There is much controversy as to whether the benefits of distilled water outweigh its risks. Approximately 50 percent of Americans consume tap water, which is partially made up of treated wastewater. The distillation process removes any impurities left behind that are potentially harmful to the body. Opponents of distilled water claim that the process takes away elements that actually make regular water good for us.
The Facts
When water is distilled, all potentially harmful toxins are eliminated. First, it is boiled and evaporates into steam, and the impurities separate. After this separation, the water is turned back from steam into liquid. The residue contains the impurities and is discarded, along with the bacteria and toxins they may contain. Minerals in water are also removed during distillation.
Non-Distilled Water
Water that does not go through the distillation process contains inorganic (non-living) minerals. These include calcium, carbonate, lime, and magnesium. Distillation strips the water of these minerals; however, since they are inorganic, our body cells have no use for them. Instead, it is more useful for us to consume such minerals from food.
Purification
Our kidneys play an important role in taking toxins out of our bodies, with the help of water. Some believe that this purification process is more efficient if distilled water is used. As distilled water moves through the body, it washes away minerals that have accumulated in the artery walls, cells, and joints. This decreases the occurrence of gallstones and arthritis, as well as other serious health issues.
Cancer Prevention
The National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization collectively determined that up to 80 percent of cancer is a result of toxins in food, water, and the air. By removing such toxins, your chances of developing cancer decrease. Distilled water is one way of removing impurities that lead to such consequences. On the flip side, distilling water may go too far, by taking away minerals from our bodies that we actually need.
Considerations
Some believe that drinking distilled water is beneficial on a daily basis, while others believe that it is healthy as a body cleanser to be used for only up to three weeks at once. There is skepticism as to whether distilled water purifies the body too much. Your body can lose chloride, magnesium, potassium, and sodium by drinking distilled water on a regular basis, which could lead to high blood pressure. Minerals can get removed from foods that are cooked with distilled water as well, which makes them less nutritious.
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