Is Purified Water The Same As Distilled Water? The Key Differences You Need To Know

  Mar 26, 2024
Reviewed by Ravinder Kaur

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Want to ensure the best drinking water for your loved ones but are stuck with the dilemma of choosing between Distilled Water and Purified Water? Don’t worry; this article got you covered by enlisting the vital differences between the two. In today’s blog, we will discuss whether “is Purified Water the same as Distilled Water and which one is safer to use.”

Every cell in our body needs water to function properly, clearly stating why hydration is so important for the human body. Everyone is well aware of the significance of water, but unfortunately, most people overlook the importance of the quality of our drinking water. Deciding on the quality of drinking water is undoubtedly a difficult choice that one has to make.

The average human body is approximately 60% water (in adults) to 70% water (in children) which indicates that the quality of our drinking water has a huge impact on our health. To sustain a healthy lifestyle, one needs to ensure that the water he or she drinks is free from impurities and loaded with vital minerals. Besides the health hazards, impure and contaminated water can lead to scale buildup and can cause plumbing related-issues in your home. Let’s dive straight into the article to figure out, between Distilled and Purified water, which one is the best fit for you! 

Different Types of Water

There are plenty of choices when it comes to drinking water. People are generally aware of Distilled and Purified Water because these two are the people’s choices when it comes to the best water. Knowing about different types of water will give you a basic understanding of premium quality water and will help you make the best choice.

  • Purified Water: It is considered the purest form of water out there as it refers to the quality of water. Several ways, including reverse osmosis, ion exchange, etc., are used to attain this level of purity. In order to be considered Purified water, the water needs to meet the minimum criteria and should have less than 10 PPM (parts-per-million)
  • Distilled Water: It is a variant of Purified Water that undergo the process of distillation. The process of distillation involves boiling the water and capturing the steam (which includes pure H2O), and then condensing it back into the water. Distilled Water is bacteria-free and doesn’t have any contaminants. So, you can rest assured about the health implications of Distilled Water. 
  • Mineral Water: Rich in minerals, mineral water naturally contains many dissolved nutritious components, including Iron, Sulphate, Potassium, Calcium, etc. Besides, it has at least 250 PPM of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and is generally considered fit for use.
  • Spring Water: It is water sourced from natural underground sources and contains a healthy amount of nutrients and minerals. Spring water is usually collected with a borehole and is very appealing to people for its mineral and nutritional-rich value. Though rich in minerals, spring water is not fit for use as it contains several impurities and pollutants.

Among the different types of water, only Purified and Distilled Water is considered the purest. The rigorous filtration process of Distilled and Purified Water eliminates the impurities, pollutants, chemicals, and harmful microbes in water. So, depending on your individual preference, you can choose any of them.

Purified Water – A Brief Intro

In the debate between Distilled vs. Purified Water, Purified Water always gets a competitive advantage because of its purity. Purified Water undergoes several filtration processes to remove various impurities from the water. It can be made from tap water and underground water through the filtration process. 

During the purification process, the following impurities are removed from the water:-

  • Fungi
  • Algae
  • Bacteria
  • Different Parasites
  • Numerous Chemical Pollutants
  • Lead, and Copper

The water must have less than 10 PPM to be classified as Purified water. So, water that meets this threshold is inherently of higher quality and is labeled as Purified water. Methods like filtration, sedimentation, disinfection, and coagulation are used to remove 99% of the impurities and toxins. Purified Water is the popular choice of people living in areas that have poor water quality. 

Health Benefits of Drinking Purified Water

Purified Water has many notable health benefits, that’s why it is considered among the healthiest water. Though standard tap water is safe for use, it still may contain traces of chemicals; that’s why one should opt for Purified Water to be on the safer side.

The following are the health benefits that Purified Water serves: –

  1. Purified Water underwent several purification methods which eliminate Chlorine from it. It is a standard chemical found in water that has been linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer and other similar cancers.
  1. The absence of harmful bacteria promotes good gut health and also keeps your colon and digestive tract healthy.
  1. In addition, the continuous use of Purified Water gives a protective barrier to your skin that keeps impurities out. So, if you are wondering ‘what kind of water should I use in my steamer?’ using Purified Water is undoubtedly a good idea. 
  1. Purified Water is relatively tastier than other types of water available because of the absence of metallic substances, microbes, and chemicals. Furthermore, it also removes highly toxic metals like copper and lead, which can have serious implications on your health.
  1. Drinking water that has been purified from 99% impurities will also have positive effects on your health. Even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in its guidelines, has set the removal of 90% contaminants as the minimum bar of purity to make public drinking water safe. 

