Demineralized distilled water is indeed "purer" than mineral water, in
the sense of having less particulate matter. However, there is
disagreement regarding the healthfulness of drinking distilled water.
For copyright reasons, I'm posting brief excerpts from several Web
pages; for more in-depth info, you may want to read these pages in
their entirety.
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On the one hand, there are many online sources providing information
such as this:
"Let me classify the nine kinds of water. They are hard water, raw
water, boiled water, soft water, rain water, snow water, filtered
water, de-ionized water, and distilled water. All are kinds of water -
but remember this: only one of these nine kinds of water is good for
you.
Distilled water is water which has been turned into vapor, so that all
its impurities are left behind. Then, by condensing, it is turned back
to pure water. It is the only water which is pure - the only water
free from all impurities...
Even tap water invariably contains a variety of poisons such as
chlorine, chloramine, asbestos, pesticides, fluoride, copper, mercury,
and lead. The best way to remove all these contaminants is by
distilling...
The only minerals that the body can utilize are the organic minerals.
All other types of minerals are foreign substances to the body and
must be eliminated. Distilled water is the only water that can be
taken into the body without damage to the tissues."
Health-n-Energy: Water, Health & Purity - Experts Opinions
http://www.health-n-energy.com/waterop.htm
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"Distillation removes minerals which are considered inorganic
contaminants. It also drastically reduces or removes radioactive
substances, volatile organic compounds (via a post-distillation carbon
filter), herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals. It kills and
removes bacteria, viruses, and cysts."
ClearWater Purification Products
http://www.clearwaterproducts.com/myths.html
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"Does drinking distilled water leach minerals from the body? No, quite
the opposite. If inorganic minerals (and other substances like
chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, etc.) are removed from tapwater, by
converting it into pure distilled water, the result is improved
absorption of all nutrients, including minerals, and improved
elimination of wastes at the cellular level."
Glacier Water Treatment Systems
http://www.distilledwater.ca/vs.htm
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On the other hand, there are warnings that long-term consumption of
distilled water may be dangerous:
"During nearly 19 years of clinical practice I have had the
opportunity to observe the health effects of drinking different types
of water. Most of you would agree that drinking unfiltered tap water
could be hazardous to your health because of things like parasites,
chlorine, fluoride and dioxins.
Many health fanatics, however, are often surprised to hear me say that
drinking distilled water on a regular, daily basis is potentially
dangerous."
Dr. Joseph Mercola: Early Death Comes From Drinking Distilled Water
http://www.mercola.com/article/Diet/water/distilled_water.htm
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"Although it is controversial I am firmly convinced that distilled
water is harmful to your health.
One of the major foundational reasons is that distilled water is
highly acidic. Most of us are far too acidic already and the last
thing we need to be drinking is a fluid that will make us even more
acidic.
Distilled water is alleged to be beneficial due to its lack of
contaminants. Well, many of the devices that distill water are made of
metal and will actually add certain toxic metals like nickel back to
the water, which actually worsens health.
Since distilled water is like a vacuum without any minerals, it will
actually leach beneficial minerals from your body to balance it out.
While this maybe beneficial for a short period during some sort of
detoxification regimen, this is usually highly counter productive in
the long run."
Dr. Joseph Mercola: Finally, Physical Proof that Distilled Water is
Inferior
http://www.mercola.com/2002/may/8/distilled_water.htm
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"There is a correlation between the consumption of soft water
(purified water is extremely soft) and the incidence of cardiovascular
disease. Cells, tissues and organs do not like to be dipped in acid
and will do anything to buffer this acidity including the removal of
minerals from the skeleton and the manufacture of bicarbonate in the
blood. The longer one drinks purified water, the more likely the
development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state. I have done
well over 3000 mineral evaluations using a combination of blood, urine
and hair tests in my practice. Almost without exception, people who
consume purified water exclusively, eventually develop multiple
mineral deficiencies. Those who supplement their purified water intake
with trace minerals are not as deficient but still not as adequately
nourished in minerals as their non-purified water drinking
counterparts even after several years of mineral supplementation."
Watershed: Why Purified Water is Bad For You
http://watershed.net/purified.htm
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Here's a rather balanced look at the subject:
"Which type of water is better? The bottled water section in
supermarkets is always lined with a spectrum of brands, some
status-laden, others only generic. But there are really only two types
of water: distilled and mineral. Is one better for your health than
the other? Yes and no, says Dr. Edmund Li, a University of Hong Kong
senior lecturer in nutrition. Water makes up some 70% of the body;
drinking enough of either type will ensure that the body is properly
lubricated and flushed. Those concerned about impurities can opt for a
distilled brand, water that has been purified by vaporization and then
recondensed. Detractors of distilled water point out that it leaches
minerals from the body. However, the minerals it drains are inorganic
and are not used by the human system. Mineral water contains
electrolytes, compounds needed for muscle function and energy. Extreme
fluid loss due to exercise or vomiting can deplete electrolytes. When
this happens, 'distilled water is not the most appropriate method of
fluid replacement,' says Dr. Li. Mineral water or fluids formulated as
sports drinks are better choices to replace the required
electrolytes."
Asia Week
http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/96/0524/feat4.html
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Here you'll find a fact sheet about bottled water:
Cornell University
http://www.cce.cornell.edu/factsheets/wq-fact-sheets/bottled_water.htm
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A large collection of links to medical abstracts related to distilled
water and mineral water:
New Treatments
http://www.newtreatments.org/doc/WisdomExperience/107
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It seems that there is no consensus on whether distilled water is or
is not more healthful than mineral water. My own opinion is that
distilled water is the better choice, with mineral supplements as
needed during times of high exertion. Keep in mind that the safety of
the water itself is not the only issue. There's also the matter of the
bottle. You might be interested in this answer that I gave several
weeks ago:
Google Answers: Dangers in water from plastic bottles?
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=202093
Regarding getting water that you can trust from the supermarket, it is
my belief that distilled water in glass bottles is your best option.
Distilled water is less likely than other bottled water to harbor
bacteria, and glass, unlike plastic, does not shed potentially
hazardous chemicals into the water.
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Search terms used:
"distilled water" + "safety"
"demineralized water" + "safety"
"demineralised water" + "safety"
"mineral water" + "safety"
"distilled water" + "health"
"demineralized water" + "health"
"demineralised water" + "health"
"mineral water" + "health"
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I hope this information is useful. If anything is unclear, or if a
link does not function, please request clarification; I'll be glad to
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
