Should You Drink Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Shots?

If you’re even a little health-conscious, you’re likely using olive oil to dress salads and roast vegetables. But some people are going further and not just eating olive oil — they’re also drinking it with a dash of lemon.

This includes model and skin-care entrepreneur Hailey Bieber, who swears by this viral concoction as one of her morning routine must-haves. In a TikTok interview with Time, Bieber shared that she’s been having a daily olive oil and lemon juice shot “without fail, for the last few months.” She described it as helpful for “coating the gut” and a “good detox.”

“It’s newer, but it really does work and it has you feeling really good,” she said.

Bieber joins other influencers promoting the trend on TikTok for its purported benefits: @Emiliehigle, says an olive oil-lemon juice elixir lowered inflammation and contributed to clearer skin after dealing with hormonal acne. @Ebonycierrax reported that the shot led to noticeable benefits, including better digestion.

These claims may have you wondering: Should you drink olive oil and lemon juice shots?

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

“Including olive oil in the diet has been linked to improved heart health and reduced risk of certain types of cancers, as well as promoting satiety [fullness] and overall digestive health,” says says Emma Laing, PhD, RDN, the director of dietetics at the University of Georgia in Athens.

One caveat: Although olive oil has benefits for gut health, claims that it can help reduce bloating are anecdotal. “It might work for some people, but not everyone,” Laing notes.

“This is because we all don’t have the same eating pattern, nor do we have the same factors that also influence digestion — like stress, hormonal fluctuations, medications, food intolerances, and physical activity patterns.”

Health Benefits of Lemon Juice

“Vitamin C also helps improve the absorption of iron in the diet, particularly from plant-based sources,” Laing adds. “Adding a few drops of lemon juice to water can support hydration by improving taste, and it can be used in sweet and savory dishes as a low-sodium flavor enhancer, as well as in salad dressings and marinades.”

“Studies that include both olive oil and lemon juice in the diet show health benefits, but these are not unique to this particular combination,” says Lang. “Benefits must be viewed in the context of an individual’s medical history, typical eating pattern, and other lifestyle behaviors like physical activity, sleep, and stress management.”

She says adding lemon juice to an olive oil shot combines antioxidants with healthy fats — and while this may technically provide an anti-inflammatory boost, it’s likely best consumed through your actual diet, rather than a consolidated “wellness shot.”

The scientific data doesn’t suggest that you need to throw back wellness shots to improve your health.

“There isn’t strong research to suggest that any of the potential benefits couldn’t be achieved through incorporating olive oil into recipes, rather than drinking it straight up,” says Maddie Pasquariello, RD, a registered dietitian in Brooklyn, New York.

“If you already eat a balanced diet, it’s unlikely that you need to be adding more oil to achieve benefits for health,” says Pasquariello. “If you’re already using high-quality olive oil in your cooking, and using it in the right preparations, you’re getting the benefits.”

“Drinking small amounts of olive oil should not cause harm or elicit negative side effects for most people,” says Laing. But some might experience stomach discomfort, since consuming any unfamiliar food in excess can cause gut distress.

If you have a health condition or you’re taking a medication that alters your absorption of dietary fat (such as a lipase inhibitor or a prescription weight loss drug), speak to your doctor before making changes to your diet, Laing says.

Another potential concern is caloric density. “Fat sources like olive oil contain about 40 calories in a teaspoon,” says Pasquariello. “So, if total caloric intake is something you’re concerned about, then foods high in fat can be a higher source of calories.”

• Olive oil provides numerous health benefits, with research suggesting it offers protection against heart disease, cancer, and dementia-related death.
• Lemon juice provides its own benefits, offering vitamin C and antioxidants that may support immune health and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
• There’s not much research on the benefits of combining them, but experts say any benefits associated with olive oil and lemon juice are more likely tied to an overall healthy Mediterranean-style eating pattern.