Distilled water 101: Is it safe to drink? Here's what this type of water is used for.

While everyone drinks water, be it tap or otherwise, it may come as a surprise to learn there are multiple types with different benefits. These types of water vary in purity, cost and healthiness as well as purpose and origin, according to healthline.com.

Healthline.com’s list of nine water types, paired with pros and cons, includes widely used waters, such as tap and sparkling. It also features more specialized forms that may not always be completely recommended for you, such as distilled water.

What is distilled water?

Distilled water is water that has been boiled into steam and then, through cooling, reverted back into a liquid state and collected. This boiling and collection process, says WebMD, removes all “minerals, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants,” resulting in absolutely pure water without any external elements.

Although distilled water is safe to drink, it does lack beneficial minerals. Healthline.com explains if you eat a well-balanced diet, then missing out on these minerals won’t harm you, but it won’t necessarily help you, either. Since distilled water contains no harmful bacteria, either, the site recommends distilled water over tap water if “your town’s water is tainted with harmful chemicals or pesticides.”

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How is distilled water different from boiled or filtered water?

Distilled water differs from boiled, filtered and purified water in that it is the only type that is turned into steam and then back into liquid to completely purify it. Boiled water, according to the Virginia Department of Health, kills bacteria and disease-causing viruses and is created by bringing water to a full boil for one minute. Filtered water, explains WebMD, is tap water that has been run through filters to remove dangerous substances. Purified water, a type of distilled water,has impurities removed via a water processing plant, according to healthline.com.

You can make and store distilled water at home, it is available for purchase from stores like Raley's or Walmart, by companies including Arrowhead, Sunnyside Farms, Poland Spring and Smart Water.

What are some other types of water?

Mineral water is obtained from a mineral spring and has health benefits, but it can be costly and is often unnecessary when paired with a healthy diet, says healthline.com.

Spring water is very accessible and can have many healthy minerals, but the costs can add up over time and the water can be “untested,” which may pose health threats, the site says.

Sparkling water, which can have a fizzy taste, is also expensive and lacks meaningful health benefits, healthline says.

Flavored water can be a tasty alternative, but in general it contains artificial sweeteners or sugar, which can cause negative health effects, says healthline.com.

How much water should you drink?

Men need 13 cups of water daily while women need a total of 9 cups, according to WebMD. This total can increase, depending on how hot the day is. WedMD says children and teenagers need 6 to 8 cups daily. When playing or exercising, 2 cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes should be your goal.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is distilled water? Safety facts, plus what it's used for.