You may find yourself in some instances when deionized (or DI) water is the only available source to quench or thirst. While there are debates whether it is a safe drink or not, we simply must say that drinking it in small amount is usually okay. However, if you’re planning of taking it as a form of your daily drinking water, then it is not safe.
Definition and Description
The name ‘deionized’ water is self explanatory. It is the result when ion are removed from an ordinary water which contains ions like the Cu2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. Usually, DI water may be used in laboratory procedures wherein ions may be of interference or may result problems. It is important to bear in mind that deionized water does not necessarily mean ‘pure’ water. The deionizing process does not eradicate pathogens or other organic contaminants.
Reasons that DI Water is Unsafe to Drink
- It lacks minerals ordinarily found in water (e.g. magnesium and calcium) that can benefit our health.
- DI water attacks materials constituting the pipes and other storage container, leading to the leaching process in metals and other chemicals into the water. This heightens our risk of metal toxicity which is of course harmful for our body.
- Using DI in cooking may lead loss of minerals found in our food, drawing them out of the food into the cooking water (which can easily evaporate).
- One study found that it can lead into direct damage of intestinal mucosae.
- Long term of use of DI water may lead into organ damage even if the presence of other minerals is present in food during the meal.
Should You Need to Drink
- Let the Di react with air as it readily picks up the ions from the atmosphere, turning it almost immediately into ordinary purified water.
- Do not let it run through containers where you placed strong chemicals before.
- You can filter the DI water though DO NOT do it through bleached coffee filter or paper towel.