Can You Drink Di tilled Water? Safety, Ri k & Who Should Avoid

Anyone who has ever been handed a bottle of distilled water at a medical appointment knows that slightly flat, sterile taste. That purity raises a question that’s deceptively simple: can you drink distilled water, and what happens when you do?

Mineral content in distilled water: 0 mg/L (none) ·
Typical pH of distilled water: 7.0 (neutral) ·
Purity of distilled water: 99.9% pure (no dissolved solids) ·
Daily water loss through urine in adults: about 1.5–2 L

Four facts, one pattern: distilled water’s greatest strength—purity—is also its weakness for everyday drinking. Here’s what the numbers say about how it’s made.

The implication: distillation is extremely effective at stripping everything out—good and bad alike.

Can You Drink Distilled Water?

Yes, you can drink distilled water. Health authorities like WebMD (health information resource) confirm it is safe for occasional consumption. The water contains no bacteria, pesticides, or heavy metals that can sometimes turn up in tap water. But the same process that removes contaminants also removes beneficial minerals—calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.

How often can I drink distilled water?

• Occasional use: perfectly fine. A glass or two here and there won’t harm anyone.
• Daily use: Healthline (medical review site) notes that daily distilled water consumption reduces your intake of electrolytes and minerals that come from water.
• Exclusive use: not recommended. The World Health Organization has warned that long-term intake of demineralized water may contribute to inadequate mineral intake, according to a summary by Tyent USA (water ionizer company) referencing WHO 2004 guidelines.

The trade-off: you gain contaminant-free water but lose the dietary minerals that many people already struggle to get enough of.

What Does Drinking Distilled Water Do to the Body?

When you drink distilled water, your body absorbs it the same way as any other water—through the stomach and intestines. But because distilled water has no dissolved minerals, it can affect fluid balance differently. A 2014 review hosted by NIH (National Institutes of Health) found that demineralized water can increase urine output, averaging around 20% more than mineral-containing water.

What’s the taste like? Healthline describes it as flat or bland. That’s because the minerals that give spring or tap water its subtle flavor are gone. Some people don’t mind it; others find it unsatisfying.

The pattern: distilled water hydrates, but it doesn’t replenish. For short periods the body compensates fine. Over the long haul, the lack of calcium, magnesium, and potassium becomes a practical nutritional gap.

Is Distilled Water Good for Your Kidneys?

This is where distilled water gets interesting. Because it has no minerals, it places almost zero osmotic stress on the kidneys—no calcium, oxalate, or sodium to filter out. Tyent USA claims distilled water may reduce kidney stone risk by diluting calcium and sodium in urine. However, the same review from NIH notes that low-magnesium water intake may be associated with higher risk of adverse outcomes, including for kidney function.

The consensus among medical sources: for healthy kidneys, moderate amounts of distilled water are safe. For people with kidney disease, the picture is less clear—Lam Clinic (medical practice) suggests it may help because it is free of minerals and contaminants, but larger studies are missing.

Why this matters: if you have kidney concerns, switching to distilled water without medical guidance could be counterproductive because you are also removing electrolytes your kidneys help regulate.

Who Shouldn’t Drink Distilled Water?

Three groups face real risks from regular distilled water consumption:

• Pregnant women—need extra calcium, magnesium, and potassium for fetal development. Healthline advises against distilled water as a primary source during pregnancy.
• Infants and children—growing bodies depend on water as a mineral source. The NIH review links low-calcium water intake with higher fracture risk in children.
• Athletes—lose electrolytes through sweat and need water that contributes to replenishment, not just hydration.

Can you drink distilled water while pregnant?

The answer is: occasionally, yes—but not as your main water. Pregnant women require adequate mineral intake, and water is a meaningful source. WebMD notes that some studies have linked low-calcium and low-magnesium water intake with tiredness, muscle cramps, and other complications. If you are pregnant, stick to mineral-containing water or a balanced diet that compensates.

The catch: the groups who most need minerals from water are precisely the ones most likely to be advised to drink “pure” water—a well-intentioned but potentially counterproductive recommendation.

Is There a Downside to Drinking Distilled Water?

Yes, there are clear downsides, especially for long-term exclusive use. Here’s a balanced look at the upsides and downsides.

The trade-off: distilled water offers purity at the cost of mineral content. For most healthy adults, occasional use is fine. For vulnerable groups or everyday drinking, spring or mineral-containing tap water is a better choice.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Distilled water is free of contaminants and minerals. (WebMD, Aquasana)
• Drinking distilled water occasionally is safe. (Healthline)
• Exclusive long-term consumption may lead to mineral deficiencies. (NIH review)

What’s unclear

• Exact mineral loss rate from drinking distilled water as primary water source is not well quantified by peer-reviewed studies.
• Long-term effects on kidney function for healthy individuals remain understudied—most evidence comes from short-term trials or population-level associations.
• The clinical significance of mineral loss in people with otherwise adequate dietary mineral intake has not been established by controlled trials.

What Experts Say

“Distilled water is safe to drink, but it may taste flat because it is stripped of minerals that give water flavor.”

— WebMD health reference

“Distilled water probably will not dramatically improve your health, but it also probably will not hurt your health if your diet provides enough minerals.”

— Healthline medical review

“Distilled water lacks the beneficial minerals that other waters provide, and it may not be suitable as a long-term primary source of hydration.”

— Aquasana water quality guide

The consensus across medical and water-quality sources is consistent: distilled water is safe in moderation but not ideal as an everyday drinking water for people who depend on water for minerals.

For the average Canadian household, the choice between distilled and tap water is clear: use distilled for CPAP machines, coffee makers, and lab work. For daily hydration, opt for a whole house water purifier that removes contaminants while preserving beneficial minerals—or simply drink filtered tap water. Without mineral supplementation, exclusive distilled water use risks electrolyte imbalances that no one needs.

If you are wondering whether you can drink distilled water, it helps to first understand what distilled water is and how it differs from other types of water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading

• Whole House Water Purifiers — A guide to filtering your home’s water while preserving minerals.
• Is Creatine Bad for You? — Another evidence-based health Q&A about a commonly used substance.