Forget Vodka And Tequila, Everyone's Taking Olive Oil Shots: Here's Why

You, like me, might associate shots with too many sambucas at your university student bar, only to wake up the next day swearing you'll never touch the stuff again, and then repeat the cycle almost every weekend. How times have changed. Now those tiny glasses are getting plenty of airtime on social media, filled instead with olive oil and lemon juice in what people are calling a "miracle shot" for skin health and digestion. But is there any real substance behind the viral videos?

"Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which support heart health and may also reduce the risk of heart disease," says registered nutritionist Alexa Mullane. "They also support skin elasticity and hydration, and may protect against UV-induced damage." Around this time of year, as sun exposure increases and talk of inflammation reaches peak volume in wellness culture, that sounds incredibly appealing.

Alexa continues: "Olive oil is also rich in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation and protect against premature ageing and disease. Research has found that polyphenols may also be beneficial in slowing the development of neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers, and more recently it has been found to be effective for women's health, with studies suggesting protective effects against breast and ovarian cancer and post-menopausal osteoporosis."

Olive oil really is a superfood, though it does come with caveats. As with most things, not all olive oil is created equal and quality is key. Extra virgin, cold-pressed oil in a dark glass bottle is what to reach for. The cheapest supermarket options, often stored in clear plastic bottles, will not offer the same benefits. Heating the oil can also negate many of those benefits, which is a core reason why health professionals are increasingly singing the praises of the shot method: consumed raw, the oil arrives in the body completely untouched.

As Alexa stresses, though, the shot isn't the only way to get those benefits. "People on social media claim that olive oil shots give them glowing skin, support digestion and have anti-ageing effects. However, all of these benefits come from the regular consumption of small amounts of olive oil as part of the overall diet. While there is plenty of research confirming many of the health benefits of consuming olive oil, there's no research to show that drinking it as a shot is any more beneficial than simply including it in your daily meals."

The fresh lemon juice, turmeric and ginger you'll often see added to these concoctions do further enhance those benefits, through flavonoids, vitamin C and citric acid, providing additional anti-inflammatory and digestion-supporting properties as well as an immunity boost.

If the idea of an olive oil shot doesn't exactly appeal, there are gentler alternatives. "As a nutritionist, my advice would be to have a tablespoon of olive oil a day, drizzled over meals or used in a dressing," Alexa adds, while noting that olive oil is naturally high in calories, which is worth keeping in mind for anyone managing their weight.