When visiting with my clients, I find that several of them have a routine habit of drinking distilled water. In fact, one of my favorite herbalists, Dr. Christopher, recommends drinking only distilled water. But are there really benefits to drinking distilled water?
What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is formed by boiling regular tap or spring water until it evaporates and then collecting the steam. The process of boiling and evaporation removes the ‘impurities’. The result is a water that is acidic and devoid of minerals, including important electrolytes necessary for cell-to-cell communication.
How does the Body Respond?
When we consume distilled water, the acidy causes the body to being the process of bone remodeling that I talked about in my article, ‘Osteoblasts, Osteoclasts, and Apple Pie‘, in order to bring calcium into the blood so blood pH can increase. The body also pulls other minerals from the tissues to add to the water so it can be used to eliminate waste and assist the body in functioning properly.
Are there Benefits?
For short periods of detoxification, there may be benefits to drinking distilled water because it also pulls heavy metals from the body. During these times, replacing good minerals by eating a mineral-rich diet and possibly supplementation should be a priority so as not to deplete the body of minerals.
What about Long Term Use?
Some will argue that detoxification is a daily endeavor and that our daily diet should naturally replace the minerals that the body pulls when drinking distilled water.
However, the sad fact is that most diets don’t provide the body with sufficient high quality minerals and electrolytes, and are too acidic. Adding the burden of long-term consumption of distilled water can, for these individuals, increase the risk of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure.
