Viral Olive Oil Shots Could Lead to Weight Gain, Health Expert Warns

Taking shots of olive oil has become a popular trend on social media, with celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Hailey Bieber touting the practice for its supposed health benefits. However, some health professionals disagree with the claim that shooting olive oil is a viable wellness ritual.

Megan Meyer, Ph.D., a science communication consultant based in Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital that health trends like these become popular because they are novel and go viral. She said people are also interested in quick, convenient health fixes, while improving a diet can often be challenging and take a good deal of time, and the effects of an improved diet usually take even longer.

Reality television personality Harry Jowsey took to social media to share his experience taking olive oil and lemon juice shots every morning for a week, saying the main difference appeared in his face, with less puffiness and more even skin. Another social media user posted about a similar experience, calling the practice a great way to lower inflammation.

Polyphenols are consistently mentioned by those praising olive oil for its nutritional qualities. Produced by plants, polyphenols can help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, which can lead to a variety of health benefits, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Meyer said one important caveat is that polyphenol content in olive oil can vary quite a bit. Extra virgin olive oil tends to have more polyphenol content than a light-tasting olive oil that has been refined.

When included in a healthy diet, olive oil can support heart health. An observational study published in 2022 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) found that adults who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 19% lower risk of death from heart disease. Meyer noted the heart health benefits are largely tied to the monounsaturated fat and polyphenols of olive oil.

Taking a shot of olive oil should be safe for most healthy people, according to Meyer. However, she added, those with gallbladder issues, chronic reflux or a sensitive stomach should probably avoid it.

Weight gain is a real possibility too. Meyer said taking an olive oil shot or two every day can add several hundred calories to daily calorie consumption. Consuming more calories than the body burns each day leads to weight gain, so taking shots daily will most likely lead to weight gain over time.

In addition, consuming that much fat on an empty stomach may lead to an upset stomach, acid reflux, bloating or loose stools, she noted.

Ultimately, Meyer does not recommend taking olive oil as a shot, but she supports consuming it in other forms. She said olive oil is delicious and recommended enjoying it as part of meals — as an oil for sautéing foods, as a base in dressings, or finished with a drizzle on soups and sauces.