Can Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Really Treat Health Conditions?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClaims About the CombinationBenefitsIs the Combination a Super Duo?What the Research SaysShould You Try It?Moderation Is Key

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Claims About the Combination

Benefits

Is the Combination a Super Duo?

What the Research Says

Should You Try It?

Moderation Is Key

Some people claim that drinking olive oil and lemon juice can treat various conditions, like kidney stones, joint pain, and premature aging. While olive oil and lemon juice are nutrient-rich, there’s no scientific evidence that combining them has additional health benefits.

A quick online search results in many claims about drinking olive oil and lemon juice. Below, we’ll cover the most common claims and whether there’s evidence to support them.

Cleanses and Detoxes

Cleanses and detoxes are based on the belief that toxins accumulate in the body and can be cleansed or detoxed with certain dietary changes, like drinking olive oil and lemon juice.

Some people claim these cleanses improve energy levels, sexual health, mental health,treat diabetes, and more. However, according to experts at Harvard Health, there is no scientific reality that you can cleanse your body through diet.

Olive oil and lemon juice contain antioxidants and polyphenols, which are promoted as having “cleansing” benefits because they neutralize or remove free radicals.Free radicals cause cell damage, contributing to disease or illness.

How to Do a Detox Cleanse At Home

Weight Loss

You may have heard good things about lemon juice and olive oil for weight loss, but no studies support the claim.

Older research from 2005 suggests that people with adequate vitamin C levels oxidize or “burn” 30% more fat during moderate exercise than those with low vitamin C levels. This research suggests a link between low vitamin C and resistance to fat loss that has nothing to do with how often the person exercises.

21 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight—and How to Address Them

Kidney Stones and Gallstones

Olive oil and lemon juice are also said to help treat kidney stones and flush our gallstones. For example, you may have heard to drink olive oil and lemon juice on an empty stomach for gallstone treatment. It’s said to work through a laxative effect.

It’s a folk myth that drinking olive oil is a lubricant for passing kidney stones. It’s also false that drinking olive oil and lemon juice will help you pass a kidney stone or gallstone. The best methods for preventing kidney stones are to drink enough water, maintain a healthy weight for your body type, and follow a low-sodium diet.

Joint Pain

Vitamin C also has significant anti-inflammatory effects, which may help prevent inflammation-related joint pain and maintain joint health in people with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.

Joint Pain Causes and Treatment Options

Digestion

There’s no evidence to suggest that olive oil and lemon juice have benefits that improve digestion. Studies have shown that olive oil potentially benefits people with irritable bowel disease (IBD), although no large-scale randomized clinical trials have been conducted.

However, if the type of digestive-related problem you’re having is that you’re not absorbing enough nutrients from the food you’re consuming, vitamin C may help. For example, vitamin C in lemon juice has been shown to help with non-heme iron absorption.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Everything You Need to Know

Premature Aging

No specific study suggests that consuming lemon juice and olive oil together prevents premature aging. However, olive oil and lemon juice are staples in the Mediterranean diet, which is strongly associated with slowing down the aging process.

Research shows vitamin C has anti-aging effects, especially regarding the signs of aging on skin health.Research also shows that monounsaturated fats in olive oil may help prevent premature aging, including protecting against cognitive decline.

Heart Disease Treatment

Cardiovascular Health

The same monounsaturated fats in olive oil are also linked to cardiovascular benefits, including reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol anti-inflammatory properties and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Studies show that olive oil and olive leaf extract have cardiovascular health or heart health benefits, such as preventinghypertension (high blood pressure).

Vitamin C also plays numerous roles in heart health and heart disease.

There is no evidence suggesting that the combination of olive oil and lemon juice is a super duo other than you’ll be getting the benefits of both. It’s important to note that there are few randomized controlled trials on olive oil and cardiovascular health, and no studies have examined the combined effects of olive oil and lemon juice.

While some people claim lemon juice and olive oil can detoxify your body, improve digestion, treat kidney stones and joint pain, and prevent premature aging and cardiovascular disease, no evidence supports these health claims.

If you’re curious about how nutrition can help treat health issues, consult a registered dietician.

Mediterranean Diet: Food List, Health Benefits, and Risks

You should try adding lemon juice and olive oil to your diet unless you’re allergic to either ingredient or have a particular distaste for them. You should try lemon juice and olive oil in a salad dressing, dip, or marinade as an easy way to add essential nutrients to your diet.

