Harm of Demineralised Water : Distilled or low-mineral water hinders mineral absorption, upsets the water metabolism and harms the vital organs

Posted : Dec, 2007

Distilled or low-mineral water hinders mineral absorption, upsets the water metabolism and harms the vital organs

Distilled or demineralised water is harmful to the body in many aspects. It never exists naturally in nature, and it should not be used for regular drinking.

All natural waters contain small amounts of gases, minerals and organic matter of natural origin. But demineralised water is completely or almost completely free of dissolved minerals.

Distilled or demineralised water is highly aggressive, and attacks the water pipes and plumbing system. There are higher risks of heavy metal poisoning in areas supplied with low-mineral water.

Distilled water readily absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, and becomes acidic

Distilled or demineralised water readily absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, and becomes acidic. Acidic water, including soft drinks, is not good for health.

Low-mineral water causes transfer of water from the body cells, red blood cells and tissue fluid into the blood plasma. The kidneys will remove more water through urine. Consumers have higher risks of hypertension and coronary heart diseases. Photo: red blood cells

In light of serious pollution in many water sources, pure distilled water or demineralised water has been touted in a marketing hype as a product good for health. However, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), demineralised water is harmful to the body in many aspects. (WHO 2004 paper – Health Risks From Drinking Demineralised Water)

Demineralised water reduces the water content inside body cells, and increases the excretion of water and minerals through urine. It also upsets the balance of sodium and chloride ions, and hampers the proper functions of cell membranes, many body enzymes and water-dependent hormones. There is zero or very low intake of calcium, magnesium and essential microelements from demineralised water.

Consumers may suffer from tiredness, weakness, headache, muscular cramps and impaired heart rate. Inadequate body water redistribution between various compartments (inside body cells, fluid between body cells, plasma in blood etc.) may compromise the function of vital organs. In severe acute cases, brain oedema, convulsions and metabolic acidosis may occur.

What is demineralised water:

Demineralised water is defined as water completely or almost free of dissolved minerals. The total dissolved solids (TDS) varies, and it can be as low as 1mg per litre. The electrical conductivity is usually less than 2 mS/m, and can be less than 0.1 mS/m.

In contrast, all natural waters, including groundwater or surface water, contain small amounts of gases, minerals and organic matter of natural origin. These dissolved substances give natural waters their characteristic taste. Good quality water may contain such substances in hundreds of mg per litre.

Demineralised water never exists naturally in nature. Common methods used to produce demineralised water include:

1.	Distillation: Water is boiled and evaporated. The vapour is condensed as distilled water.

2.	Membrane filtration via reverse osmosis: Water is forced through membranes to remove minerals and contaminants in the water.

3.	De-ionization by electrolysis

Traditionally, distilled water has been used for laboratory experiments, industrial production of chemicals and solvents, cleaning of equipments, printing and photo processing industries (which require mineral-free water) etc.

However, in the past two decades, there has been a sudden boom of bottled distilled water as drinking water for general consumption. In addition, there are currently more than 11,000 desalination plants in the world, producing more than 6 billion gallons of desalinated water per day.

Properties of demineralised or distilled water:

1.	Highly aggressive

	After the removal of minerals and other dissolved substances, pure water becomes very unstable. The aggressive demineralised water would attack the water distribution pipe and storage tanks, leaching metals and other materials from them. If untreated, its distribution through pipes and storage tanks would be impossible. (Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 1)

	When demineralised or distilled water is ingested, the intestine has to add electrolytes (mineral ions such as potassium and sodium) to this water first. Hence it would take minerals away from the body reserves. As our bodies always eliminate fluid (urine or sweat) together with salts, intake of demineralised or distilled water results in dilution of the electrolytes dissolved in the body water. (Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 2.1)

2.	Acidic

	Theoretically, pure distilled water or demineralised water should be neutral in pH value (i.e. pH 7). However, because of the unstable nature of such water, it will rapidly absorb carbon dioxide in the air, making the water acidic, hence more corrosive to pipes and storage tanks. Freshly distilled water may reach an acidic pH as low as 5.5 in a very short time. Acidic water is not a healthy choice for drinking.

3.	Poor taste characteristics

	Based on a study report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1980, low-minerals water with a TDS of 25-50 mg/l was described as tasteless. (Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 3)

4.	Less thirst quenching (Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 2.1)

	Demineralised or distilled water is less thirst quenching than water rich in minerals. This property may affect the amount of water consumed, and induce consumers to turn to other less satisfactory water sources or beverages (e.g. soft drinks, carbonated water, tea, coffee etc.)

Drinking distilled or demineralised water results in higher health care costs

Distilled or demineralised water will affect the functions of brain cells and signal transmission in the nervous system. Photo: brain cells

Low mineral water is harmful to the blood formation process in the bone marrow. Photo: bone marrow

Both calcium and magnesium are important for contraction of muscles, including those in the heart and around blood vessels. Photo: smooth muscle cells

Low-mineral water used for irrigation is harmful to crops. Tomatoes, basil and certain species of flower are particularly susceptible.

