Would you ever drink a glass of water that is as clear as the sky? Literally, no minerals, no salt, and no hint of anything else in it.
Pure water is typically achieved by distilling it, using reverse osmosis, or special water filters. At first, it may look like the most harmless drink for the human body.
Pure water sounds safe. Most people even believe that the less water there is, the better it is for them. Is this true, though? Honestly, I used to think that too. Not until I started reading up on what actually happens when you drink it every day.
What will happen if you consume water that's been drained of all the things that the body may require?
Would it be beneficial, or would it have some unseen risks?
To answer these questions, this article will look at what science and health professionals have to say.
Understanding Water Purity
What is it then if you drink pure water?
The point here is to understand what "pure" actually is.
Pure water is water that consists of nothing other than H₂O molecules. As mentioned above, pure water can be created by numerous processes. This includes your usual distillation, reverse osmosis, deionization, or high filtration.
All of these methods sift out contaminants, minerals, and other substances from regular water.
For example, distillation utilizes heat to vaporize water into steam. After which, it transforms it back into liquid. But here's the catch: everything, including all the salts, dirt, bacteria, and chemicals, is practically removed.
Reverse osmosis pushes water through a special filter that denies entrance to even very tiny particles and organic material. That's how it "filters" out the particles.
Ultraviolet light can also be utilized to kill other bacteria or viruses as part of the filtration process. This level of purification produces the so-called ultra-pure water or pure water.
Ultra pure water has no calcium, magnesium, chlorine, lead, or other naturally occurring minerals and chemicals that are present in drinking water.
People normally compare the use of pure water to the use of natural water from streams or springs. But honestly? You can never compare the two. Why? From my own experience, spring water always tastes fuller while pure distilled water feels flat.
Natural water is always going to contain organic minerals and other dissolved nutrients, but ultra-pure water does not.
Tap water, filtered water, or bottled water will always have some mineral content in average drinking water.
Now, let's get into the two minerals present in typical drinking water. These are calcium and magnesium.
Both are good minerals because they both make considerable contributions to muscle contraction, bone structure, and cardiovascular function. You know it.
They even contain trace levels of potassium, sodium, and iron minerals in bottled water and tap water. This is what makes the taste different from ordinary water. The key difference is primarily the dissolved minerals. Plus, it also gives your body electrolytes.
Purified water and ultra-pure water, therefore, may not have any contaminants, but they do not contain natural nutrients. This is what your body should IDEALLY (yes, ideally) get from normal water.
How the Body Uses Water
The body requires water to function. I guess it's obvious and given, but I want to put it out here.
It is dependent on all cells, tissues, and organs. Water intake makes it possible for the nutrients to move through the bloodstream. Likewise, it aids in digestion. Lubricates the joints. And allows contraction in muscles.
Water also regulates body temperature. Notice how you become thirstier during warmer weather or even when exercising. Without water, the body will quickly get weak and tired. We've all been there, right?
You not only quench thirst by drinking distilled water or filtered water. Honestly, your body is also begging for the necessary minerals in a water-soluble form.
Again, calcium and magnesium are present everywhere in tap drinking water, bottled water, and natural water.
But they aren't just any nutrients. They are indispensable nutrients that cannot be synthesized by the body. In short, you only get them by intake.
These organic minerals play a part in bone strength, conduction of nerve impulses, and heart function.
Magnesium, for example, helps in contracting muscles and also in preventing heart disease. Calcium plays a very important role in blood clotting and the construction of bones.
Water also carries electrolytes. We've already talked about this above.
Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride are key electrolytes that keep fluidity in both inside and outside cells within the body.
Without this balance, nerves will not be able to transmit signals, and muscles will not contract without grittiness.
Water with nothing in it, in massive quantities, can disrupt this very fine balance. If only pure water is taken, the body will lose electrolytes at a higher rate.
But don't take it just from me. The World Health Organization has also stated that minerals in drinking water play a role in overall health. Although food is the largest provider of nutrients required, water can also chip in.
That is, water also provides a constant amount of trace minerals, which enable an individual to live healthily.
Long-term use of mineral-free water may impact individuals with health problems. If you have heart disease-related traits such as coronary artery disease or colon and rectal cancer, it's better to be safe than sorry.
This is to say that water is not merely hydration. It also provides the body with small but vital nutrients to keep one healthy, energized, and in proper working condition.
What Happens When You Drink Pure Water
So what do you do to yourself when you drink pure water every day?
