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Taking olive oil shots has become a popular trend on social media, with celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Hailey Bieber touting the practice for its purported health benefits.
However, some medical professionals disagree with the assertion that olive oil pulling constitutes a viable wellness ritual.
“I think health trends like this become popular because they’re new and go viral,” Megan Meyer, Ph.D., a science communications consultant based in Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.
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“I also think people are interested in quick, convenient health solutions. Improving your diet can often be challenging and time-consuming, and the effects of an improved diet usually take even longer.”
Some social media users and celebrities claim that a daily dose of olive oil helps them feel healthier and less inflamed. (iStock)
Reality TV personality Harry Jowsey shared on social media his experience taking shots of olive oil and lemon juice every morning for a week straight, saying the main difference appeared on his face, with “less swelling” and “more even skin”.
Another social media user shared a similar experience, calling the practice “a great way to reduce inflammation.”
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Polyphenols are regularly mentioned by those who praise olive oil for its nutritional qualities.
Produced by plants, polyphenols can help fight oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, which can lead to many health benefits, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The polyphenol content of olive oil varies, with extra virgin olive oil generally containing more than refined varieties. (iStock)
“An important caveat: The polyphenol content of olive oil can vary greatly,” Meyer said. “Extra virgin olive oil tends to contain more polyphenols than a light-tasting, refined olive oil.”
When included in a healthy diet, olive oil may support heart health.
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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.
“The heart health benefits are largely linked to the monounsaturated fats and polyphenols in olive oil,” noted Meyer.
A health expert recommends consuming olive oil with other foods rather than taking it as an injection. (iStock)
Taking a dose 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.
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Weight gain is also a real possibility.
“Taking one or two glasses of olive oil each day can add several hundred calories to your daily calorie intake,” Meyer said. “Consuming more calories than your body burns each day leads to weight gain, so taking one or two shots of olive oil per day will most likely lead to weight gain over time.”
Olive oil may support heart health, but taking one or two shots of it every day could lead to weight gain. (iStock)
“Plus, consuming this much fat on an empty stomach can lead to stomach upset, acid reflux, bloating, or loose stools,” she noted.
Ultimately, Meyer doesn’t recommend taking olive oil in shot form, but she supports consuming it in other forms.
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“Olive oil is delicious,” she says. “Instead, I recommend enjoying olive oil as part of your meals – as an oil for sautéing foods, as a base in salad dressings, or finishing with a drizzle over soups and sauces.”
Gn Health
