Purified water is water that has had most impurities and harmful substances removed. It is generally considered safer to drink, so purified water itself does not harm health.

However, drinking only purified water for a long time may have potential health problems, mainly because it lacks minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which are beneficial to the human body. Long-term lack of these minerals may affect the balance of electrolytes in the body and cause health problems.

So while we drink the available water, we should also pay attention to adding beneficial minerals to our bodies to keep our bodies in a balanced and healthy state. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of purified water and select suggestions to help you make a more informed choice.

What Is Purified Water? How Is It Made?

What is purified water? Purified water has been filtered or treated to remove contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chlorine, and other impurities. There are a variety of ways to purify water, each with its advantages and limitations. Some of the most common methods include:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO): This process forces water through a semipermeable membrane, filtering out contaminants such as minerals, chemicals, and microorganisms. It is one of the most popular and effective methods for purifying drinking water.
• Distillation: Water is boiled to produce steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form, leaving behind impurities such as salts, minerals, and heavy metals.
• Activated Carbon Filtration: This method uses activated carbon to absorb impurities, especially chemicals such as chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improving the taste and odor of the water.
• UV Sterilization: Ultraviolet rays are used to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. However, UV purification cannot remove chemical contaminants.

While these methods can effectively purify water, the end product—purified water—can be very different from the water we typically drink from natural sources.

Benefits of Purified Water

Is purified water good for you? When it comes to ensuring that water is safe and clean, what are the benefits of purified water:

1. Safety and Cleanliness

Purified water is free of harmful contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chlorine, and other pollutants. This makes it an excellent choice for areas where the water source may be contaminated or unreliable. It provides a reliable, clean source of drinking water, especially for those who are susceptible to waterborne diseases or have weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women or young children.

2. Removal of Harmful Contaminants

One of the biggest advantages of purified water is its ability to remove potentially dangerous chemicals and contaminants. For example, reverse osmosis filters can effectively remove chlorine, fluoride, and lead, while distillation can remove most dissolved solids. By removing these harmful substances, purified water provides peace of mind for those concerned about water quality.

3. Improved Taste and Odor

Purified water, especially water that has been filtered through activated carbon, can remove the odors and tastes caused by chlorine and other chemicals, making it taste fresher and more pleasant. This is an attractive option for people who don't like the taste of tap water.

4. Convenience and Accessibility

With a home filtration system or portable water purifier, purified water is conveniently available at all times. This eliminates the need to purchase bottled water, saving both money and effort. Additionally, it helps reduce the impact of plastic waste on the environment, as fewer disposable water bottles are needed.

Potential Disadvantages of Purified Water

Despite the many benefits of purified water, there are some potential disadvantages, especially if you drink it as your primary water source for a long time:

1. Lack of Essential Minerals

One of the main issues with purified water (especially water that has been processed by reverse osmosis or distillation) is that it tends to strip away essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. While this is great for removing harmful contaminants, it also means that purified water is virtually “without” minerals that are beneficial to the body. These minerals play a key role in bone health, heart function, and electrolyte balance.

Over time, if you rely solely on purified water and do not obtain these minerals through other dietary sources, you may develop a mineral imbalance or deficiency. For example, magnesium is important for muscle function and nerve transmission, while calcium is also very important for bone health.

2. Bland Taste

Many people find purified water's taste bland or “boring” because it lacks the minerals that are characteristic of natural water. If you are used to drinking mineral-rich tap or spring water, you may find purified water tastes unpleasant, which may prevent you from drinking enough water throughout the day.

3. Effects on Electrolyte Balance

Drinking water that lacks essential minerals can affect your body’s electrolyte balance over time. Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, help regulate a variety of body functions, including fluid balance and nerve signaling.

While drinking plain, non-mineralized water generally has little effect on most people, athletes or those active in hot climates may find that they need to replenish their mineral-rich fluids to maintain balance.

How to Choose the Drinking Water that Suits You?

Faced with the pros and cons of purified water, you should choose the right type of drinking water according to your needs. Here are a few considerations:

1. Water Source Quality

If the water quality in your area is seriously polluted, purified water is undoubtedly the safest choice. It can effectively remove bacteria, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals in the water.

2 . Personal Health Status

• For healthy people, drinking mineral water (such as mineral water or filtered water) in moderation may be more suitable.
• For some groups that need to strictly control mineral intake (such as kidney patients), purified water may be a more suitable choice.

3. Water Intake and Drinking Scenarios

• If you only drink water occasionally, purified water will not be a big problem.
• If you drink a lot of water every day, it is recommended to choose a mineral-containing water source in moderation to avoid insufficient mineral intake.

How to Optimize the Quality of Drinking Water?

In addition to choosing a suitable water source, using an efficient water filter is also a good way to optimize the quality of drinking water. TOKIT water filters, such as its T1 Akuapure RO system water filter, can provide a solution that is both safe and nutritious. It removes pollutants from water through reverse osmosis technology while retaining minerals that are beneficial to the body, ensuring that the water is clean and healthy.

Features of TOKIT Water Filters:

Efficient removal of pollutants: Using multiple filtration technologies, effectively removes harmful substances such as heavy metals, bacteria, and chlorine from water.

Retaining minerals: Unlike purified water, TOKIT's water filter system for home retains beneficial minerals, which help to supplement the calcium, magnesium, and other elements needed by the body.

Smart reminder function: It has a filter replacement reminder function to ensure the quality of every drop of water.

Easy to install and maintain: The design is simple and suitable for home use.

By installing a TOKIT water filter, you can enjoy clean, healthy, and mineral-rich drinking water and avoid the mineral deficiency problems that purified water may bring.

Conclusion

Pure water itself is not harmful to health, but long-term reliance on it as the only water source may lead to insufficient mineral intake and affect physical health. To obtain more balanced drinking water, you can consider choosing water with minerals or installing a high-efficiency water filter (such as a TOKIT water filter) to ensure that the water quality is both clean and nutritious. Choosing the right drinking water according to your health status, living environment and needs is the key to maintaining a healthy life.

Maintaining good drinking water habits is an important step towards a healthy life. Whether you are pursuing purity or health, choosing a drinking water method that suits you is the most scientific decision!

Related reading: How Much Does A Reverse Osmosis System Cost?