Extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon have long reigned supreme in the worlds of healthy cooking and home remedies. Now the duo has found a new role: a nightly wellness shot that’s been making the rounds on social media. Poured into a cup rather than drizzled onto a salad, this simple combo has been touted as a small but mighty nighttime ritual that supports everything from glowing skin to smoother digestion.
When taken together in the evening, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice are said to act synergistically to create a gently purifying antioxidant blend. Devotees claim the combination supports the immune system, encourages collagen production, and helps the body reset overnight.
The timing appears to be key. The tangy mixture is meant to be taken before bed in order to support digestion, encourage regularity, and promote deeper sleep.
The after-dinner effect
Here’s how it’s supposed to work: the olive oil helps lubricate the intestinal tract, while lemon juice stimulates the production of gastric juices. Together, they encourage smoother digestion and more efficient intestinal transit, which can translate into feeling less full at night so that you get a more blissful rest.
A tablespoon of oil mixed with the juice of half a lemon is also described as being supportive to the liver. In wellness circles, the drink is credited with a draining, detoxifying, and purifying action that may assist the body’s natural detox processes and help counter occasional constipation.
Beyond digestion, fans point to broader effects: the anti-inflammatory compounds in olive oil, along with lemon’s plant antioxidants and vitamins, are associated with heart health, joint comfort, and healthier cholesterol levels.
At a glance, all the claimed benefits include:
- Support for digestion
- Help with occasional constipation
- Detox-supporting effect
- Support for normal liver function
- Anti-inflammatory activity
- Joint comfort
- Support for healthy cholesterol levels
- Cardiovascular support
- Brighter-looking complexion
Why before bed?
Evening is considered the ideal moment for this ritual. Some wellness influencers note that olive oil contains small amounts of compounds linked to the body’s sleep-wake cycle, while its soothing, satiating quality may help you feel more relaxed. Not to mention: When digestion runs more smoothly, you’re less likely to feel bloated or uncomfortable at night, which in turn can make it easier to drift off into dreamland—even after a heavy meal.
Does it really work?
All this certainly sounds great, but is there any scientific evidence to support all of these claims? Well, sort of—but only loosely.
Olive oil and lemon juice do, of course, offer plenty of health benefits independently. In studies, olive oil is consistently associated with cardiovascular benefits when it’s part of an overall diet. And, there is even some emerging clinical-trial evidence that extra virgin olive oil can improve bowel movement frequency and constipation.
As for lemon juice, it’s well established that vitamin C—which lemon juice obviously contains—is required for collagen synthesis as well as a strong immune system; however, there’s not much proof that consuming a little bit of lemon juice at night will make any noticeable difference in your skin or immunity, especially if you already get enough vitamin C with your meals during the day.
In terms of detoxing the liver, there’s not a ton of evidence there either. While olive oil does contain a little melatonin, the reported concentrations are pretty tiny, and there’s no solid proof that a tablespoon of olive oil before bed delivers enough melatonin to impact sleep. Same goes the liver claims. The liver’s whole function is detoxification anyway and the most effective ways to support that are more about cutting back on alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet.
In other words, there’s no substitution for keeping healthy the old school way. You’d probably get better results by following the Mediterranean diet, eating plenty of fiber, and exercising regularly.
How to take it
That said, there’s no real harm in giving this viral trend a try—as long as you’re not suffering from gastritis, acid reflux, or a sensitive stomach. Here’s the recipe:
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
Mix and drink in one go just before bedtime. If drinking it straight feels too intense, dilute the mixture with half a glass of water.
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