The answer depends on the quantity you drink and how long you have been taking it.
When you drink ultra-pure water, i.e., water with no minerals or salts, the body reacts in a very precise way. Pure H₂O reacts differently from ordinary water.
Since it has no dissolved solids, it will dilute the blood's electrolytes. I noticed that when I drank distilled water for several days straight. I actually started craving something because my body needed those missing minerals.
This is especially true if taken in excess quantities. This will reduce sodium and other essential electrolytes that help maintain the body's balance.
But honestly, even if you do drink distilled water or purified water for some period, you don't really get sick right away. Your body does wonders, that's why.
The kidneys can metabolize it. In effect, the body won't find anything substantially different. So, what's the problem, then?
The problem arises with long-term use of pure water alone. Mineral lack indicates that the body is lacking valuable minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Muscle contracting, bone maintenance, and heart functioning need these minerals. In the long term, drinking pure water alone may silently disturb mineral balance within the body.
Another effect of consuming ultra-pure water, although on the shallower side, is that it tastes bland in relation to tap water. Well, it's not really rocket science. Natural water contains mineral content that provides it with taste.
Actually, there are people who utilize filtered water or bottled water over distilled water for this very reason. So, yes, maybe it's not that shallow at all. Taste matters!
Again, consumption of ultra-pure water for a short period has minimal effect on health. But if it is replaced with regular water for a prolonged period, it reduces the body's required nutrients. Yes, it can be very risky for our growing bodies.
Potential Risks
Hypothermia
The biggest medical risk is hyponatremia, which is a condition where the body's sodium concentration in the blood is below normal.
Diluted Blood
Where one consumes more water than the body can metabolize, particularly ultra-pure water with no minerals, then the blood is diluted.
Brain Damage
It has a brain function effect and even leads to brain damage when used excessively. Its symptoms include headache, confusion, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures.
Of course, that’s in extreme cases. But still, it shows how sensitive the body really is to balance.
Blood Sodium Dips
The most vulnerable among them are sportspersons. When the body loses massive amounts of sweat, the body also loses sodium and electrolytes.
If the individual later consumes ultra-pure water or large amounts of distilled water rather than fluids rich in electrolytes, the blood sodium dips very rapidly.
This leads to an imbalance and disruption of muscle contraction, nerve impulses, and general health.
High Cardiovascular Disease Risk
People with certain medical conditions also need to be cautious. They would perhaps have difficulty coping with the stress of flushing out such vast quantities of mineral-free water.
Mineral-free consumption over the long term can result in high cardiovascular disease risk or aggravate conditions such as coronary artery disease.
There is research that has identified some possible links between low consumption of mineral water and elevated risks of colorectal cancer.
Although the evidence remains questionable, it would imply that drinking pure water long-term is not the healthiest habit to cultivate.
Poisonous Chemicals
Another problem is that ultra-pure water is too aggressive in stripping containers of toxins.
It will then more likely absorb chemicals or other poisons quicker than normal water when placed in plastic or metal containers.
Rather than being healthy for your body, you could be exposed to poisonous chemicals.
Tap water, filtered water, and bottled water with an equivalent proportion of minerals is healthier for most people to drink.
Are There Actual Benefits to Pure Water?
So, you must be curious, is there anything to gain from the use of pure water? That's actually a great question!
Ultra-pure water is definitely worth having for some purposes. In the laboratory, hospital, and industry, totally pure water is normally a necessity.
It amazes me to think the same water I wouldn’t drink every day is the gold standard in labs and hospitals. In short, context really matters.
Medical equipment that sterilizes using steam requires mineral-free water to prevent residual minerals.
Ultra pure water eliminates contaminants that would ruin delicate components in the production of electronics. Purification is useful and even required in such applications.
Drinking purified water can be useful in areas where the quality of water is very poor.
If tap water at home is contaminated with bacteria, chlorine, or poisonous chemicals, purified water will be safe for drinking. Reverse osmosis, distillation, ultraviolet light, and numerous other processes can remove contaminants and destroy bacteria.
In emergency situations, being able to drink purified water saves lives and spares people from illness.
Pure water, however, is no healthier than filtered water or naturally mineralized water in terms of daily drinking water consumption.
To reiterate, it's good for thirst, but it's poor in nutrients. You can get so much more from drinking water, whether consumed daily or bottled. So, that's a caveat right there!
Other people also say that it will taste better if it contains minerals in the shape of tap water or bottled water.
