Assess the Mineral Content of Distilled Water

Distillation is a method that removes all dissolved minerals and chemical compounds from water. The result is water that’s nearly pure, which has many uses for people and industry. Distillation also eliminates waterborne disease-causing bacteria, making it a choice for laboratories and pharmacies. But distilled water does lack essential minerals that your body needs, so it’s not a good idea to drink this type of water for an extended period of time.

The body gets its essential minerals primarily from the food you consume each day. However, minerals in water play a number of important roles. For example, they help carry signals between cells, aid in nutrient transport and regulate your body’s pH levels, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Most dietary minerals come from fruits and vegetables, but some do get into your system through other sources, such as mineral-rich spring waters. In fact, one liter of most natural mineral waters containing calcium, magnesium and sodium fulfills an important proportion of your daily recommended intake (DRI) for these nutrients.

Most medical and nutritional authorities agree that the body assimilates organic minerals directly from food. In fact, over 95% of the major and trace minerals ingested in the human body each day come from foods. On the other hand, a small percentage comes from drinking water, with only about 5% coming from tap and bottled water sources. In addition, consuming too many minerals may be harmful to your health.

Because distilled water has such a low mineral content, it’s not suitable for babies or anyone who’s undergoing certain types of treatment. In addition, a person who drinks remineralizing distilled water as his primary source of drinking water might have a deficiency in some of the essential minerals that are required for normal bodily function, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

How to Assess the Mineral Content of Distilled Water

Although the low mineral content of distilled water is not good for some individuals, most healthy people can safely drink this type of water. In fact, a few extra minerals may even be beneficial for some people, such as those who are suffering from electrolyte imbalances due to illness or intense exercise.

Remineralizing distilled water can be done in a variety of ways, including simply adding a pinch of sea salt to the glass. A remineralizing pitcher filter is another option that makes the process simple and convenient. This type of water jug looks just like any other pitcher, but has an additional chamber that allows you to add magnesium, potassium and sodium ions to the distilled water as it passes through.

Taking this step also raises the water’s pH level, which can help improve its flavor and taste, so it is more appealing to drink. Additionally, a higher pH level will help the distilled water better support the body’s natural mineral balance. A high-quality remineralizing pitcher filter will also be more durable, which is an important factor when choosing a product for a long-term use at home.