Olive oil is not always healthy: Here is what you are not being told, nutritionists warn

For years, olive oil has enjoyed a glowing reputation as the crown jewel of healthy eating. Dubbed “liquid gold,” it’s long been praised for its heart-loving, inflammation-fighting powers. From the sunny kitchens of the Mediterranean to celebrity-endorsed diets and TikTok wellness trends, olive oil has become a kitchen staple with near-mythical status.

But as per a report from the Daily Mail, that golden drizzle might not be as guilt-free as you think. According to top nutrition experts, chugging olive oil in pursuit of health could actually be tipping the scales — quite literally.

The Fine Print Behind the Hype
Laurentia Campbell, a nutrition expert who advises the World Health Organization, is urging people to take a step back and examine the full picture. While olive oil has a strong scientific reputation, much of that research is based on populations already leading healthy lives — think wealthy, Mediterranean-diet-following individuals. Campbell warns that the results might not be universally applicable.

And as olive oil worship continues, seed oils like sunflower, soybean, and safflower are being demonized in wellness circles. Critics, including U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have gone as far as to say that Americans are being “unknowingly poisoned” by these oils.

But the science doesn’t exactly back that up. Experts say the research on seed oils is “mixed,” and no clear villain has been identified. The real danger, they argue, lies in the oversimplification of nutrition — and the internet’s tendency to turn complex topics into black-and-white headlines.

Too Much of a Good Thing?
According to Daily Mail's report, Nutritionist Michelle Routhenstein recently encountered a client who was drinking a cup of olive oil daily in hopes of shedding weight. The results were far from slimming. Not only did his weight loss stall, but his cholesterol also took a hit. Routhenstein explained that olive oil, while healthy in moderation, is extremely calorie-dense and contains saturated fat that can cancel out its benefits if overconsumed.

The global olive oil market, valued at $14.2 billion in 2022, is booming. With influencers like Dua Lipa drizzling it on desserts and biohackers guzzling it for “longevity,” the obsession is real. Jennifer Lopez swears by it for her glowing skin. Even Silicon Valley’s Bryan Johnson, who’s made headlines for his bizarre anti-aging regimens, sells his own brand of olive oil and includes it in his daily routine.

But experts warn: just because celebrities do it doesn’t mean you should.

Don’t Get “Health-Washed”
Campbell has one major message for the public: don’t fall victim to wellness myths spread by influencers. “Do not get health washed by influencers. Trust the science and use your head,” she said bluntly.

In the end, a light drizzle of olive oil over your salad is likely doing more good than harm. But gulping it like a miracle potion or using it to deep-fry your dinner? That could backfire.

Moderation, as always, is key. In the world of nutrition, even “liquid gold” can lose its shine.