I went through this whole discussion here before.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16434164
My unanswered questions on distilled water: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16449541
Edit: for clarity.
My unanswered questions on distilled water: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16449541
Edit: for clarity.
As for electrolytes, usually you need to intake specific foods or liquids that are high in electrolytes (electrolytes are just chemicals that increase electrical conductivity of a solution when dissolved). So while a litre of tap water has more electrolytes than a litre of distilled water, a litre of fruit juice has more (though drinking a litre of fruit juice probably isn't great for you).
As for whether lack of electrolytes is harmful, the answer is yes. Electrolytes are required for your body's electro-chemistry to operate properly and maintain the proper function of your heart, brain, body's fluid-balance, and pH buffer system. When you lose electrolytes (such as through heavy sweating, diarrhea or vomiting) those processes may not work as well.
I would note that when you are dehydrated, hospitals will generally provide you with liquid electrolytes (intravenously if the situation is dire), implying that there is some medical benefit of liquid sources over solid ones (but I might be mistaken). But there are several solid sources of electrolytes.
How much distilled water does it take to cause "harm"?
Since "normal" water can cause loss of electrolytes also, what is the actual difference between the two? (is there any actual data? or do we have to guess?)
A commenter further down says distilled water causes stomach cells to explode and diarrhoea. But since I just found out today that the entire Navy provides only distilled water to it's sailors. (think 3 months under the sea in a submarine with only distilled water) I am really starting to think that the idea that distilled water was ever bad for anyone is a myth.
Read the quote again. I said lack of electrolytes is harmful, because that's what you asked. I don't believe that distilled water is harmful by itself (though if you take it and you don't know that you need to take in minerals from other sources then it could be harmful purely through negligence). I'm just trying to answer your question.
> But since I just found out today that the entire Navy provides only distilled water to it's sailors. (think 3 months under the sea in a submarine with only distilled water)
But sailors are also given vitamin supplements (to prevent scurvy and a variety of other diseases). I'd be surprised if they aren't also given some form of mineral and electrolyte supplements, to combat those problems. I don't know why they'd provide them distilled water though.
> A commenter further down says distilled water causes stomach cells to explode and diarrhoea.
I'm in agreement with you that this comment doesn't make any sense.
I know that is what you said, but we are talking in circles.
Why do you think distilled water robs you of _enough_ electrolytes to cause harm? There must be some real data or proof somewhere?
I've read a lot of comments here claiming this, but not a single source is quoted anywhere. Don't you think it's odd that many believe something, yet it's so hard to find proof of it?
According to this medical doctor distilled water is considered helpful against cancer, specifically stating no added minerals, vitamins or electrolytes. Interview from Rising (web mag?) with Dr. Jason Fung (JF).
>JF ‘When the body senses the temporary absence of nutrients, it must prioritise which cellular parts to keep. The oldest and most worn-out cells get discarded, and amino acids from the broken-down cell parts are delivered to the liver, which uses them to create glucose during gluconeogenesis – a natural process in the body that helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Cancer may be a result of what’s called ‘disordered autophagy’. We’re learning that this process plays a role in cancer biology, and products that inhibit this process have been approved by the Food & Drug Administration in the US for the treatment of cancers. Fasting’s role in stimulating autophagy provides an opportunity to prevent cancer. And that’s why Dr Seyfried proposes a yearly seven-day water-only fast.’
RISING Seven days with no food, just water?
JF ‘Distilled water, to be precise. No additives, no vitamins, no minerals. Distilled water and nothing else.’
http://www.therisingman.com/categories/movement-fuel/article...
Fair enough.
>Distilled water pulls minerals from cells and causes apoptosis.
Does it do this because it's acidic?
>...most people get their minerals from solid food anyways.
Are you saying that because distilled water is acidic, and doesn't have minerals, it will destroy our bodies when fasting?