If you do try olive oil and lemon juice, do so in moderation. While there’s no harm in combining these ingredients, excessive consumption may lead to side effects.

For example, excessive consumption of acidic foods like lemon juice can lead totooth enamel erosion.

If you’re researching olive oil for weight loss, remember that it is a calorie-dense food with 119 calories per tablespoon, and excessive consumption may lead to weight gain.

Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: Similar But Different

Summary

15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?Gorzynik-Debicka M, Przychodzen P, Cappello F, et al.Potential health benefits of olive oil and plant polyphenols.Int J Mol Sci.2018;19(3):686. doi:10.3390/ijms19030686Rossi T, Gallo C, Bassani B, Canali S, Albini A, Bruno A.Drink your prevention: beverages with cancer preventive phytochemicals.Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej.2014;124(12):713–722. doi:10.20452/pamw.2560Johnston CS.Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response.Journal of the American College of Nutrition.2005;24(3):158–165. doi:10.1080/07315724.2005.10719460Bird JK, Feskins EJM, Melse-Boonstra A.A systematized review of the relationship between obesity and vitamin C requirements.Current Developments in Nutrition.2024;8(5). doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102152Kidneystoners.org.Kidney stone myths.Harvard Health Publishing.Olive oil: can it lower your risk of dying early?Ripani U, Manzarbeitia-Arroba P, Guijarro-Leo S, Urrutia-Graña J, De Masi-De Luca A.Vitamin C may help to reduce the knee’s arthritic symptoms. Outcomes assessment of nutriceutical therapy.Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina). 2019;73(3):173–177. doi:10.5455/medarh.2019.73.173-177Vrdoljak J, Kumric M, Vilovic  M, et al.Effects of olive oil and its components on intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease.Nutrients. 2022;14(4):57. doi:10.3390/nu14040757Morelli MB, Gambardella J, Castellanos V, Trimarco V, Santulli G.Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: an update.Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(12):1227. doi:10.3390/antiox9121227Capurso C, Bellanti F, Lo Buglio A, Vendemiale G.The Mediterranean diet slows down the progression of aging and helps to prevent the onset of frailty: a narrative review.Nutrients. 2019;12(1):35. doi:10.3390/nu12010035Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Locke A, Schneiderhan J, Zick SM.Diets for health: goals and guidelines.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(11):721-728.American Dental Association.Dental erosion.FoodData Central.Oil, olive, salad or cooking.

