“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” This famous quote from The Ryme of the Ancient Mariner depicts the terrible irony of being stranded at sea, surrounded by water, while starving of thirst. Although the Earth is made up of 70% water, only a small percentage of that water is fit for human consumption. This problem is often solved using water distillation. However, there is some debate on whether or not distilled water is safe.
So, what exactly is distilled water? The distillation process involves boiling impure water, which converts the water into vapor. As the water turns to vapor, all impurities are left behind. The pure vapor is condensed and collected and is known as distilled water. Distilled water is considered to be the purest form of water because it contains little to no contaminants. It is used for a variety of purposes. Some machinery requires the use of distilled water for the equipment to function properly. It is also used in batteries, and skin care products. Distilled water is also commonly used as a drinking water source.
Distilled water is used by most food and beverage manufacturing companies due to its purity and is also bottled and sold in supermarkets as drinking water. Distilled water is particularly useful in areas where clean drinking water sources are limited, or not safe for human consumption. Additionally, it is recommended that those who make baby food at home use distilled water to keep the baby food free of contaminants. It is said by many that distilled water is the safest form of drinking water, and that it contains added health benefits that other forms of drinking water does not. However, this idea has been debated.
There are some benefits to drinking distilled water which cannot be denied. For starters, the process if distilling water leaves behind harmful impurities and solids that may be found in the un-clean water. Research also shows that drinking distilled water can help remove toxins from the body. The pH of distilled water allows the water to absorb any metals it comes in contact with, so frequent use of distilled water in cooking and for drinking can pose some health risks.
There are undeniable uses and benefits of distilled water. It keeps machines running smoothly and allows for the production pure products. When living in conditions where clean, drinkable water is limited, distilled water can be a life saver.