Summary of the harmful effects of demineralised or distilled water
(Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 2)

Harmful effects of demineralised water

Symptoms / Consequences

1.	Upset the balance of minerals and water content in the body. Negatively affect the metabolic equilibrium of the body in general.

	Reduce water content inside body cells, while increasing water level in the extra-cellular fluid and blood plasma.

	More loss of minerals through urine, including sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium ions.

	Negatively affect the functional activity of some hormones that are dependent on proper body water management.

	Increase diuresis (i.e. increases the volume and frequency of urination) almost by 20%.

	Mild cases: tiredness, weakness, headache

	More severe cases: muscular cramps, impaired heart rate

	Severe acute damage in water intoxication (hyponatremic shock) or delirium (i.e mental confusion) : brain oedema, convulsions, metabolic acidosis

2.	Zero or very low intake of calcium and magnesium from the low-mineral water.

Low calcium intake from water:

	Enhanced decalcification of bone tissue

	Reduced plasma concentrations of calcium and phosphorus

	Higher risks of bone fracture in children and certain neurodegenerative diseases

	Pre-term birth and low birth weight

Low magnesium intake from water:

	Decreased activity of certain enzymes (e.g. alkaline phosphatase)

	Increased morbidity (rate of diseases)

	Increased mortality (death rate) from cardiovascular diseases

	Higher risks of neuronal (ie. nerve cell) diseases

	Pregnancy disorders (e.g. preeclampsia, i.e. high blood pressure and presence of protein in urine)

	More prone to some types of cancer

3.	Zero or very low intake of other essential elements and microelements that are normally present in natural water sources.

	In laboratory rats, this would result in much lower levels of microelements in muscular tissue

	Have negative effect on the blood formation process.

4.	High loss of calcium, magnesium and other essential elements in food prepared with low-mineral water.

Result in marked deficiency in total intake of minerals and some essential elements:

	Up to 60% for magnesium and calcium

	Even more for other microelements (e.g. 66% for copper, 70% for manganese, 86% for cobalt)

5.	Increased risks of toxic metals or other substances leached from the water pipe, storage tank or water container.

Higher risks of chemical poisoning and heavy metal poisoning (e.g. lead poisoning).

Research on harmful effects of low-mineral water to human populations and to crops

In recent epidemiological studies among Russian populations, those supplied with low-mineral water suffered from higher risks of hypertension, coronary heart diseases, gastric and duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis, goiter, pregnancy complications, and several types of complications in newborns and infants (including jaundice, anemia, fractures and growth disorders). (Source: Note 1; WHO 2004 paper - section 2.3)

Similar results were found in another epidemiological study in the Ust-llim region of Russia conducted in 1992. People in two areas were supplied with either low-mineral or high-mineral water. This study focused on the morbidity (rate of diseases) and physical development of 7,658 adults, 562 children, 1,582 pregnant women and their newborns. (More detail: Note 2; WHO 2004 paper - section 2.3)

Researchers in Israel discovered that low-mineral water used for agricultural irrigation is harmful to crops. Insufficient calcium results in physiological defects, while magnesium shortage damages plant development. The harmful effects to crops such as tomatoes, basil and certain species of flower are particularly significant. Israel is a world pioneer in using desalinated water in farming. (Related News: Nov 6, 2007)

Water molecules exist in structured clusters in human bodies

Water plays an important role in communication between body cells. The water molecules within living cells are arranged in highly structured clusters of various intermolecular conformations.

The core of the DNA double helix contains a column of water clusters

The core of the DNA double helix of each cell contains a column of water clusters.

Drinking water should contain calcium, magnesium and other essential microelements

Using distilled or demineralised water to prepare food will result in substantial loss of nutrients.

Why body water management is critical to health
: Important role of water in cell communications

Water is the universal medium for all biological activity. Nearly two-thirds of the human body and one-half of each of our organs are made up of water by volume. This amounts to around 10 gallons of water in an adult.

The water within living cells is highly structured, arranged in various intermolecular conformations held together by extensive hydrogen bonding networks. The structuring of cellular water is critical to the healthy chemical functioning of the cell.

The cells of the human body communicate with one another by sending and receiving electromagnetic signals. This signal transduction was facilitated by the clustered or "ringed" water that is present in the cells of all living things. (Source and more info )

For example, the DNA in each human cell is constantly transmitting information at lightening speed via resonant frequencies. Interestingly, the core of each DNA double helix is a column of water clusters. In addition, copious amount of water is organized in multiple layers at the surface of intracellular structural proteins and membranes.

As water plays an active role in cell communication, any upset of water balance inside and outside the body cells will affect thousands of metabolic functions, as well as the equilibrium health of body tissues and organs.

Importance of calcium and magnesium in cell communications and biochemical reactions

Calcium is an important component of bones and teeth. Calcium also plays an important role in the transmission of information (electro-chemical signals) within body cells, contraction of the heart and other muscles, coagulation of blood etc.

