The olive oil coffee trend has its roots in the rich culinary tradition of Italy, where a daily spoonful of extra virgin olive oil is a cherished habit. In recent times, some coffee companies have taken a leaf out of the Italian tradition, infusing their coffee with extra virgin olive oil.
Putting olive oil in coffee is hardly a tradition in Italy, but that didn't stop Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz from launching a series of beverages that do just that in Milan, the city that inspired his coffee house empire.
Packed with health benefits
Both olive oil and coffee are packed with compounds that promote good overall health. They are great components to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle. Olive oil: Olive oil is an oleic acid—it is rich in unsaturated fats and loaded with antioxidants.
These drinks, currently only available in Italy, have sparked interest and curiosity among coffee enthusiasts worldwide. While the US market has not yet received these drinks, some individuals may be tempted to add a spoonful of olive oil to their morning coffee at home.
In the Mediterranean, many people start their day with a quarter cup of olive oil. The oleic acid in olive oil has a satiating effect. As mentioned above, it also slows the absorption of other nutrients, so you'll feel full longer and won't need to reach for that mid-morning sugary snack.
Starting your day with olive oil may provide numerous health benefits, from supporting digestion to promoting heart health. Incorporating a small amount of high-quality extra virgin olive oil into your morning routine could help boost metabolism, improve skin health, and aid in weight management.
😂 According to Benny, his friend Nino introduced him to this unique tradition, reportedly passed down from some Italian elders. They claimed that taking a shot of olive oil before drinking can help prevent hangovers and make it "impossible" to feel the aftereffects of a night out.
Medical experts advise using unsweetened cocoa powder to boost heart health via powerful flavour flavanols. This addition increases nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and improves overall blood circulation.
Heart Health: The rich nutrients of Oleic acid in EVOO can help reduce bad cholesterol and support healthly cardiovascular function. Digestive Support: Natural compounds promote bile flow and may ease constipation. Antioxidant Protection: Polyphenols and vitamin C fight can help fight oxidative stress.
Adding cinnamon to your morning cup can help reduce hyperglycemia, increase fat burning, and decrease inflammation (3). All of these are incredibly beneficial to speed up your metabolism and help with weight loss. Cinnamon is a great addition to any herbal, green, or black tea, as well as coffee.
Sometimes called the “lemon coffee hack” or “fat‑burning lemon coffee,” this is one of the most viral forms.
Brew an 8-ounce cup of coffee the way you normally would. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Put the mixture in a blender for 30 seconds or shake the coffee and olive oil vigorously in a sealed jar. Enjoy!
Take it on an empty stomach to activate your metabolism: A tablespoon of EVOO on an empty stomach protects your stomach, promotes easier digestion, helps your body better absorb the nutrients from the food you eat later and activates your metabolism from the morning, which makes it easier to burn fat during the day.
The healthy fats in olive oil could facilitate the absorption of nutrients and reduce gastrointestinal discomfort. Drinking olive oil before bed may lead to less bloating and indigestion during the night, allowing for a more restful sleep.
Mornings are reserved for milky drinks, such as a cappuccino or caffè latte, and it is often frowned upon to drink milkier beverages later in the day. After 11 a.m., Italians switch to espresso-based drinks like a simple shot of espresso or a macchiato instead of a milkier cup of coffee.
Olive oil contains healthy fats which are much better than saturated or trans fat and are easy to digest and assimilate efficiently. Italians also choose to eat and use fresh foods in their meal preparation rather than processed items.
Dietary intake of olive oil, in particular the virgin type, has been shown to improve several cardiovascular risk factors including obesity (2), hypertension (2, 3), diabetes (4), dyslipidemia (5), endothelial dysfunction (6), and thrombosis (7).
Here's a quick guide: Morning: Kickstart your metabolism, improve digestion, and feel full longer by taking 1-2 tablespoons on an empty stomach or with breakfast. Pre-Meal: Reduce appetite and stabilize blood sugar by consuming 1-2 tablespoons 15-60 minutes before eating.
High in Calories: One tablespoon has around 120 calories and can contribute to high-calorie intake. Be sure to measure each serving for an accurate calorie count. Digestive Issues: Some may experience mild laxative effects from consuming olive oil.
Sugar/Sugary Syrups
Adding sugar and sugary syrups to your coffee can lead to unhealthy spikes in blood sugar and excessive calorie intake, depending on how much you use. “One teaspoon of sugar in your cup of coffee will not have a giant impact on your overall health,” says Hollendonner.
Drinks rich in nitric oxide-boosting compounds, such as beetroot juice, green tea, and pomegranate juice, help open blood vessels and enhance circulation. These drinks aid in stimulating blood flow, lowering systolic blood pressure, and reducing the risk of arterial stiffness.
“Smoking is one of the most harmful things people can do to themselves,” Dr. Maniar says. Blood flow drops, slashing oxygen that fuels the heart, which compensates by spiking blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and can lead to hardened and narrowed arteries and blood clots causing cardiovascular disease.
While Ozempic primarily works to regulate blood sugar and appetite, extra virgin olive oil offers a broader range of benefits that contribute to optimal metabolic health and healthy aging.
They eat Mediterranean food with their pasta
They don't just have pasta for dinner. Italians serve it with an abundance of vegetables, plus beans and protein, flavored with olive oil, herbs, and spices, plus some fruit for dessert. They avoid processed food.