Why Are People Drinking Straight Olive Oil?

If your social media algorithm is even remotely attuned to wellness, it’s likely you’ve encountered advocates of drinking olive oil. Some say the practice improves digestive health and boosts metabolism. Others say it makes skin glow. Kourtney Kardshian and Gwyneth Paltrow are on board, and Benny Blanco swears by a shot before drinking to prevent a hangover. Beyoncé even invested in the wellness company Saint Supply, which boasts an organic extra-virgin olive oil called Living Elixir. But is there anything legit to this trend? For answers, we called on Amy Shapiro, registered dietitian, master of science in nutritional science, and founder of Real Nutrition NYC.  

“While there is not enough research to support the claim that taking a shot of olive oil is a good idea for optimal health, we do know olive oil as part of a balanced diet does provide many nutritional benefits,” she says. But taking shot after shot of the stuff isn’t needed to reap the nutritional benefits of olive oil. “From my experience, most people are not lacking in dietary fat and consuming an additional shot of olive oil is not usually necessary,” she adds.  

Instead, Shapiro suggests women over 40 (who are more likely to need the heart-healthy benefits) “incorporate olive oil into their diet daily by either cooking with it, using it in salad dressing, or in recipes like hummus.” That being said, Shapiro admits she “wouldn't be opposed” to a shot of olive oil for someone who is on a very low-fat diet and lacking in heart-protective fats. It may even help to improve digestive regularity (something many women struggle with), and can also help to decrease inflammation. “So depending on the individual's nutrition goals, this may help,” she says.

Does that mean you should stock up on EVOO? Not necessarily, but it’s unlikely to cause you any major issues in moderation. You should always speak to your doctor, though. “My baseline opinion here is that doing a shot of olive oil daily is unnecessary for most American individuals as we tend to consume more fat through food that is already necessary,” Shapiro says. “I would recommend that individuals look at the oils that are part of their diet currently and swap them out for olive oil for optimal health benefits.”