Distilled Water vs. Filtered Water: Is There a Difference?

Did you know that drinking dirty water may make you susceptible to a wide range of illnesses? These can include diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and even polio.

There are roughly 485,000 fatalities a year attributed to diarrhea caused by contaminated drinking water.

In order for water to be suitable for drinking, household usage, the production of food, and recreational activities, it must be clean. And, it should be easily available. This brings us to the distilled water vs filtered water debate.

Keep on reading for our full breakdown of the differences and similarities between distilled and filtered water. 

Distilled Water vs Filtered Water: Understanding Distilled Water

Back in the year 200 AD, Alexander of Aphrodisia was one of the pioneers who successfully desalinized seawater using the process of distillation.

Using a double distillation method ensures the maximum possible degree of purity. There is a school of thought among some researchers that important minerals are lost in the process.

Nearly all water has trace amounts of pollutants, including the following:

• Minerals
• Contaminants
• Nutrients

The distillation process uses boiling water and evaporation to get rid of these contaminants. Some people complain that it has an uninteresting flavor since it does not contain the following items.

• Metals
• Other inorganic compounds
• Healthy minerals

The sole difference between distillation water and other types of purified water is in the purification process. The distillation process is an ancient one. It involves first bringing water to the point where it is boiling.

The water gradually evaporates when you heat it up. And, this process causes it to rise into coiled metal tubes.

While traveling through the tubes, the vapor condenses and eventually becomes water. Then, you can reroute it for collection. Because you eliminate bacteria and other microbes during the boiling process, the resulting water is of the highest possible purity.

Minerals and other things in the source liquid that are too heavy to ascend with the vapor. So, they remain behind when evaporation occurs because they cannot float away with the vapor. If you’ve been looking for “distilled water near me,” this article explains why there seems to be a shortage in distilled water.

The Process of Elimination: The Removed Ingredients

The following types of impurities are not present in distilled water since the distillation process removes them.

Let’s take them one category at a time. 

Microorganisms

The only method of purification that totally eliminates the presence of germs is distillation.

Certain parasites, like Cryptosporidium, may cause illness even in healthy individuals. It’s a significant advantage for anybody whose immune system is weak. Cryptosporidium is resistant to the effects of chlorine. And, it has the potential to be fatal for those who have compromised immune systems.

Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that these kinds of people drink only distilled water. 

Chlorine

The processing of municipal water supplies often results in the presence of chlorine. It’s a chemical that has the potential to alter the flavor of the water.

People who are very sensitive to the smell and taste of chlorine could find that they prefer the taste and smell of water that has been distilled. After all, this process eliminates chlorine from the water.

What Exactly Does “Filtered Water” Mean?

There are a number of distinct approaches that may be used while filtering water. One of the most efficient ways to remove impurities from water is via the use of micron filters.

It includes utilizing a filtering medium that has tiny pores, which enables it to block any matter bigger than the size of those holes, some of which are poisons and other dangerous compounds. This allows the medium to filter out anything that is larger than the size of those holes.

If it has a ratio of fewer than 10 contaminants per million parts of water, then water that has been very thoroughly filtered may be considered “purified.”

When contrasted to distilled water, purified water has the benefit of preserving the original level of dissolved oxygen in the source liquid. This is not the case with distilled water. When you drink it straight or boil it to make coffee or tea, it loses some of its vitality; but, when you do this, it takes on a new lease of life.

The following is a list of popular filtering processes that may remove minerals and pollutants that aren’t wanted:

Reverse Osmosis

In this technique, enormous pressure is used to force the water through a filter that is very fine.

This filter gets rid of a wide variety of substances, including pollutants and germs that are hazardous to the environment.

Water Softeners

These ion-exchange systems, which may be based on either salt or potassium, are excellent for eliminating abrasive minerals such as calcium.

These minerals are to blame for the building of limescale in your house, and they may also contribute to the accumulation of minerals in the body. As a consequence of this, water softeners are an excellent option for those who want to make their appliances last longer.

Water Filters

These filters provide the same purpose as reverse osmosis systems, but they employ wider holes that allow water to flow through with a lower pressure need.

The removal of bacteria and other potentially harmful substances from the water supply is the major objective of water filters. Even though they are efficient, they often are not able to eliminate all of the minerals and pollutants found in water.

This is an effective technique for sterilizing naturally pure spring water so that it may be consumed without risk. The function and quality of filters may vary, and the quality of the water coming out of your tap might influence the degree of filtering that you need.

Is Distilled Water Best: Understanding the Nuances

Have you decided whether you like water that has been distilled or water that has been filtered? The bottom line is that everyone has to have access to clean drinking water in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Even though the majority of municipal drinking water sources are subject to stringent controls and are safe for use, many people still choose to filter their water for added peace of mind. Hopefully, our distilled water vs filtered water breakdown has helped you understand the differences between the two. 

Next, you should check out our lifestyle section for more tips and advice on how to live a healthy and fulfilling life. 

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