The minerals give some flavor, and it is more convenient to drink a good amount of water during the day. Again, taste is sometimes king!
Ultra-pure water is not at all flavorful, which may limit the amount of water one would drink in total. But since proper hydration is so crucial to peak health, it is something worth considering.
Drinking distilled water has some benefits under certain circumstances, namely in water quality. For drinking on a daily basis, though, filtered water or mineral water is better. And that's not just something I recklessly claim, it's backed by science and authorities.
What Do Health Authorities Say?
So, here's the basis.
The World Health Organization researched the health impact of drinking water for many decades.
Its reports confirm that safe water not only has to be free of pathogens but also should contain some amount of required minerals.
Therefore, demineralized water cannot be consumed in the long term. Well, ideally, that is.
Calcium and magnesium reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and promote bone strength. The WHO continued to assert that populations with low intakes of mineral water may contribute to increased risks for several health conditions.
But it's not just the WHO. The US Environmental Protection Agency also controls standards of clean drinking water. While the intent is primarily to screen out objectionable substances like lead, chlorine, bacteria, and other chemicals, the EPA also recognizes that minerals are part of water quality.
Hygienic water is not distilled water. Rather, it is to screen out objectionable particles and retain good minerals. The WHO from all parts of the globe recommends filtered water or naturally mineral-bearing bottled water.
They recommend against the use of distilled water or ultra-pure water without any other additives for a prolonged period. Even some organizations recommend that pure water can upset the electrolyte balance if taken in large amounts.
At the bottom of all these, the suggestions are easy. And the authorities have been upfront about it, too. Regular quality tap water or filtered water that maintains minerals is better than consuming ultra-pure water daily.
Safe Alternatives
Since asking what happens when you drink pure water is risky, it is wise to consider less risky alternatives. The good news is that there are many other alternative methods whereby you can give your body a boost of water in a healthy manner.
Filtered Water
Filtered water is one of the finest options. A good water filter eliminates impurities like chlorine, lead, dust, and bacteria from the water without stripping it of good minerals.
The end product is pure water that is safe to drink but still contains calcium, magnesium, and other essential nutrients. Filtered water tends to be healthier to drink than water drawn directly from the tap, and thus individuals will be ready to drink larger quantities of water on a daily basis.
Bottled Water
Bottled water is another alternative. Bottled water contains natural spring water minerals in most packaged water. The water contributes electrolytes and increases hydration.
Mineral content declaration and water purity in bottled water should not be overlooked. Bottled water is convenient but expensive and less environmentally friendly than tap-filtered water.
★ Berkey ★
For the individual who requires a long-term solution, a great system such as Berkey is convenient.
Berkey removes impurities such as chemicals, bacteria, and other impurities, but not the essential minerals required by the body.
It’s perfect if you want clean, safe water, but don’t want to risk relying on pure distilled water every single day.
Tap water is safe to consume in most places if it is up to national standards.
And honestly, tap water will suffice for daily demands and tends to be rich in minerals, but varies by geographic location as far as taste.
The secret is balance. Purified water, filtered water, or bottled water, whichever is best, is one that neither removes the impurities nor the nutrients.
Pick wisely to make sure you're well hydrated without harming long-term health and well-being.
Tips for Healthy Hydration
The truth is, seeing what happens when you consume pure water is only half the story.
The other half is applying healthy hydration to your daily life.
The majority of adults need adequate water intake to keep their bodies adequately hydrated. You might have to consider these three: activity level, climate, and medical condition.
Thirst is a natural indicator. It's a very human thing to feel. But still, it's better to aim for a certain quantity of glasses of clean water per day just to be sure.
Select water that has been filtered from a healthy process. Filtered water, mineral bottled water, or safe drinking tap water are healthy choices.
All these kinds of water eliminate unhealthy impurities such as chemicals, chlorine, and bacteria without depriving the body of healthy minerals, promoting well-being.
But please, don't survive on distilled water or ultra-pure water for an extended duration.
Although purified water is safe to consume in small quantities, the body functions improve when water contains electrolytes and nutrients.
Even more so if, after exercise or sweaty activities, there is a need to replace the electrolytes using mineral water or food with high salt content.
Again, store water safely. Clean water, too, can become unsafe water if stored in dirty containers.
Remember that stainless steel or glass containers are safer than plastic containers that can leach chemicals.
Finally, bear in mind that water complements food.
Fruits, vegetables, and diet food supplement water and minerals. You don't have to rely on it ALL on water drinking!