Distilled water is the overachiever of the water world. It’s made by boiling water into steam, then condensing that steam back into liquid. Think of it as water’s extreme makeover—the heat kills bacteria, viruses, and even heavy metals, leaving only pure H₂O.
But here’s the catch: distillation doesn’t just remove the bad stuff; it also strips out essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. You know, the ones your tap water brags about on the label. So if you drink only distilled water, you’re basically hydrating with a blank slate—no flavor, no minerals, just… emptiness.
Side note: That’s why my grandpa used distilled water in his iron. He said it “kept the demons out.” I think he meant mineral deposits, but I’m not sure.
And purified water? How’s that different?
Purified water is a broader category—it’s any water that has been physically filtered to remove impurities. That includes distillation, but also reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, and UV treatment. Fancy, right?
The key is that purified water might still contain some minerals, depending on the method. Reverse osmosis, for example, leaves a tiny bit of natural goodness behind. So it’s less “extreme makeover” and more “good deep clean with a conditioner.”
Here’s where it gets ironic: your bottled “purified water” from the store is often just tap water that’s been re-filtered. Yes, you’re paying $2 for water that came from someone’s sink. Don’t look at me like that—I’ve done it too.
