Paavo Airola wrote about the dangers of distilled water in the 1970's when it first became a fad with the health food crowd.

Fasting using distilled water can be dangerous because of the rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and trace minerals like magnesium, deficiencies of which can cause heart beat irregularities and high blood pressure. Cooking foods in distilled water pulls the minerals out of them and lowers their nutrient value.

Distilled water is an active absorber and when it comes into contact with air, it absorbs carbon dioxide, making it acidic. The more distilled water, a person drinks, the higher the body acidity becomes.

The most toxic commercial beverages that people consume (i.e. cola beverages and other soft drinks) are made from distilled water. Studies have consistently shown that heavy consumers of soft drinks (with or without sugar) spill huge amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals into the urine.

The more mineral loss, the greater the risk for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and a long list of degenerative diseases generally associated with premature aging. A growing number of health care practitioners and scientists from around the world have been advocating the theory 

These and other junk foods can cause the body to become more acidic:

• meats

• sugar

• alcohol

• fried foods

• soft drinks

• processed foods

• white flour products

• dairy products

Stress, whether mental or physical, can lead to acid deposits in the body. The longer one drinks distilled water, the more likely the development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state.

The ideal water for the human body should be slightly alkaline and this requires the presence of minerals like

• calcium

• magnesium

Water filtered through reverse osmosis tends to be neutral and is acceptable for regular use provided minerals are supplemented.