I also felt full much longer than I usually do—one morning around 10:30 a.m. I had a bagel and cream cheese followed by my olive oil shot, and I honestly didn’t even begin to feel hungry until dinnertime. I later learned this is likely due to the number of calories in olive oil (more on that later).

Who should take olive oil shots?

Who might be a candidate to take olive oil shots? Anyone looking to support heart health, digestion, and inflammation may benefit, says Shapira. “It can also be helpful for those following a Mediterranean diet or dealing with dry skin, joint pain, or mild constipation,” Shapira adds.

What are the benefits of olive oil shots?

For gut health and digestion

“Olive oil also supports gut health by stimulating digestion and acting as a natural lubricant for the digestive tract,” says Shapira. “Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce joint pain and overall improve your well-being.”

If you don’t cook with olive oil

If you cook with and consume olive oil daily, especially extra-virgin olive oil, you do not need to take additional shots. “If you’re using extra-virgin olive oil on salads, drizzling it on your vegetables, or cooking with it at a low temperature, you’re already getting its benefits,” says Shapira. But if you tend to cook with other oils or butter, then adding a shot of olive oil to your daily menu could be a game changer for you.

How do you take olive oil shots?

“Moderation is key,” says Heather Snead, Live Conscious expert and nutritionist. Taking multiple shots won’t give you more benefits faster. According to Saint Supply Living Elixir, you can take a 15 to 30 ml shot at any time of the day, even on an empty stomach.

In the name of science, I switched it up throughout the week and experienced the same benefits regardless of the time. I followed up my shot with a glass of water, but this is optional. Take it before a meal, after a meal, with water, without water—it’s totally up to you.

If the thought of taking a shot of olive oil isn’t your thing, you can still easily enjoy the perks. “You may find it more beneficial and easier on digestion when incorporated into meals,” says Snead. “Simple salad dressings, homemade marinades, or stovetop stir-fries offer great ways to enjoy its benefits without the potential digestive discomfort of consuming it straight.”

Potential side effects of olive oil shots

Nausea

For most people, olive oil is well-tolerated, says Shapira. However, “taking it as a shot can sometimes lead to nausea, diarrhea, or digestive discomfort, especially if your body isn’t used to it because it’s high in fat,” she adds. Make sure to pay attention to how you’re feeling after taking the shot to see if you experience this side effect.

High caloric intake

Remember that olive oil is a fat, meaning that it’s calorie-dense, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, host of the Media Savvy Podcast and author of Read It Before You Eat It —Taking You from Label to Table. So that shot could set you back quite a few calories, as two tablespoons equals about 250 calories, she notes. In fact, it may even contribute to weight gain if you consume too much at once, especially “if it’s not balanced within your overall diet and you’re eating it when you are hungry,” adds Shapira.

Who should avoid olive oil shots?

If you have health concerns