Is adding olive oil to coffee good for you?: Separating Health Claims from Hype

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2022 study, consuming olive oil has been linked to a lower risk of premature death from all causes. This and other findings have fueled a viral trend of adding this healthy fat to coffee, prompting many to ask: is adding olive oil to coffee good for you? This article explores the truth behind the trend, examining the benefits and risks of combining these two powerful ingredients.

Quick Summary

Combining olive oil and coffee offers benefits from both ingredients, such as sustained energy from healthy fats and antioxidants. Risks include high calories, potential digestive issues, and nutrient imbalance. Proper emulsification is crucial for texture and taste, while moderate consumption is advised to avoid calorie overload and gut discomfort.

Key Points

Moderate Calorie Intake: One tablespoon of olive oil adds around 120 calories, which can impact weight management if not accounted for in daily caloric goals.
Choose EVOO and Emulsify: For the best taste and texture, use high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil and thoroughly blend it into your coffee to avoid a greasy residue.
Potential Digestive Effects: Be mindful of possible digestive issues, as the combination of coffee and olive oil can have a laxative effect on some individuals.
Not a Meal Replacement: While filling, olive oil coffee is not a nutritionally complete substitute for a balanced breakfast rich in fiber, protein, and other micronutrients.
Antioxidant and Sustained Energy Benefits: Combining the two can provide a steady energy boost and an antioxidant-rich start to the day, though these benefits are also available from consuming the ingredients separately.
Flavor and Texture: Olive oil can add a creamy, velvety texture and unique flavor notes, making for an enhanced coffee experience for those who enjoy the taste.

Understanding the Individual Ingredients

To determine the value of adding olive oil to coffee, it is essential to first understand the properties of each component separately. Both olive oil and coffee are celebrated for their individual health benefits, which have been extensively studied.

The Health Powerhouse of Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is a staple of the Mediterranean diet and is renowned for its nutritional profile. Its primary benefits include:

Heart-Healthy Fats: EVOO is rich in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which can improve cholesterol levels and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Rich in Antioxidants: Olive oil contains polyphenols and other antioxidants that combat free radicals, reduce inflammation, and may lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Supports Longevity: Studies suggest a correlation between higher olive oil consumption and lower mortality rates.

The Benefits of Your Daily Coffee Fix

Coffee is more than just a morning energy boost. It contains a wealth of compounds that contribute to overall health.

Antioxidant Source: Coffee provides antioxidants and plant compounds with health benefits.
Brain Function: Caffeine can enhance cognitive function, mood, and reaction time.
Disease Risk Reduction: Regular coffee intake is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease.

The Combination: How Olive Oil and Coffee Work Together

The combination of olive oil and coffee can alter coffee's effects. Popularized by products like Starbucks' Oleato, this trend is supported by several potential advantages.

Sustained Energy and Satiety

Adding healthy fat like olive oil to coffee can lead to a more sustained energy release by slowing caffeine absorption. This may help prevent energy crashes and the urge for snacking by promoting fullness.

Gut and Heart Health

Olive oil can help neutralize some of coffee's acidity, potentially benefiting those with sensitive stomachs. Both ingredients possess anti-inflammatory properties that may offer a combined effect. Their individual links to heart health suggest the combination could be a heart-healthy choice.

Enhancing Flavor and Texture

When properly mixed, adding EVOO to coffee creates a rich, velvety texture. The specific olive oil used can add nutty or fruity notes that complement the coffee's flavor.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While appealing, adding olive oil to coffee has potential drawbacks to consider.

Caloric Density

Olive oil is calorie-dense, with about 120 calories per tablespoon. This added intake can hinder weight management efforts if not factored into daily caloric goals.

Digestive Issues

Olive oil has a laxative effect, especially in larger amounts. Combined with coffee's digestive stimulation, this could cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea in some individuals.

Nutrient Imbalance

Using olive oil coffee as a meal replacement, particularly on ketogenic diets, is not nutritionally ideal. It provides calories from fat but lacks essential nutrients, fiber, and protein found in a balanced meal.

Olive Oil Coffee vs. Other Trends

This trend is often compared to 'Bulletproof Coffee,' another fat-in-coffee drink. Though similar, they have key differences.

Comparison of Coffee Trends


Feature	Olive Oil Coffee	Bulletproof Coffee	Standard Black Coffee
Healthy Fats	Monounsaturated fat (oleic acid)	Saturated fat, Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)	None
Energy Boost	Moderate, steady energy release	Quick energy from MCTs, sustained with butter	Fast, sometimes followed by a crash
Satiety	Moderate feeling of fullness	Very high, helps curb appetite	Low
Antioxidants	Yes (from olive oil and coffee)	Yes (from coffee, some from grass-fed butter)	Yes
Keto-friendly	Yes	Yes, traditionally used for ketosis	Yes
Cholesterol Impact	Neutral to positive (lowers LDL)	Controversial (may raise LDL in some)	Neutral
Taste Profile	Velvety, nutty/fruity notes	Creamy, rich, buttery	Bitter, dependent on roast

How to Prepare and Drink Olive Oil Coffee

For those interested in trying this trend, proper preparation is key.

Choose High-Quality EVOO: Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a mild flavor. Avoid robust, peppery oils which can negatively impact the taste.
Start Small: Begin with a teaspoon and gradually increase to a tablespoon based on your tolerance and taste.
Emulsify Correctly: Blending hot coffee and olive oil for 30-60 seconds in a blender or using an immersion blender is crucial for a smooth texture. Stirring alone will not work.
Experiment with Flavor: Consider adding cinnamon, honey, or oat milk to enhance the taste.

Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective

So, is adding olive oil to coffee good for you? It can be a way to incorporate healthy fats and antioxidants, potentially offering sustained energy and satiety. However, its high caloric content and potential digestive effects necessitate moderation. While it provides some benefits, many of these can be gained from consuming olive oil and coffee separately within a balanced diet. For many, a nutrient-rich breakfast with olive oil dressing is a more complete option. The decision to try olive oil coffee depends on personal health goals, taste, and digestive tolerance. If you try it, consume it in moderation and observe how your body reacts.

For additional information on olive oil's health benefits, the University of Utah Health provides a helpful overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, olive oil coffee is not a nutritionally complete meal replacement. While it provides a caloric and fat-rich boost that can increase satiety, it lacks the essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber found in a balanced breakfast.

Adding fat to coffee may increase feelings of fullness and help with appetite control, which some people find beneficial for weight management. However, the high caloric density of olive oil (around 120 calories per tablespoon) can lead to unintentional weight gain if not managed carefully.

To prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy texture, you must emulsify the olive oil and coffee. This is best done by blending them together for 30-60 seconds in a blender or using a hand-held frother.

Yes, for some individuals, the combination can cause digestive issues. Olive oil is known to have a laxative effect, and combined with coffee's acidity and stimulating properties, it can lead to bloating, gas, or diarrhea.

The choice between olive oil and butter depends on personal preference and health goals. Olive oil contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, while butter (specifically grass-fed) contains saturated fats and MCT oil. Olive oil may have a positive impact on cholesterol, while bulletproof coffee's high saturated fat content can be controversial.

It is recommended to use high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with a mild, delicate flavor. A robust, peppery oil can overpower the taste of the coffee. Delicate or fruity notes tend to pair best.

While high heat can degrade some of the polyphenols in olive oil over time, adding it to hot coffee is unlikely to cause significant damage to the overall nutritional profile, especially when consumed shortly after preparation. Some antioxidants may be minimally affected.