Every few months, a new wellness habit takes over social media. Whether it's detox drinks, supplements or morning routines, people are constantly searching for simple ways to improve their health.
One of the latest trends involves taking a daily shot of olive oil mixed with lemon juice. Supporters claim the combination can reduce inflammation, improve digestion, support liver function and even help prevent kidney stones.
However, researchers say many of those claims are not supported by scientific evidence.
What the research shows
According to researchers Lars Porskjær Christensen from the University of Southern Denmark and Lars Ove Dragsted from the University of Copenhagen, the potential health benefits linked to this trend come primarily from olive oil itself, reports Forskning.no.
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Olive oil contains natural plant compounds known as polyphenols. Scientists have spent years studying these substances because of their ability to support the body's antioxidant defenses and help regulate inflammatory processes.
Chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Research suggests that polyphenols may help the body manage some of these harmful processes.
This is one reason olive oil has become a key component of the Mediterranean diet, one of the most extensively studied eating patterns in the world.
Lemon is not the secret ingredient
While lemon juice provides vitamin C, researchers say there is no evidence that combining it with olive oil creates any special health effect.
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The popular online claim that the mixture can prevent kidney stones is also not backed by scientific research.
Experts stress that lemon juice is not harmful and can still be part of a healthy diet. The issue is simply that many of the dramatic claims circulating online go far beyond what studies have demonstrated.
A better approach
Researchers agree that olive oil can be a healthy addition to everyday meals, but there is no proven advantage to drinking it as a morning shot.
Instead, they recommend focusing on an overall balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole foods and other plant-based ingredients associated with anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Foods often highlighted by researchers include:
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Root vegetables
The conclusion is straightforward: olive oil has well-documented health benefits, but the viral olive oil and lemon shot appears to be more social media trend than medical breakthrough.
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