Purified, Distilled vs Regular Water: What is the Difference?

Purified, distilled, and tap water can all offer different health benefits and potential downfalls. Here’s what you should know about the differences between these types of water.

Optimal water intake is essential for your health.

Every cell in your body needs water to function properly, which is why you must continuously hydrate throughout the day.

Most people know how important water intake is, but some are confused over the best type of water to drink.

This article investigates the differences between purified, distilled and regular water to find out which one is the best choice for hydration.

What Is Purified Water?

Purified water is water that has been filtered or processed to remove impurities like chemicals and other contaminants.

It is usually produced using groundwater or tap water.

Distilled Water Is a Type of Purified Water

Distilled water has gone through the process of distillation to remove impurities.

Distillation involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which returns to water upon cooling.

This process is very effective at removing contaminants like bacteria, viruses, protozoa like giardia and chemicals like lead and sulfate.

What is mineral water? 

Unlike other types of water  mineral water is bottled at its source and contains natural minerals and other trace elements.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mineral water must have no less than 250 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids — or minerals and trace elements— from the source. Adding minerals during bottling is not allowed.

Regular water

The water that comes out of your faucet is filtered, disinfected and often contains added fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Safety standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced by the town, city or state where you live. So, in general, tap water is good, cheap and safe to drink.