Taking daily shots of olive oil has become a popular social media ritual, fueled by celebrities and users who claim the practice can improve health, reduce inflammation and enhance appearance. Health professionals, however, are warning that the concentrated dose of calories and fat may bring unwanted consequences.

Kourtney Kardashian and Hailey Bieber are among the celebrities who have promoted olive oil shots for supposed wellness benefits. Yet Megan Meyer, Ph.D., a science communication consultant based in Durham, North Carolina, questioned whether the viral practice offers the easy solution that users appear to want.

"I think health trends like these become popular because they're novel and go viral," Meyer told Fox News Digital. She also pointed to the appeal of simple rituals that promise results without requiring broader dietary changes.

"I also think people are interested in quick, convenient health fixes. Improving your diet can often be challenging and take a good bit of time and the effects of an improved diet usually take even longer."

Reality television personality Harry Jowsey shared his own experience after taking shots of olive oil and lemon juice each morning for a week. He said the main difference appeared in his face, describing "less puffiness" and "more even skin."

Another social media user called olive oil shots "a great way to lower inflammation." Supporters often point to polyphenols when praising the nutritional qualities of olive oil and explaining why they believe the practice may offer benefits.

Polyphenols are produced by plants and can help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, according to the National Institutes of Health. Their presence can contribute to a variety of health benefits, but the amount found in olive oil is not uniform across products.

"One important caveat: polyphenol content in olive oil can vary quite a bit," Meyer said. "Extra virgin olive oil tends to have more polyphenol content than a light-tasting olive oil that has been refined."

Olive oil can support heart health when it is included within a healthy diet. An observational study published in 2022 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that adults consuming more than half a tablespoon daily had a 19% lower risk of death from heart disease.

"The heart health benefits are largely tied to the monounsaturated fat and polyphenols of olive oil," Meyer noted. Those qualities do not necessarily make drinking straight olive oil the best way to consume it.

Meyer said taking a shot of olive oil "should be safe for most healthy people." She cautioned that people with gallbladder issues, chronic reflux or a sensitive stomach should probably avoid the practice.

The calorie load also presents a potential problem for people who make olive oil shots a daily habit. Because one or two shots can add several hundred calories to daily consumption, the ritual may contribute to weight gain over time.

"Taking an olive oil shot or two every day can add several hundred calories to your daily calorie consumption," Meyer said. "Consuming more calories than your body burns each day leads to weight gain, so taking an olive oil shot or two daily will most likely lead to weight gain over time."

Drinking a large amount of fat without other food may create additional discomfort. "In addition, consuming that much fat on an empty stomach may lead to an upset stomach, acid reflux, bloating or loose stools," Meyer noted.

Researchers have also found that giving mice olive oil before glucose delayed stomach emptying and limited an initial rise in circulating sugar. The finding raises questions about how the timing and order of food consumption may affect metabolic health, but it does not erase concerns about calories or digestive symptoms.

Meyer ultimately does not recommend consuming olive oil as a shot, although she supports using it as part of regular meals. Her advice focuses on incorporating the oil into food rather than treating it as a stand alone wellness ritual.

"Olive oil is delicious," she said. "Instead, I recommend enjoying olive oil as part of your meals — as an oil for sautéing foods, as a base in dressings or finish with a drizzle on soups and sauces."