The TikTok “Olive Oil Shot” Trend: A Speedy Fix for Benefits Already Found in the โMediterranean Diet?
A new health trend is gaining traction on TikTok: the “olive oil shot.” Influencers and users are postingโ videos of themselves consuming a smallโ glass – or โขspoonful – of extra virgin olive oil, often with lemon juice and a pinch of salt, as โa daily ritual promising a range of benefits. โThe trend has amassed millions of views,โ fueled โby claims of brighter skin, improved digestion, increased energy, andโค a clearer mind.
The practice involves drinking the oil, typically in the morning on an โempty stomach, and documenting the experience for anywhereโค from seven to thirty days. While variations exist, the core concept remains the same: a concentrated dose of extra virgin olive โคoil consumed like a supplement.
Proponents โฃattribute โthe purported benefitsโค to โขthe well-known properties โฃof olive oil, specificallyโ its high content of monounsaturated โขfats and antioxidants. While โconsuming raw olive oil can contribute to cardiovascular health and โsupport intestinal function, nutritionists โขcaution that โคthes effects are best achieved through consistent inclusion in a balanced diet, rather than a single daily “shot.”
Interestingly, the trend appears to be โขespecially popular in the United States, where average olive oil consumption is considerably lower than in mediterranean countries โฃlike Italy – roughly one liter perโ year compared to 10-20 liters. This disparity โis likely due โto differing culinary traditions; American cuisine often favors butter, โneutral vegetable oils, and processed seasonings over โฃolive oil.
For โฃthoseโ already adhering to a Mediterranean diet rich in oliveโฃ oil, experts suggest the “olive oil shot” is largely needless. It โappears โto be a perceived shortcutโฃ to benefits that are โnaturally obtained through regular dietary intake. In essence, the trend highlights a desire to quickly replicate the health advantages already enjoyedโ by those with โขestablished olive โคoil-rich eatingโฃ patterns.