Health

She Took A Shot Of Olive Oil Every Day For A Week — The Real Results Will Surprise You

Published on November 10, 2025

There are trends that sweep across the internet like wildfire, igniting curiosity and conversation, and then fading just as quickly as they arrived. Yet every now and then, one of these trends finds its way into the hands of someone who understands the science behind it — someone who does not just follow it, but examines it thoughtfully, patiently, and without spectacle. That is exactly what happened when Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., L.D., a registered dietitian and nutrition expert, decided to test the wellness trend of taking a daily shot of extra virgin olive oil.

On social media, the practice is often presented almost magically — drink a shot of olive oil and suddenly experience glowing skin, limitless energy, perfect digestion, sharper thinking, and effortless weight loss. The promise was bold and seductive. And Lauren, who has spent years counseling others about nutrition, wanted to know: was there truth behind the claims? Or was this simply another beautifully packaged myth?

She decided the best way to find out was to become her own case study.

So, for seven days, Lauren committed to taking one shot of extra virgin olive oil every single day, documenting how she felt, what she noticed, and what, if anything, changed.

What she discovered was quieter, deeper, and far more meaningful than any overnight miracle.

How the Experiment Began

Lauren did not approach this trend impulsively. As a nutrition professional, she already understood the foundational benefits of extra virgin olive oil — known commonly as EVOO — which has long been celebrated in Mediterranean diets and praised in clinical studies for its role in cardiovascular protection, reduced inflammation, and support for cognitive health.

This wasn’t about chasing hype. This was about curiosity meeting expertise.

The first day, she poured the olive oil into a standard shot glass. The golden liquid glowed softly in the kitchen light, rich and thick. She hesitated only briefly before raising the glass, tilting her head back, and swallowing.

The texture was heavier than expected. The flavor was earthy and oddly soothing at first, but grows intense quickly when taken alone in that quantity. She knew instantly that drinking olive oil straight like that was not going to be sustainable for her.

But instead of stopping, she adapted — the way most lifelong wellness habits require adaptation.

The next morning, she added the oil to her coffee. Another day, she drizzled it generously over vegetables. Another, she poured it warm over stovetop popcorn. The act of consuming olive oil became less of a “challenge” and more of a mindful inclusion, woven into the meals she already loved, rather than forced as something separate.

This adjustment was important — because real wellness is rarely about force.
It is often about gentleness.

What Changed — And What Didn’t

After seven days, Lauren sat down to reflect. She expected to notice something dramatic — because that is what the internet repeatedly claimed would happen. Instead, what she found was subtler and more truthful:

She did not wake up suddenly full of boundless morning energy.
Her workdays did not feel more focused or unusually productive.
Her skin did not transform into a glowing filter-worthy portrait.
Her hair did not suddenly become glossy or thick.

There were no magical, movie-scene changes.

And yet — she did not consider the experiment a disappointment.

Because the absence of dramatic change did not mean there were no benefits.

The Benefits You Don’t Feel Immediately

The most profound effects of olive oil occur inside the body, quietly and persistently — far below the surface where we tend to look for change.

“You don’t feel your body fighting oxidative stress,” Lauren wrote in her reflection. “You don’t physically feel inflammation lowering or cholesterol shifting or neurons being protected.”

And that is the nature of many of the most meaningful health improvements.

The body does not ring a bell every time a cell is protected from damage. The heart does not applaud when its arteries become just a little clearer. The brain does not send a thank-you note when inflammation is reduced.

But according to long-standing research, these benefits are real.

Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is So Powerful

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in:

Monounsaturated fats that support heart health
Polyphenols, natural antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress
Oleocanthal, a compound with anti-inflammatory effects shown to act similarly to ibuprofen in some conditions

These compounds work together to support:

Cardiovascular function
Reduced inflammation
Cell repair and protection
Brain health and cognitive resilience
Stable metabolism and improved nutrient absorption

However, unlike stimulants or fast-acting supplements, these benefits do not produce immediate sensation — they work slowly and consistently, designed for long-term wellness rather than short-term excitement.

When she didn’t feel “instant” change, Lauren realized something important:

The value of a healthy habit is not always measured in how it makes you feel today — but in how it supports the body you will live in for the rest of your life.

The Myth of Overnight Transformation

Wellness culture thrives on the promise of immediacy — seven-day transformations, thirty-day resets, and one-week miracles. But health rarely works that way. The body is not clay to be reshaped quickly; it is a garden, responding to time, nourishment, repetition, patience.

Lauren saw firsthand how misleading expectations can shape our reactions to genuine health practices. If we expect glowing skin tomorrow and razor-sharp focus by the weekend, we will almost always feel disappointed.

But if instead, we approach wellness with curiosity, patience, and trust — then small habits like adding olive oil become a gift we continually offer our future self.

What One Week Taught Her

Lauren did not stop taking olive oil after the week ended.

She continued — not because she felt an instant transformation, but because she understood the science and could see where the real value lived.

Questions People Ask — And Honest Answers

Do you have to drink olive oil in a shot?

No. In fact, Lauren recommends incorporating it into meals. Drizzling it on food is easier, enjoyable, and equally effective.

Will you feel immediate effects?
Probably not — and that is normal.

Does olive oil actually improve heart health and reduce inflammation?
Yes — supported by decades of research and recognized by major medical organizations.

Can olive oil help with weight management?

Possibly — in some people and when used in place of less healthy fats. But it is calorie-dense, so balance matters.

Is any olive oil good enough?

Extra virgin olive oil is key. It contains higher levels of antioxidants and beneficial plant-based compounds.

Final Reflection

Taking a shot of olive oil did not change Lauren’s week.

But continuing to take olive oil may help change her future.

And there is something deeply beautiful about that — about choosing habits that care for the person we are becoming, not just the person we are today.

To drink olive oil is not just to follow a trend.

It is to say:

“My body is worth steady care.
My health is worth investment.
My future is worth time.”

And that may be the most meaningful wellness lesson of all.