Should You Add Olive Oil to Your Coffee?

Olive oil in coffee provides a uniquely flavored beverage packed with the healthy compounds of each ingredient. When consumed as part of a healthy diet, drinking olive oil coffee may help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of many chronic conditions.

Benefits

1. Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease

Research indicates that consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day is associated with a 15% lower risk of cardiovascular disease overall and a 21% lower risk of coronary heart disease.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid. Monounsaturated fats increase “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and decrease “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Additionally, olive oil’s high level of antioxidants may help prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidized cholesterol.

2. May Prevent Strokes

The properties in olive oil that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels may also protect against stroke. In one review, researchers reported that consuming 1.5 to 2.2 tablespoons of olive oil daily can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Another study found a reduced stroke risk by consuming more than half a tablespoon daily.

3. May Reduce Dementia Risk

There is evidence that higher olive oil intake may be linked with a lower risk of dementia-related mortality despite diet quality.

In a review of more than 4,500 dementia-related deaths in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), people who consumed just 1.5 teaspoons of olive oil daily were 28% less likely to die from dementia. This unique protection also covered those who were at the greatest risk of dementia due to genetics and an unhealthy diet.

4. May Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers

Research suggests that the high consumption of olive oil in Mediterranean countries may be linked to the lower risk of various types of cancer among these populations. This benefit may be linked to the presence of antioxidant-rich phenolic compounds in olive oil, including hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, which protect cells from free radicals.

In a review of studies linked with olive oil intake, researchers found evidence that high olive oil intake was linked with a 31% lower risk of any type of cancer. The impact of high olive oil intake on specific cancers included:

5. May Support Longevity and Chronic Disease Prevention

Results from a 2022 study found that consuming higher amounts of olive oil may lower the risks of premature death from all causes and certain types of diseases.

Researchers found that people who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 19% lower risk of dying from any cause, a 17% lower risk of dying from cancer, and a 29% lower risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, and an 18% lower risk of respiratory-linked mortality when compared to people who rarely consumed olive oil.

6. May Improve Gut Health

The antioxidants and monounsaturated fats in olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties that may help with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Research shows that consumption of extra-virgin oil significantly improved inflammation markers and symptoms such as bloating, constipation, incomplete bowel movements, and fecal urgency.

In another study, researchers reported that the phenols in olive oil may improve intestinal health by increasing the variety of good gut bacteria, which could help improve symptoms for people with IBD.

7. May Reduce Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

The condition known as metabolic syndrome is defined by a collection of risk factors such as hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), all of which increase your chances of developing health problems like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Results of a meta-analysis concluded that a Mediterranean diet high in olive oil may reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome, which is diagnosed when you have three or more of the following conditions:

8. Reduces Symptoms of Depression

In one study, people with severe depression had a considerable improvement in their symptoms after consuming 25 milliliters (about 1.7 tablespoons) of olive oil daily for 52 days, but the benefit did not extend to those with mild to moderate depression.

In other research, results showed a positive correlation between polyphenol intake in the Mediterranean diet and reduced depressive symptoms.

9. May Improve Inflammatory Joint Diseases

Research indicates that consuming olive oil may have advantages for people with inflammatory joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

According to one study, eating more nuts and olive oil reduced RA disease activity and inflammation indicators, with more pronounced effects for people with severe RA.

Downsides

1. Increases Your Daily Calories

Adding extra-virgin olive oil contributes to your daily caloric intake. Because olive oil has a high fat content, it is highly calorie-dense. One tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil provides about 119 calories. Though the added fats might provide a feeling of fullness, the extra calories could counteract your weight loss goals.

2. May Trigger Digestive Issues

Though olive oil may have benefits for some symptoms of digestive disorders such as inflammatory disease, consuming excessive amounts of olive oil can cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea.

3. May Elevate Bad Cholesterol Levels

Consuming excessive levels of olive oil or any fat can lead to overconsumption of saturated fats, which is a risk factor for high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, especially in people who have a higher risk of heart disease.

4. May Taste Unappealing

Depending on your preference, adding olive oil to your coffee may simply taste bad to you. Factors such as the type of olive oil can impact the taste, though any type of olive oil will have an impact on the flavor and texture of coffee. Because taste preferences are subjective, anecdotal reports suggest that people have mixed opinions of olive oil coffee.

How to Make Olive Oil Coffee

Recipe for Starbucks Oleato Caffé Latte Dupe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz oat milk
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 espresso shot (light roast)

1. Combine the oat milk and olive oil, then heat up either on the stove or in the microwave.
2. When hot, use a milk frother or blender to combine until smooth, frothy, and fully blended.
3. Add the espresso shot to a mug and pour the milk and olive oil mixture over the espresso.

Who Should Try Olive Oil Coffee?

You should try olive oil coffee if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy coffee and boost your health. The combination produces a unique flavor profile some have described as “velvety smooth” and “deliciously lush.”

Drinking this combination of healthy foods may be worth trying if you’re seeking natural ways to support:

• Improved mood
• Better brain and memory function
• Heart health
• Healthy gut microbiome
• Relief of pain and inflammation
• Weight loss
• Longevity

Though adding olive oil to coffee may offer health benefits, it won’t offer a taste of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Adding olive oil to coffee was the idea of Starbucks founder Howard Schultz. This led to the development of the Starbucks Oleato product line. Though it is linked with the Mediterranean lifestyle, drinking olive oil coffee is not known as a common practice in the region.

How It Compares to Other Coffee Trends