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Key Takeaways
- Olive oil and lemon juice shots are a social media trend that may promote certain aspects of your health.
- Proponents recommend taking the shot either after waking up or before bed to increase potential benefits.
- Research is limited on the shot, but olive oil and lemon juice have proven benefits separately.
Olive oil and lemon juice shots are a social media trend, with influencers promising skin and digestive health benefits. While research on the shot itself is limited, studies on olive oil and lemon juice suggest distinct potential benefits of these ingredients.
The Best Time to Take an Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Shot
If you’re considering trying the olive oil and lemon juice shot, you may be wondering when the best time of day to take it is.
- Taking a shot of olive oil and lemon juice in the morning may jumpstart your day. Olive oil is thought to support healthy digestion by increasing the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) and helping prevent blood sugar spikes. Lemon juice in the morning may support blood sugar management and increase your overall antioxidant intake.
- Adding olive oil and lemon juice to your nighttime routine may be beneficial. Olive oil may support overnight recovery due to its anti-inflammatory properties. There is also some evidence that olive oil may ease constipation symptoms as you sleep by acting as a gentle, natural laxative.
Few solid studies on the effects of olive oil and lemon juice shots exist. Ultimately, olive oil and lemon juice shots should not be promoted as a fix for health problems. Instead, the shot may be beneficial when included as part of an overall balanced diet.
What the Science Says: Potential Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
Research shows that olive oil and lemon juice may have separate health benefits.
Olive Oil Health Benefits
- Regularly consuming olive oil may improve heart health. Regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil may reduce the risk of heart disease, thanks in part to antioxidants and healthy fats. Studies on high olive oil consumption show improvements in blood pressure and blood lipids.
- Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Phenolic compounds and other antioxidants in olive oil are known to reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage. Research also suggests that extra virgin olive oil may help reduce gut inflammation and support normal digestion.
- Including olive oil in your diet may protect your brain. Antioxidants in olive oil may support cognition (mental processes) and protect the brain from damage. There is also evidence that olive oil consumption may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
- Daily olive oil consumption may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe that the healthy fats and antioxidants in olive oil may reduce the risk of diabetes by lowering cholesterol and blood lipid levels and increasing insulin sensitivity. Olive oil may be most beneficial when used to replace saturated fats in the diet.
Lemon Juice Health Benefits
- Lemon juice is high in beneficial antioxidants. Lemons and lemon juice contain vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. These antioxidants have been found to reduce free radicals (potentially harmful substances in the body), reduce cell damage, and help prevent certain diseases.
- Consuming lemon juice may help prevent kidney stones. Citrate from lemon juice binds to calcium oxalate salts that may form due to diet and other factors. High levels of calcium oxalate in the urine may increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Vitamin C in lemon juice may increase iron absorption. Non-heme iron from plant-based foods binds to vitamin C, making it more easily absorbed in the body. In one lab study, adding lemon juice to hummus significantly increased iron bioavailability compared to chickpeas alone.
- Consuming lemon juice before a meal may improve digestion. According to a small study, lemon juice may increase stomach acid, facilitating the efficient digestion of starches. Lemon juice may also support peristalsis (the movement of the intestine as food is digested), but more research is needed.
Read the original article on Verywell Health
