Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

RO Distilled Water

Also known as: RO Distilled Water, RO water, distilled water, purified water, Reverse Osmosis Distilled Water

Overview

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Distilled Water is a highly purified form of water produced either by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane (reverse osmosis) or by boiling and condensing steam (distillation). These processes effectively remove nearly all dissolved solids, minerals, organic compounds, and contaminants, resulting in water with very low total dissolved solids (TDS). It is primarily used for drinking, in medical settings, and as a base for supplement formulations where mineral-free water is required. While generally considered safe for consumption, its lack of minerals distinguishes it from tap or mineral water. Research on its direct benefits as a supplement ingredient is limited, with most studies being observational, animal-based, or small human trials, indicating a low to moderate level of evidence.

Benefits

Limited clinical evidence suggests that purified water, specifically reverse osmosis infrared filtered water, when combined with a hypocaloric diet and exercise, may contribute to additional weight loss (approximately 2.4 kg over 12 weeks) in obese women compared to diet and exercise alone. This benefit is likely indirect, possibly due to increased hydration and enhanced palatability encouraging greater water intake. However, this small study did not observe significant changes in waist circumference or body fat percentage, and the evidence quality is moderate due to its small sample size and lack of replication. Beyond hydration and potential adjunctive support for weight management, there is no robust evidence supporting direct health benefits of RO/distilled water as a supplement ingredient.

How it works

RO/distilled water functions by providing hydration without introducing minerals or contaminants. Its purification processes remove potentially harmful substances like fluoride and heavy metals found in some tap water sources. However, this also means it does not contribute to dietary mineral intake, such as calcium or magnesium. Animal metabolomics research indicates that long-term consumption of purified water may alter metabolic pathways, potentially leading to negative nitrogen balance and reduced polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could disturb energy metabolism. The clinical relevance of these metabolic changes in humans is not yet clear. The enhanced palatability of purified water may indirectly support health by promoting increased water consumption, thereby aiding metabolism and weight management.

Side effects

While generally considered safe for consumption, long-term exclusive consumption of low-mineral water like RO/distilled water may pose risks related to mineral deficiencies or metabolic disturbances. Animal studies suggest potential alterations in metabolic pathways, including negative nitrogen balance. Observational studies in children have shown that those drinking mineral-rich water had higher serum alkaline phosphatase and mineral levels compared to those drinking RO water, indicating the importance of water's mineral content for bone metabolism markers. There are no significant adverse effects directly attributed to RO/distilled water consumption in humans documented in high-quality trials. However, a primary concern is the lack of essential minerals, which may necessitate dietary mineral supplementation or remineralization of the water, especially for individuals with already low dietary mineral intake, to prevent potential deficiencies.

Dosage

There are no established dosing guidelines for RO/distilled water as a specific supplement ingredient, as it is typically consumed ad libitum as a primary source of drinking water. Optimal hydration needs vary based on individual factors such as activity level, climate, and health status. When used as a primary hydration source, individuals should ensure adequate dietary intake of essential minerals or consider remineralizing the water to compensate for the absence of minerals. If RO/distilled water is used as a base in supplement formulations, formulators should account for its lack of minerals and consider adding necessary mineral components to the final product to maintain nutritional balance.

FAQs

Does RO/distilled water leach minerals from the body?

No, cellular research indicates that distilled water does not remove minerals from human tissues. Instead, it may enhance the absorption of minerals from dietary sources by eliminating interference from inorganic minerals found in other water types.

Is RO/distilled water better than tap water?

RO/distilled water removes contaminants and often improves taste. However, it lacks beneficial minerals found in tap water. Its 'superiority' depends on the quality of the tap water and individual mineral intake needs.

Should minerals be added back to RO/distilled water?

For long-term consumption, especially if it's your primary water source, remineralization or ensuring sufficient dietary mineral intake is advisable to maintain proper mineral balance and prevent potential deficiencies.

Does drinking RO/distilled water aid weight loss?

Limited evidence suggests it may support weight loss when combined with diet and exercise, possibly by encouraging increased hydration and potentially contributing to thermogenic effects. However, it's not a standalone weight-loss solution.

Research Sources

https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/reverse-osmosis-infrared-filtered-water-consumption-induces-weight-loss-2165-7904.1000102.php?aid=3304 – This small randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of reverse osmosis infrared filtered water (ROIFW) on weight loss in obese women. It found that ROIFW consumption, combined with a hypocaloric diet and exercise, led to an additional 2.4 kg weight loss over 12 weeks compared to diet and exercise alone, though it did not significantly impact waist circumference or body fat percentage. The study suggests a potential adjunctive role for purified water in weight management.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11122726/ – This animal metabolomics study on rats explored the long-term effects of purified water consumption. It revealed alterations in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, including a negative nitrogen balance and reduced polyunsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that mineral-deficient water could disturb energy metabolism. The findings highlight potential metabolic concerns with long-term purified water intake, though human relevance requires further investigation.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11953389/ – This observational study examined the impact of water mineral content on bone metabolism markers in children. It found that children consuming mineral-rich non-RO water had higher serum alkaline phosphatase and mineral levels compared to those drinking RO water. This suggests that the mineral content of drinking water can influence bone health indicators, underscoring the importance of minerals in water for growing individuals.
https://www.cloudwaterfilters.com/education/distilled-water-vs-ro-water-whats-the-difference – This article provides a general comparison between distilled water and RO water, explaining their purification processes and key differences. It highlights that both methods produce highly purified water with minimal mineral content, but also notes that the absence of minerals means they do not contribute to dietary mineral intake, advising remineralization for long-term consumption.
https://hammernutrition.com/blogs/endurance-library/distilled-water-enhances-mineral-absorption – This source discusses the interaction of distilled water with mineral absorption, citing cellular research. It posits that distilled water does not leach minerals from the body but rather may enhance the absorption of dietary minerals by removing inorganic mineral interference. This provides a mechanistic insight into how purified water might affect nutrient uptake.