Health - Wellness
Is It Safe To Drink Distilled Water?
By KIMBERLY SMITH
There are plenty of choices for bottled water, ranging from spring water to purified water and sparkling water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies bottled water by origin, such as artesian well, mineral, spring, and well water, all of which are processed differently.
Distilling water involves boiling water, collecting the steam from it, and returning it to a liquid state. In this sense, distilled water is pure compared to other types of water, as it removes everything from it, making it the ideal water for cleaning medical equipment, conducting lab tests, and making cosmetics.
Distilled water is safe to drink, but because it lacks minerals, it might lack flavor and pull minerals from what it touches, such as teeth. While this sounds alarming, drinking distilled water should not cause any deficiencies, as essential minerals are also present in other food sources.
Cancer patients might benefit from drinking distilled water, as treatment often creates an electrolyte imbalance, removing calcium and other minerals from deposits on joints, reducing arthritis symptoms, and possibly preventing kidney stones. However, for some people, drinking distilled water can also result in an electrolyte imbalance, as well as headaches, muscle cramps, and fatigue.