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?Gorzynik-Debicka M, Przychodzen P, Cappello F, et al.Potential health benefits of olive oil and plant polyphenols.Int J Mol Sci.2018;19(3):686. doi:10.3390/ijms19030686Rossi T, Gallo C, Bassani B, Canali S, Albini A, Bruno A.Drink your prevention: beverages with cancer preventive phytochemicals.Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej.2014;124(12):713–722. doi:10.20452/pamw.2560Johnston CS.Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response.Journal of the American College of Nutrition.2005;24(3):158–165. doi:10.1080/07315724.2005.10719460Bird JK, Feskins EJM, Melse-Boonstra A.A systematized review of the relationship between obesity and vitamin C requirements.Current Developments in Nutrition.2024;8(5). doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102152Kidneystoners.org.Kidney stone myths.Harvard Health Publishing.Olive oil: can it lower your risk of dying early?Ripani U, Manzarbeitia-Arroba P, Guijarro-Leo S, Urrutia-Graña J, De Masi-De Luca A.Vitamin C may help to reduce the knee’s arthritic symptoms. Outcomes assessment of nutriceutical therapy.Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina). 2019;73(3):173–177. doi:10.5455/medarh.2019.73.173-177Vrdoljak J, Kumric M, Vilovic  M, et al.Effects of olive oil and its components on intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease.Nutrients. 2022;14(4):57. doi:10.3390/nu14040757Morelli MB, Gambardella J, Castellanos V, Trimarco V, Santulli G.Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: an update.Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(12):1227. doi:10.3390/antiox9121227Capurso C, Bellanti F, Lo Buglio A, Vendemiale G.The Mediterranean diet slows down the progression of aging and helps to prevent the onset of frailty: a narrative review.Nutrients. 2019;12(1):35. doi:10.3390/nu12010035Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Locke A, Schneiderhan J, Zick SM.Diets for health: goals and guidelines.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(11):721-728.American Dental Association.Dental erosion.FoodData Central.Oil, olive, salad or cooking.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Harvard Health.What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?Gorzynik-Debicka M, Przychodzen P, Cappello F, et al.Potential health benefits of olive oil and plant polyphenols.Int J Mol Sci.2018;19(3):686. doi:10.3390/ijms19030686Rossi T, Gallo C, Bassani B, Canali S, Albini A, Bruno A.Drink your prevention: beverages with cancer preventive phytochemicals.Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej.2014;124(12):713–722. doi:10.20452/pamw.2560Johnston CS.Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response.Journal of the American College of Nutrition.2005;24(3):158–165. doi:10.1080/07315724.2005.10719460Bird JK, Feskins EJM, Melse-Boonstra A.A systematized review of the relationship between obesity and vitamin C requirements.Current Developments in Nutrition.2024;8(5). doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102152Kidneystoners.org.Kidney stone myths.Harvard Health Publishing.Olive oil: can it lower your risk of dying early?Ripani U, Manzarbeitia-Arroba P, Guijarro-Leo S, Urrutia-Graña J, De Masi-De Luca A.Vitamin C may help to reduce the knee’s arthritic symptoms. Outcomes assessment of nutriceutical therapy.Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina). 2019;73(3):173–177. doi:10.5455/medarh.2019.73.173-177Vrdoljak J, Kumric M, Vilovic  M, et al.Effects of olive oil and its components on intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease.Nutrients. 2022;14(4):57. doi:10.3390/nu14040757Morelli MB, Gambardella J, Castellanos V, Trimarco V, Santulli G.Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: an update.Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(12):1227. doi:10.3390/antiox9121227Capurso C, Bellanti F, Lo Buglio A, Vendemiale G.The Mediterranean diet slows down the progression of aging and helps to prevent the onset of frailty: a narrative review.Nutrients. 2019;12(1):35. doi:10.3390/nu12010035Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866Locke A, Schneiderhan J, Zick SM.Diets for health: goals and guidelines.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(11):721-728.American Dental Association.Dental erosion.FoodData Central.Oil, olive, salad or cooking.

Harvard Health.What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?

Gorzynik-Debicka M, Przychodzen P, Cappello F, et al.Potential health benefits of olive oil and plant polyphenols.Int J Mol Sci.2018;19(3):686. doi:10.3390/ijms19030686

Rossi T, Gallo C, Bassani B, Canali S, Albini A, Bruno A.Drink your prevention: beverages with cancer preventive phytochemicals.Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej.2014;124(12):713–722. doi:10.20452/pamw.2560

Johnston CS.Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response.Journal of the American College of Nutrition.2005;24(3):158–165. doi:10.1080/07315724.2005.10719460

Bird JK, Feskins EJM, Melse-Boonstra A.A systematized review of the relationship between obesity and vitamin C requirements.Current Developments in Nutrition.2024;8(5). doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102152

Kidneystoners.org.Kidney stone myths.

Harvard Health Publishing.Olive oil: can it lower your risk of dying early?

Ripani U, Manzarbeitia-Arroba P, Guijarro-Leo S, Urrutia-Graña J, De Masi-De Luca A.Vitamin C may help to reduce the knee’s arthritic symptoms. Outcomes assessment of nutriceutical therapy.Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina). 2019;73(3):173–177. doi:10.5455/medarh.2019.73.173-177

Vrdoljak J, Kumric M, Vilovic  M, et al.Effects of olive oil and its components on intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease.Nutrients. 2022;14(4):57. doi:10.3390/nu14040757

Morelli MB, Gambardella J, Castellanos V, Trimarco V, Santulli G.Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: an update.Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(12):1227. doi:10.3390/antiox9121227

Capurso C, Bellanti F, Lo Buglio A, Vendemiale G.The Mediterranean diet slows down the progression of aging and helps to prevent the onset of frailty: a narrative review.Nutrients. 2019;12(1):35. doi:10.3390/nu12010035

Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866

Locke A, Schneiderhan J, Zick SM.Diets for health: goals and guidelines.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(11):721-728.

American Dental Association.Dental erosion.

FoodData Central.Oil, olive, salad or cooking.

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