Viral olive oil shots could lead to weight gain, health expert warns

Health expert Megan Meyer, Ph.D., warned on November 12, 2026, that viral olive oil shots promoted on social media may lead to weight gain and digestive discomfort. Meyer, a science communication consultant based in Durham, North Carolina, said taking one or two shots daily can add several hundred calories to a person's diet, and consistently consuming more calories than the body burns can eventually result in weight gain. She said health trends like these become popular because they are novel and go viral, and that people are interested in quick, convenient health fixes because improving your diet can often be challenging and take a good bit of time, with effects taking even longer.

Social media personalities have helped popularize the practice. Reality television personality Harry Jowsey documented drinking olive oil mixed with lemon juice every morning for seven consecutive days and described perceived changes in his appearance, particularly his facial skin, as having "less puffiness," alongside "more even skin." Another social media user promoted the practice as "a great way to lower inflammation." Polyphenols, naturally occurring plant compounds associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, are frequently cited in discussions about olive oil's nutritional value.

Meyer emphasized that polyphenol content in olive oil can vary quite a bit, noting that extra virgin olive oil tends to have more polyphenol content than a light-tasting olive oil that has been refined. She cited a 2022 observational study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology finding that adults consuming more than half a tablespoon daily had a 19% lower risk of death from heart disease, adding that the heart health benefits are largely tied to the monounsaturated fat and polyphenols of olive oil.

Although olive oil consumption is generally considered safe, Meyer identified people with gallbladder problems, chronic reflux or sensitive stomachs as groups who should avoid taking concentrated olive oil shots. She said taking a shot of olive oil should be safe for most healthy people, but cautioned that consuming that much fat on an empty stomach may lead to an upset stomach, acid reflux, bloating or loose stools. Instead, she recommended enjoying olive oil as part of meals—as an oil for sautéing foods, as a base in dressings or as a drizzle on soups and sauces.