Scroll through TikTok or Instagram long enough, and you’ll see people drinking olive oil and lemon juice shots right before bed or first thing in the morning. Many swear that this two-ingredient combo has changed their digestion, improved their skin and fixed their mornings before they even begin. But as with any wellness trend, it can be hard to know whether it’s actually doing anything or just another fad. Here’s what you need to know.

The Claims on Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Shots

On their own, both extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice are great for your health. Online, though, mixing the two into a shot is said to offer the following benefits.

Detox Your Body

Among the many reasons people swear by olive oil and lemon juice shots is that they help detoxify the body, flushing out waste and toxins that have built up over time. They believe that this cleansing effect can boost energy levels, improve sexual health, support mental clarity and help manage conditions like diabetes. Since both ingredients are often associated with clean eating and traditional diets, the shot is seen as a simple way to reset your system without supplements or complicated plans.

What science says: Both olive oil and lemon juice contain polyphenols, which are plant nutrients with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage and contribute to disease. That’s where the “cleansing” idea comes from. The thing is, you don’t need to combine olive oil and lemon juice or drink them as a shot to get these benefits. More importantly, your body already has built-in detox systems. Your liver, kidneys, digestive tract and skin remove toxins every day, so a special detox isn’t necessary.

Improve Collagen Production

Another popular claim is that drinking olive oil and lemon juice before bed or in the morning can boost collagen production. Collagen is a protein that acts as the main building block for your skin. It gives skin its elasticity and firmness. Supporters say that taking the shot regularly helps improve skin from the inside out, helping you enjoy plump and youthful-looking skin.

What science says: Research offers partial support, but not for the combo itself. Olive oil contains healthy fats and polyphenols that can support collagen production. On the other hand, vitamin C in lemons is important for collagen synthesis and helps protect the skin from free radicals. Both ingredients are also staples of the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to healthy ageing and longevity. That said, there’s little proof that small nightly doses make a noticeable difference, especially if you already get enough vitamin C from food.

Ease Digestive Issues

Many people turn olive oil and lemon juice shots into a nighttime ritual to help digestion. The logic is that olive oil lubricates the intestinal tract, while lemon juice stimulates gastric juice. When you combine the two, they might encourage better digestion, reduce that overly full feeling at night and support regular bowel movements. This claim is very appealing if you’re dealing with constipation.

What science says: There’s currently no evidence that olive oil and lemon juice work better together for digestion. However, both olive oil and lemon juice have been used individually as natural remedies for constipation.

Flush Out Gallstones and Treat Kidney Stones

This is perhaps one of the dramatic claims. You may have heard that taking the mixture on an empty stomach, especially first thing in the morning, helps cleanse the gallbladder. The belief is that this process breaks up gallstones and stimulates the gallbladder to release them, which then pass through your stool. Some people also say that olive oil and lemon juice shots can help treat kidney stones.

What science says: This claim is mainly a myth, so drinking olive oil and lemon juice will not help you pass a gallstone or treat kidney stones. People who try gallbladder cleansing may see what looks like gallstones in their stool the next day. Those are actually just globs of juice, oil and other material from the cleanse.

Treat Joint Pain

Wellness enthusiasts on social media credit olive oil and lemon juice for better joint comfort. Some even go as far as saying the concoction helps them reduce stiffness and ease joint pain.

What science says: There’s no evidence that consuming olive oil and lemon juice together can directly treat joint pain. Olive oil contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. Lemon juice also has significant anti-inflammatory properties due to its vitamin C content. While this doesn’t make the mixture a joint pain cure, the ingredients themselves can help support joint health.

Aid in Weight Loss

The idea that olive oil and lemon juice shots can help you lose weight is tied to the claims about detox and laxative effects. Rumor has it that the mixture also helps your body burn fat more efficiently and control appetite. 

What science says: Again, science points to the individual ingredients and not the combo. Vitamin C is essential in your body’s production of carnitine, a natural substance in your body that transports fat into cells to be broken down for energy. That means low vitamin C intake may reduce fat breakdown. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats that can support fat burning and promote fullness. Even so, there’s minimal research on olive oil and lemon juice together for weight loss, though their individual effects may still apply when combined.

How to Try It Safely

There’s no research showing that taking the mixture before bed or on an empty stomach is any more effective than using it the normal, delicious way, like drizzling it over a salad or using it as a marinade. If you’re curious enough to try the shot, keep it modest. The recipes usually include one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and the juice of half a lemon. You can drink it in one go, or dilute it with half a glass of water.

Just remember, even natural ingredients can have side effects. Olive oil contains 119 calories per tablespoon, so regular shots can add up if you’re not mindful. Lemon juice is acidic, which means frequent use can wear down tooth enamel. Both can also upset your stomach when taken on an empty belly. Plus, allergic reactions can happen. If you have acid reflux, gastritis, a sensitive stomach or a medical condition, this is one trend you’re better off skipping or running past your doctor first.

When Life Gives You Lemons, Add Olive Oil

Olive oil and lemon juice shots aren’t a magical elixir. You still need to get a good night’s sleep, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain your health. But if the ritual makes you feel good, go ahead and take the shot.