The Disadvantages of Drinking Distilled Water

Distilled water is tap water that is processed and condensed back into liquid form. Through this process, any pre-existing vitamins or minerals in the water are completely removed. Though some claim that distilled water is healthy, there are some disadvantages to drinking it on a daily basis that you should consider before completely switching to distilled water.

Taste

Since distilled water has no vitamins or minerals, it also has very little taste. This can cause it to take on the taste of its container, often a plastic bottle. Minerals in normal drinking water often help to preserve the water's crisp taste. Some distilled water distributors have started marketing their product in a glass container for this reason.

Acidity

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Since distilled water contains no nutrients, it absorbs other elements very easily. Consequently, when it comes in contact with the air, it absorbs carbon monoxide. This will raise the acidity of the water, according to Dr. Zoltan Rona, an opponent of drinking distilled water. Acidic water is not directly toxic, but Rona and others claim that water should be alkaline and that acidic water can lead to many health risks, including cancer and osteoporosis.

Dental Health

Since distilled water does not contain any minerals, it also lacks the fluoride that drinking water from a tap contains. Some dentists cite this lack of fluoride as a cause of an abundance of cavities in children who drink distilled and other bottled water, according to MedPage Today. While some bottled water manufacturers add fluoride back to their water, distilled water still does not contain fluoride.

Electrolyte Imbalance

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According to one World Health Organization study, drinking distilled water causes your body to lose electrolytes it needs to stay hydrated like potassium, sodium and chloride because it needs to use them to process the water. This could lead to symptoms that include dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps and even organ failure. While dehydration from distilled water is unlikely if you are consuming average levels of sodium, the common practice of fasting while drinking distilled water could be unhealthy.