensed back into water. This process strips the water of any and all impurities, which is why many find it as a good option for them. However, whether distilled water is actually better for you than other types of water is a different story.
One large factor that affects the “healthiness” of water is its pH. The pH of a liquid is a number it is assigned on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 refers to a completely neutral liquid, and typically a pH of 7 is associated with regular drinking water. As the numbers decrease, these signify an increasing acidity of the liquid. As the numbers increase, the liquid is more and more alkaline.
The reason a liquid’s pH is so closely connected with the healthiness of this liquid is because “the pH of the human body lies in a tight range between 7.35-7.45, and any minor alterations from this range can have severe implications” (1). It is crucial to your health to keep the body’s equilibrium within this range, as blood abnormalities like acidosis and alkalosis may occur due to too much acidity or alkalinity in your diet.
Distilled water undergoes the process of distillation to create completely mineral-free drinking water. In this process, “steam from boiling water is recondensed and bottled. Distilling water kills microbes and removes water’s natural minerals, giving it a flat taste” (2). Distilled water removes all minerals–both those that could help and hurt the body–during this process.
Typically, distilled water’s pH falls in the range of 5 to 7 on the pH scale. This actually places distilled water as more alkaline than its other drinking water counterparts. Bottled water tends to range from 6.5 to 7.5, and tap water also sits right around 7.5. Alkaline water has the highest pH of the bunch, with its pH around an 8 or 9 (3).
Because distilled water is boiled down to its purest form, many believe distilled water has a pH of 7. However, this is not the case. Distilled water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it sits out, which creates that acidic pH (4). After about two hours of sitting out, the pH of distilled water drops from a neutral pH of 7 to its final, acidic pH. Typically, this pH sits right around 5.8, but, as previously mentioned, it can fall as low as 5.
Myth: Distilled water is always perfectly neutral because pure water is the definition of a neutral pH of 7.
Fact: Distilled water may be neutral or acidic, depending on whether it has been sitting out. While distilled water is completely neutral right after distillation, it can quickly absorb carbon dioxide from the surrounding air and drop to an acidic pH of 5.8 within a few hours. Drinking large quantities of acidic water can be harmful to your health, so it is recommended to offset this acidity. One easy way to stave off this acidification is by running your distilled water through an alkaline water pitcher, which will raise the water’s pH and help keep your body at a healthy equilibrium.
Myth: Distilled water is healthier than purified, filtered, or tap water.
Fact: While freshly distilled water is pure and free of dangerous contaminants, it does not include healthy minerals that are necessary for human health. Minerals like calcium and magnesium are beneficial to the body, but they are filtered out during the distillation process (5). However, these minerals are still present in most tap, bottled, and alkaline waters.
Distilled water does filter out harmful contaminants, but it filters out helpful minerals, too. Alkaline water, on the other hand, both filters out harmful contaminants and keeps in these helpful minerals. Additionally, alkaline water has a higher pH than normal drinking water, so consuming alkaline water can help keep your body at a healthy equilibrium.
Alkaline water also comes with its own array of health benefits. Alkaline water consumption has been linked to improved blood circulation, increased hydration, regulated blood sugar, and reduced acid reflux symptoms (6). This is not to say that distilled water is bad for you, but more that running distilled water through an alkaline water pitcher could help to better balance your body’s pH levels, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
Distilled water typically has an acidic pH, ranging from 5 to 7. This is due to the carbon dioxide that enters that water once it is set out. Adding distilled water into a normal diet tends to lower the body’s equilibrium, which can lead to harmful side effects. However, filtering tap or distilled water through an alkaline water pitcher can help raise the water’s pH, thus offsetting these side effects. Drinking alkaline water can ensure your body avoids the harmful contaminants of tap water, while still receiving the crucial minerals it needs from your water.
Is distilled water alkaline water?
No, distilled water is not alkaline water. Distilled water is typically either neutral or acidic.
Which is better for you, distilled water or alkaline water?
Alkaline water contains healthy minerals that distilled water filters out, making it healthier for you. Additionally, alkaline water has a higher pH that can help restore the body’s equilibrium.
Is distilled water safe to drink?
Distilled water is safe to drink, however, it does not have any health benefits. Distilled water filters out healthy minerals that other water types keep in.
What is the pH level of distilled water?
Typically, distilled water has a pH of 5 to 7. The average pH for distilled water is 5.8.
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