Does TikTok's Olive Oil Shot Trend Have Actual Wellness Benefits? We Asked A Doctor
Wellness shots are nothing new to the health scene. Ginger shots, pineapple-turmeric shots, apple cider vinegar shots — we have heard of it all, until now. The latest wellness shot trend involves taking a shot of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice every morning to promote gut health. TikTok seems to be the primary source of the trend's popularity. Huge creators on the app, such as @oliveoilqueen, say drinking olive oil heals them. Her video promoting the trend and describing the benefits garnered over 300,000 likes. Some of the benefits the creator describes include regular periods, less bloating, and clear skin. Celebrities are promoting the trend as well, including Kourtney Kardashian, according to her wellness brand, Poosh. Kardashian takes a tablespoon of olive oil every other morning on an empty stomach to benefit her health.
It seems that every influencer and celebrity has hopped on this trend, but what do doctors think? Dr. James Walker has over 10 years of experience with managing patients and is a contracted medical advisor for Welzo. In an exclusive chat, he tells Glam that "while olive oil is generally considered a healthy fat and has many health benefits, taking shots of it is not necessarily a recommended practice." Here's what else he had to say.
Why doctors don't recommend taking olive oil shots
If you have kept track of the news over recent weeks, you have probably seen that Starbucks has taken serious heat for incorporating it into coffee drinks at some of its locations. This is because olive oil is very high in fat, which, in itself, can cause stomach pain. Combining it with coffee (which already stimulates the bowels) can be a very uncomfortable combination. The stomach issues that olive oil can cause are one of the main reasons doctors don't recommend drinking it. "Consuming excessive amounts of olive oil in one sitting can lead to digestive discomfort, such as bloating, diarrhea, or nausea," Dr. James Walker exclusively tells Glam. Therefore, taking shots of it is probably not a lifestyle change you should make to aid your digestion – or any other reason.
Another big reason doctors do not promote the daily drinking of olive oil is due to its high-calorie content. In fact, one tablespoon is 120 calories. Consuming a tablespoon every day of the week adds up. In total, that's 840 calories a week of oil. "Taking shots of olive oil could lead to consuming too many calories and contributing to weight gain, if not done in moderation," says Dr. Walker. Many TikTok users assume that the practice can lead to weight loss. But in reality, it can actually cause weight gain.
Incorporating olive oil into your diet in moderation
Olive oil in itself can be very healthy — when digested in moderation. In small to moderate amounts over time, adding olive oil to our diets can actually have health benefits. The effects from large amounts daily are not nearly as pleasant. In our exclusive chat, Dr. James Walker advises that some of the positive effects of adding small amounts of olive oil into your regular diet "include improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and improved brain function." Anyone else want to banish their brain fog for good?
Instead of drinking olive oil as part of your diet, incorporate it in moderation into meals you already eat. According to the American Heart Association, olive oil is a great substitute for "butter, margarine, and other types of fat." It's much healthier than other fats and it is an easy replacement for them. No drinking is necessary.
Some common ways people add olive oil into their normal diet in moderation are using it in their salad dressing, drizzling it over roasted vegetables, and adding it to cakes, pastries, and pies. Dr. Walker wants people to take away that "while taking shots of olive oil may not be harmful in small amounts, it's not a recommended practice, as it can lead to digestive discomfort and excessive calorie consumption."