Magnesium acts as a cofactor and activator of more than 300 enzymatic reactions in our body. These include transportation of important electrolytes (e.g. sodium, potassium, calcium) through membranes, conversion of body sugar into energy form (ie. glycolysis and ATP metabolism), synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, neuromuscular excitability and muscle contraction.

Why it is important to drink water that contains other essential elements and microelements

Natural water sources usually contain small quantities of some essential elements and micro-elements, including copper, manganese, cobalt, iodide, molybdenum and zinc etc. The essential elements and micro-elements in water usually exist as free ions. Therefore they are more easily absorbed from water compared to food, where they are mostly bound to other substances.

Since the modern diet quite often do not provide adequate minerals and microelements, the lack of such elements in drinking water may have a significant impact on health. Previous studies with rats showed that a variation in the intake of microelements from drinking water was associated with up to 6-fold differences in their content in muscular tissue. (Source: WHO 2004 paper - section 2.3)

Some brands of bottled water are produced by demineralising fresh water (e.g. by distillation or reverse osmosis), and then add back certain minerals for desirable taste. However, such water may still lack other essential elements and micro-elements that are normally present in natural water sources.

Glacial water contains low mineral content

Mountain climbers who prepare their drinks with melted snow may experience acute water intoxication, triggered by rapid intake of a lot of low-mineral water after intense physical exercise.

It is dangerous to prepare milk or drinks for infants with distilled or demineralised water. Severe acute water intoxication may occur.

Danger of using low-mineral or distilled water to prepare food

When demineralised or distilled water is used for cooking food, it will result in substantial losses of all essential elements from food (e.g. vegetables, meat and cereals). For examples, up to 60% loss for magnesium and calcium, 66% for copper, 70% for manganese, and 86% for cobalt. (Source: Note 3; WHO 2004 paper section 2.4)

Since most nutrients are absorbed from food, regular use of demineralised or distilled water for cooking may be detrimental because of marked deficiency in certain essential elements.

Danger of acute water intoxication by demineralised or distilled water

Consumers who drink demineralised or distilled water regularly may experience progressive negative impact on health, possibly without any noticeable symptoms over the years. But severe acute damages of water intoxication (also called hyponatremic shock) or delirium (i.e mental confusion) may occur following intense physical efforts and rapid intake of several litres of low-mineral water, e.g. mountain climbers who prepare their drinks with melted snow. (Source: Note 4, WHO 2004 paper section 2.1)

Several cases of acute water intoxication were reported in infants whose drinks were prepared with distilled or low-mineral bottled water. The symptoms included brain oedema, convulsions and metabolic acidosis. (Source: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, 1994)

(Remark: Metabolic acidosis is a medical problem due to disturbance in the body's acid-base balance. This leads to excessive acidity of the blood (with pH value less than 7.35). Severe metabolic acidosis may lead to coma or death. In some situations, metabolic acidosis can be a mild, chronic condition, with symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle weakness and bone pains etc.)

The mineral content of bottled water and water filtration system should be regulated to protect public health

Use reusable water bottles to bring filtered tap water to school or to work. It is good for health, cost saving and environmental friendly.

Distilled water, Demineralised water and related water treatment systems
- Unregulated problematic products that result in huge health care costs

In the past three decades, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had issued a number of publications on the health risks of demineralised water (Note 5). The German Society for Nutrition also warned the public against drinking distilled water. (Note 6, 1999)

However, despite the seriously of the long term harm of drinking demineralised or distilled water, and the large number of population affected, no country has issued any regulation to prevent the sale or marketing of demineralised / distilled water and related water treatment systems intended for regular consumption.

Nor is there any regulation on labeling of the bottled distilled water to warn the public against the potential health risks, especially if used for cooking food or preparing infant drinks. Only a few EU member states have included calcium, magnesium or water hardness into their national regulations of tap water supplies as a binding requirement. But these regulations do not cover the bottled drinking water for sale, or water filtration systems.

As water contributes to over 60% of the body mass by volume, regular intake of grossly inferior demineralised or distilled water will have significant negative impact on health, hence creating a much heavier burden on the health care costs.

To protect the general public from the pertinent harm, it is impertinent to review the policies and regulations on demineralised water for regular consumption.

Water in nature tastes better and is more thirst-quenching than distilled or demineralised water. That's what all other living creatures on earth drink.

Stop drinking distilled or demineralised water

For your own health, stop drinking distilled or demineralised water. If you are living in a region of the world where tap water from natural water sources is readily available, a much better alternative is to take water from the tap. An effective water filtration system can be installed at home or in the office to remove chlorine, heavy metals and other major contaminants from the tap water.

If a water filtration system is not available in your office, simply use a reusable water bottle to take some water from home. It will also drastically reduce the enormous amount of plastic waste from packaging bottled water that goes to the landfill each year.

Just a small change in habit will make a big difference - to your health, your wallet, and the environment.

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