A viral wellness trend that has celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Hailey Bieber downing straight shots of olive oil is drawing skepticism from a North Carolina-based science communicator, who warns the practice can pack on extra calories without delivering the health payoff fans claim.
Megan Meyer, Ph.D., a science communication consultant based in Durham, told Fox News Digital that the appeal of the trend has more to do with novelty than nutrition.
“I think health trends like these become popular because they’re novel and go viral,” Meyer said. “I also think people are interested in quick, convenient health fixes. Improving your diet can often be challenging and take a good bit of time and the effects of an improved diet usually take even longer.”
The trend has spread widely on social media. Reality television personality Harry Jowsey said he took olive oil and lemon juice shots every morning for a week and noticed “less puffiness” and “more even skin” in his face. Another social media user described the practice as “a great way to lower inflammation.”
Much of the enthusiasm centers on polyphenols, plant-based compounds that can help fight oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, according to the National Institutes of Health. But Meyer cautioned that not all olive oil delivers the same benefit.
“One important caveat: polyphenol content in olive oil can vary quite a bit,” Meyer said. “Extra virgin olive oil tends to have more polyphenol content than a light-tasting olive oil that has been refined.”
Olive oil consumed as part of a balanced diet does have documented heart benefits. A 2022 observational study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found adults who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil daily had a 19% lower risk of death from heart disease. Meyer said that effect is largely tied to the oil’s monounsaturated fat and polyphenol content — not to drinking it by the shot.
While Meyer said taking a shot of olive oil “should be safe for most healthy people,” she advised that those with gallbladder issues, chronic reflux or sensitive stomachs should probably steer clear.
Weight gain is also a real concern, she said.
“Taking an olive oil shot or two every day can add several hundred calories to your daily calorie consumption,” Meyer said. “Consuming more calories than your body burns each day leads to weight gain, so taking an olive oil shot or two daily will most likely lead to weight gain over time.”
She added that downing that much fat on an empty stomach “may lead to an upset stomach, acid reflux, bloating or loose stools.”
Meyer said she does not recommend taking olive oil as a shot, though she remains a fan of the ingredient itself when used properly.
“Olive oil is delicious,” she said. “Instead, I recommend enjoying olive oil as part of your meals — as an oil for sautéing foods, as a base in dressings or finish with a drizzle on soups and sauces.”
