What Science Says About Olive Oil and Lemon Juice for Treating Health Conditions

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.

1. For Cleansing and Detoxing

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, experts say there is no scientific reality that you can cleanse your body through diet. 

2. For Weight Loss

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

However, specific nutrients in lemon juice, like vitamin C, and nutrients in olive oil, like multi-chain fatty acids (MUFAS), are associated with weight loss. That’s because a lack of adequate nutrients, like vitamin C, may reduce your body’s ability to break down fat. This is demonstrated by low vitamin C levels in people with obesity.

3. For Kidney Stones and Gallstones

Olive oil and lemon juice are also said to help treat kidney stones and flush out gallstones. For example, you may have heard that drinking olive oil and lemon juice on an empty stomach can help treat gallstones. 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.

4. For Joint Pain

There’s also no evidence to suggest you can treat joint pain by consuming olive oil and lemon juice. That said, the oleic acid in olive oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.

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.

5. For Digestive Issues

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 inflammatory 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.

6. For 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.

7. For Cardiovascular Disease

The same monounsaturated fats found in olive oil are also linked to cardiovascular benefits, including reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol, anti-inflammatory properties, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

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

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

Is the Combination a Super Duo?

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. 

Should You Try It?

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.

Although there is no research to support health claims, there is no harm in adding lemon juice and olive oil to your diet unless you’re allergic to either ingredient or have a particular distaste for them. You can 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’re curious about how nutrition can help treat health issues, consult a registered dietician.

Moderation Is Key

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 to tooth 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.