Any strong acid able to "dissolve tissues" will kill cells of course (causing apoptosis), but is not the only way. Distilled water is not so acid.
Your questions are too over-specialized, too vague or too complex to be answered in a few lines. I can understand the lack of motivation and answers. How much electrolytes are there in a single "bite" of "any particular food"... is an example of question impossible to answer. A mouthful is a variable and undefined amount of matter, and "any particular food" has an almost infinite range.
I am obviously uninformed on the topic, so belittling my questions seems like a way to sidestep answering the spirit of the questions.
Edit:
>Cells are burst by that water. Is a simplification, but is a "mechanical damage"
From a quick google search, this seems to only happen when the cells are actually removed from the body and submerged in distilled water.
Do you believe that drinking distilled water causes blood cells to burst in our veins?
Not, this is false. All alive tissues are subject to osmotic regulation. Is a basic mechanism to protect the cell integrity.
> drinking distilled water causes blood cells to burst in our veins?
Not in your veins, in your gut. Is well known that drinking big amounts of distilled water causes diarrhea. A glass of water will not have much effect on you. All depends on the dose. (Injecting distilled water directly in your veins could cause blood cells to burst, on the other hand).
>Not in your veins, in your gut.
>...drinking big amounts of distilled water causes diarrhea.
Stating that distilled water caused cells to explode in your stomach and give you diarrhoea are some extraordinary claims that I have never come across before, and I think they require some sources to back up.
Edit: Some googling and I am mostly finding support for distilled water, and nothing as dramatic as what you are claiming about exploding cells in your stomach.
Even the doctors that seem to oppose distilled water support its use for detoxing. I think the idea of distilled water being bad is an old myth that is still hanging around.
Edit2: I just found out that all the navy ships and submarines provide distilled water as the only drinking source for their sailors. Considering that they are at sea for months at a time, I think this completely debunks the myth that distilled water "explodes cells" and causes diarrhoea.
I guess that sailors eat something also in all those months, including a fair amount of salt in their diets.
Distilled water is both acidic and osmotically poor due to its low levels of dissolved solids. Like was mentioned 10 comments ago, drinking distilled water will sap your body of electrolytes and other minerals. This can include bone loss due to resorption. However it isn't the worst thing if you consume a good diet of solid food containing minerals - which most people do.
But you decided to consume distilled water...on a fast...without taking vitamins or minerals. It takes a real philistine to believe in the benefits of something that is actually killing them - because they read it from some dieting blog. Googling distilled water comes up with many medical and health journal papers. But we dont even need that because basic cell membrane physiology which is a standard pre-med class, deals with all this stuff. I wont continue the debate.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16543125
I am curious is there is even a single source on the internet with real data on any negative effects of distilled water, cause I have only seen comments on forums, but no proof.
Have fun reading this synopsis on the topic of fasting and distilled water: https://www.ncahf.org/articles/e-i/fasting.html
In summary, you buy into the "pain must be good!" ascetic BS. You have insecurity and by fasting, you believe you must be rewarded for your sacrifice. Well, it sucks that you actually get more pain for your pain - break down your body, lose muscle, produce ammonia, urea, and all sorts of toxins, pull out stored toxins and use them because your body is so desperate on its low reserves of vital nutrients..and destroy your organs. Bravo!
Please dont dig this distilled watering hole any deeper.
>You have insecurity...
Why are you making this personal?
>break down your body, lose muscle, produce ammonia, urea, and all sorts of toxins, pull out stored toxins and use them because your body is so desperate on its low reserves of vital nutrients..and destroy your organs. Bravo!
According to this video _none_ of that happens. He addresses all of those claims. (provides proof from actual medical studies)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIuj-oMN-Fk
The medical studies he presents (not his own) state the opposite of what you are saying. If you don't want to watch the video, I think this article is similar:
https://idmprogram.com/fasting-and-muscle-mass-fasting-part-...
This does of course detract from your argument that distilled water is bad for you.