Influencers Are Doing ‘Olive Oil Shots.’ We Asked 4 Experts If That’s a Good Idea—and They All Basically Said the Same Thing

SO OLIVE OIL shots are a thing again. Remember in the mid- to late-2010s, when people were knocking back all manner of liquids, including apple cider vinegar, juiced ginger, pulverized turmeric, and extra virgin olive oil? Well, social media influencers have brought back at least the last one, with Bryan Johnson doing “evo” shots and Steven Gundry, MD, recommending a daily dose of the stuff. (Also, both those guys sell their own olive oil. Just saying.)The supposed benefits of shooting olive range from the more generalized “more energy” to more specific ones, like protecting your cardiovascular system from disease.Influencers usually back up these claims by citing scientific research on the benefits of adding olive oil to your daily diet. But do the benefits extend to doing shots of olive oil?Four experts weigh in.​Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD, CSCS, CISSN, director of nutrition at Precision Nutrition“Olive oil is great for heart health and contains beneficial polyphenols, but you don't need to take it as a shot. You get the same benefits by just including it in your meals, and it's generally much more enjoyable that way. But if you want to take it as a shot, there's no harm in that. It's just not superior to including olive oil in your diet in regular ways. You know, with food.”“I'm a fan of California Olive Ranch 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Everyday. It's high quality, reasonably affordable (for evoo), and widely available. I use it to saute veggies, roast tubers and veggies, and drizzle on various things.”Drew Ramsey, MD, author of Healing the Modern Brain​“I'm a bigger fan of eating a few shots of olive oil with sauteed veggies or I pour it on my food. But a shot is fine I guess. People like to do it in the longevity scene to invoke ancient Greeks doing shots of ‘liquid gold.’”“I am an affiliate of the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club, which I reallly love. I've not had lots of fancy, fresh olive oils from around the world before and now I have. I like seeing and tasting the diversity. I use a 1-liter glass bottle of EVOO, usually Braggs or Whole Food Organic. I try to go through two to three of these a month for our house of four.”​Abby Langer, RD, author of Good Food, Bad Diet​“I wouldn’t suggest shots of olive oil for any reason. All that’s happening here is that you’re adding a concentrated source of calories and fat to your diet. There are no documented benefits of doing this for the average person, and it can cause weight gain if the oil shots are taken in addition to someone’s current diet. This can ultimately cause health problems.”“I don’t really have a fave oil. I use brands that have a seal of origin in them to ensure their purity.”Kelsey Kunik, RDN, at Graciously Nourished​“While olive oil is full of beneficial compounds that may support heart health and longevity, shooting it isn't necessary. Heating olive oil may degrade some beneficial polyphenols, but using it as a salad dressing, sauce, or finishing oil for roasted veggies provides the same benefits, plus enhanced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids.”“Extra-virgin olive oil can have such a range of flavors. I love San Giuliano Coastal Harvest Olive Oil. It's cold-pressed, which helps preserve more nutrients and polyphenols, and has a really nice, peppery flavor. While I don't take shots of it, I regularly use it in dressings and over veggies.”Paul Kita is a Deputy Editor at Men's Health, where he has covered food, cooking, nutrition, supplements, grooming, tech, travel, and fatherhood at the brand for more than 15 years. He is also the author of two Men's Health cookbooks, Guy Gourmet and A Man, A Pan, A Plan, and the winner of a James Beard Award.