Though safe to drink, it’s recommended that you should also use other types of water because ultrapure water can cause a deficiency of electrolytes. Ultrapure water contains no electrolytes, and its continuous long-term use may cause high blood pressure and other associated problems. 

Potential Downfalls of Purified Water

Though Purified Water is considered among the purest water, it has some downfalls. If you consider Purified Water to be an option, you might be doing something wrong. Purified Water has some issues that you should be aware of before making it a part of your diet. Even being one of the healthy options available, Purified Water also contains certain drawbacks, and they are as follows: –

  1. There are purification systems that remove Fluoride from water in order to achieve the label of the purest water on the market. Fluoride is an essential mineral that prevents tooth decay and promotes dental well-being. The absence of Fluoride can lead to the cavity and other oral problems.
  1. Besides, water purification systems can also be costly for you as they need regular maintenance. One mandatorily needs to change the filters at regular intervals to ensure that the contaminants don’t increase on older filters.
  1. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the purification system won’t be able to remove certain impurities that include some chemicals and pesticides.
  1. Purchasing plastic bottles of Purified Water increases global garbage (especially plastic). So, if you are using Purified Water packed in plastic bottles, you are indirectly harming the environment.
  1. Lastly, purchasing bottles of Purified Water or installing an in-home purification system can be costly and pose an extra burden to your pocket. So, if you are still wondering whether you can drink Purified water, it is suggested to carefully analyze the expenses associated with Purified Water before making up your mind. 

So, this was all about the downfalls of Purified Water. Now, let’s understand what Distilled Water is and the advantages associated with it.

Distilled Water – Quick Intro

If you are wondering, ‘is Distilled Water the same as Purified water,’ you must know that Distilled Water is similar to Purified Water which has taken a step further into purity. It is a type of Purified Water that has been taken directly through the process called distillation. The distillation process is a widely popular and appreciated method of purifying water. It includes boiling water and then collecting steam, which will be reverted to water once cooled. 

The purification process is quite effective in addressing various health issues and eliminating toxins like-

  • Different bacteria and viruses.
  • Several chemicals including Lead, Copper, and Sulphate.
  • Certain protozoa such as Giardia.

Due to its utmost purity, Distilled Water is popularly used in laboratories and medical facilities. However, Purified Water is commonly used for drinking; one can also consume Distilled Water as it is free from all impurities and perfectly fit for drinking. 

Health Benefits of Drinking Distilled Water

With so many benefits, Distilled Water can improve your overall well-being significantly. The health benefits associated with Distilled Water are as follows: –

  1. Water distillation is among the most prevalent methods of removing toxins and impurities from water. Distilled Water is free of hazardous contaminants like bacteria and pesticides, which makes it helpful for people with weak immune systems.
  1. If your residence belongs to a constituency that doesn’t have any particularly strict tap water regulations, Distilled Water can protect you from several diseases.
  1. In addition, Distilled Water tastes far better as it gets rid of Chlorine during the distillation process, which enhances its taste.
  1. People suffering from severe diseases like HIV or cancer are more vulnerable to diseases associated with impure water due to low immunity. Distilled Water can ensure a healthier life for such people by eradicating contaminants and impurities from water. 

The aforementioned benefits of Distilled water make it a good choice for medical usage as well as drinking. Furthermore, let’s discuss the drawbacks of Distilled water.

Potential Downfalls of Distilled Water

Though Distilled Water is the purest water you can find, it doesn’t mean that it’s completely safe either. Distilled Water isn’t the healthiest water, as the distillation process has its own implications. The issues associated with drinking Distilled Water are as follows:- 

  1. During the distillation process, the water also gets rid of electrolytes and natural minerals that promote better health.
  1. Besides, Distilled Water also lacks healthy minerals like Calcium and Magnesium which can place you at a higher risk of heart disease, fractures, and preterm birth.
  1. Moreover, consuming Distilled Water for a prolonged time can lead to cavities because it lacks Fluoride. So drinking Distilled Water regularly means you need to give extra attention to your oral health.
  1. Distilled Water is completely safe for use as long as you maintain a nutritional diet. You can drink Distilled Water only on one condition; you need to ensure that the minerals and electrolytes removed during distillation are consumed through other facets of your diet.

Moving further, let’s discuss the main differences between Distilled Water and Purified Water to get a thorough understanding of their traits.

