Many have come across distilled water at supermarkets and found themselves wondering how it differs from normal water. If you're one of those people, you're in the right place.
Distilled water is water that has been purified via distillation. The method involves pure H2O being separated from its contaminants and is made by boiling water into a vapor, then condensing the steam back into a liquid in a different container.
Yes, distilled water can be drunk. Given what it passes through, it is one of the purest forms of water and there are very few health risks associated with it.
Some people claim distilled water can detoxify your body in ways other types of purified water cannot, but there's not enough evidence to back the theory up.
Also, even though distillation gets rid of contaminants, it also leads to the loss of healthy minerals — like calcium and magnesium — that are present in tap water.
Drinking only distilled water would mean minerals getting pulled from your body to maintain balance. This is of particular concern when it comes to your teeth.
Purified water is water that has been filtered or processed to get rid of any contaminants or impurities. As such, distilled water is a type of purified water. Because it is pure H2O, it has a noticeably flat and dull taste.
On the other hand, spring water originates from an underground source and has risen to the surface.
This type of water endures multiple stages of filtration, but retains the naturally occurring minerals that affect quality and taste.
Distilled water stays fine indefinitely. However, if you plan to drink it, it's probably best to change the jug after about five years. If the water is for other purposes, it should be fine no matter how long it has kept.