Distilled VS Purified Water – Key Differences between the Two

Choosing one between Distilled and Purified Water is completely an individual choice, but knowing the difference between the two will help you make an informed decision. The major difference between the two is the method involved in eliminating impurities from the water.

  • The distillation process removes all the impurities and junk from the water, including vital minerals necessary for a healthy body. Meanwhile, that’s not the case with Purified water, as it doesn’t necessarily get rid of all of the healthy minerals found in water.
  • Besides, the process of distilling consumes a lot of energy, thus harming the environment. In contrast, purification methods like reverse osmosis use relatively less energy as compared to distillation.
  • If you want to drink the cleanest water, then Distilled Water is the right choice. But in case you are looking for pure water that is somewhat healthier than Purified Water is the one to trust.
  • Distilled Water is best for people with weak immunity as it’s completely free from all impurities, but prolonged use can lead to a deficiency of electrolytes and healthy minerals. Besides, Purified Water contains some amount of minerals and can promote good digestion, skin, and hair.

In the debate between Distilled Water vs Purified Water, both have unique benefits which make the choice even more difficult. Furthermore, consuming both Distilled and Purified Water is okay if you maintain a healthy diet and outsource the missing electrolytes and minerals through your diet. 

The Comparison Table of Distilled Water VS Purified Water

To give you a more profound understanding of the difference between Distilled and Purified water, the table below summarizes the key features that make them different from each other. This is the face-of-round of the battle between Distilled vs Purified Water and can help in concluding this long discussion.

Key TraitsDistilled WaterPurified Water
Process of CollectionIt is collected from any surface or underground water source.Similar to Distilled Water, it is also sourced from any surface and underground water source.
  ContaminantsWhen the water is changed into vapor form, the impure elements can’t find any solid molecules to cling to, thus it  removes all impurities and healthy minerals.The rigorous filtration method makes the water pollutants and impurities free.
  Treatment MethodsIn the Distillation process the water is boiled until it becomes vapor and then condensed to revert to its liquid state.The treatment methods include reverse osmosis, disinfection, flocculation, etc.
  TastePurified Water is tasteless and has a neutral, bland, and flat taste.Likewise, Distilled Water, Purified Water is tasteless and consists of a neutral, flat, and bland taste.

Mineral Content
It is completely devoid of all minerals and electrolytes due to the distillation process.The multi-level filtration process removes all the minerals and electrolytes, but some minerals may still be present.
RegulationsIt is regulated under the guidelines of the FDA and EPA.Purified Water is also regulated under the guidelines set by the FDA and EPA.

Distilled Water for Babies – Is It Safe for Babies?

In contrast, to the popular notion that Distilled Water is not safe for babies, mixing Distilled Water with baby formula can prevent your little one from diseases associated with contaminated and impure water. Distilled Water for babies is completely fit for use and ensures that your little angel gets pure water free from harmful pollutants and nasty chemicals.

Besides, the baby formula will give the necessary minerals that are missing from the Distilled water. However, you shouldn’t forget to give regular water to your baby once they are off the baby formula.

Is Boiled Water the Same as Distilled Water?

Though boiled water and Distilled Water are involved with the liquid-gas states of H2O, they are completely different because they are treated in two different ways. The main difference between the two is the level of purity. Boiled water is not considered purified. 

Therefore it cannot be used in laboratories and other places where high-purity water is required. Distilled Water is considered among the purest forms of water and is used by medical professionals in laboratories and across a range of industries.

Purified Water VS Distilled Water – Who Wins the Battle?

Purified Water vs Distilled Water is an unending battle because of the benefits and issues associated with them. Both Distilled and Purified Water are regulated by EPA and FDA, which means that they are the purest water found on the market. 

Although there are certain claims that state, Distilled Water completely reduces minerals from living human tissues they are not backed by any scientific proof.

So, both Distilled and Purified Water are safe for use as long as you follow a healthy diet to overcome the deficient minerals and electrolytes. Drinking water is an individual choice, and one can choose any option, from Distilled and Purified Water, based on individual preferences. 

The debate about the supremacy of Distilled and Purified Water will probably rage on forever. Choosing one between the two comes down to personal choice and preferences. 

In case you are suffering from any immunity-related or other severe diseases, you should consult a medical professional regarding the best water for your consumption. 

Besides, don’t forget to remove Distilled Water from your baby’s diet once your child is on solids. It doesn’t matter who wins the battle, if you choose the ideal water that suits your body, you are already in a win-win situation. 

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