Olive oil in coffee provides a uniquely flavored beverage packed with the healthy compounds of each ingredient. When consumed as part of a healthy diet, drinking olive oil coffee may help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of many chronic conditions.
Benefits
1. Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease
Research indicates that consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day is associated with a 15% lower risk of cardiovascular disease overall and a 21% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid. Monounsaturated fats increase “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and decrease “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Additionally, olive oil’s high level of antioxidants may help prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidized cholesterol.
2. May Prevent Strokes
The properties in olive oil that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels may also protect against stroke. In one review, researchers reported that consuming 1.5 to 2.2 tablespoons of olive oil daily can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Another study found a reduced stroke risk by consuming more than half a tablespoon daily.
3. May Reduce Dementia Risk
There is evidence that higher olive oil intake may be linked with a lower risk of dementia-related mortality despite diet quality.
In a review of more than 4,500 dementia-related deaths in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), people who consumed just 1.5 teaspoons of olive oil daily were 28% less likely to die from dementia. This unique protection also covered those who were at the greatest risk of dementia due to genetics and an unhealthy diet.
4. May Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers
Research suggests that the high consumption of olive oil in Mediterranean countries may be linked to the lower risk of various types of cancer among these populations. This benefit may be linked to the presence of antioxidant-rich phenolic compounds in olive oil, including hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, which protect cells from free radicals.
In a review of studies linked with olive oil intake, researchers found evidence that high olive oil intake was linked with a 31% lower risk of any type of cancer. The impact of high olive oil intake on specific cancers included:
5. May Support Longevity and Chronic Disease Prevention
Results from a 2022 study found that consuming higher amounts of olive oil may lower the risks of premature death from all causes and certain types of diseases.
Researchers found that people who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 19% lower risk of dying from any cause, a 17% lower risk of dying from cancer, and a 29% lower risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, and an 18% lower risk of respiratory-linked mortality when compared to people who rarely consumed olive oil.
6. May Improve Gut Health
The antioxidants and monounsaturated fats in olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties that may help with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Research shows that consumption of extra-virgin oil significantly improved inflammation markers and symptoms such as bloating, constipation, incomplete bowel movements, and fecal urgency.
In another study, researchers reported that the phenols in olive oil may improve intestinal health by increasing the variety of good gut bacteria, which could help improve symptoms for people with IBD.
7. May Reduce Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
The condition known as metabolic syndrome is defined by a collection of risk factors such as hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), all of which increase your chances of developing health problems like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Results of a meta-analysis concluded that a Mediterranean diet high in olive oil may reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome, which is diagnosed when you have three or more of the following conditions:
8. Reduces Symptoms of Depression
In one study, people with severe depression had a considerable improvement in their symptoms after consuming 25 milliliters (about 1.7 tablespoons) of olive oil daily for 52 days, but the benefit did not extend to those with mild to moderate depression.
In other research, results showed a positive correlation between polyphenol intake in the Mediterranean diet and reduced depressive symptoms.
9. May Improve Inflammatory Joint Diseases
Research indicates that consuming olive oil may have advantages for people with inflammatory joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
According to one study, eating more nuts and olive oil reduced RA disease activity and inflammation indicators, with more pronounced effects for people with severe RA.
Downsides
1. Increases Your Daily Calories
Adding extra-virgin olive oil contributes to your daily caloric intake. Because olive oil has a high fat content, it is highly calorie-dense. One tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil provides about 119 calories. Though the added fats might provide a feeling of fullness, the extra calories could counteract your weight loss goals.
2. May Trigger Digestive Issues
Though olive oil may have benefits for some symptoms of digestive disorders such as inflammatory disease, consuming excessive amounts of olive oil can cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea.
3. May Elevate Bad Cholesterol Levels
Consuming excessive levels of olive oil or any fat can lead to overconsumption of saturated fats, which is a risk factor for high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, especially in people who have a higher risk of heart disease.
4. May Taste Unappealing
Depending on your preference, adding olive oil to your coffee may simply taste bad to you. Factors such as the type of olive oil can impact the taste, though any type of olive oil will have an impact on the flavor and texture of coffee. Because taste preferences are subjective, anecdotal reports suggest that people have mixed opinions of olive oil coffee.
Olive Oil Coffee vs. Bulletproof Coffee
Though olive oil coffee and bulletproof coffee add fats to coffee in a filling and energy-boosting drink, they differ in their potential benefits, which include:
Bulletproof coffee includes coffee blended with butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. It is popular among people who follow the paleo diet, ketogenic diet, or other high-fat, low-carb eating plans for burning fat at a higher-than-normal rate.
Olive oil offers benefits like improved cardiovascular health, antioxidant properties, and reduced inflammation.
How to Make Olive Oil Coffee
Recipe for Starbucks Oleato Caffé Latte Dupe
Ingredients:
12 oz oat milk1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil1 espresso shot (light roast)
Combine the oat milk and olive oil, then heat up either on the stove or in the microwave.When hot, use a milk frother or blender to combine until smooth, frothy, and fully blended.Add the espresso shot to a mug and pour the milk and olive oil mixture over the espresso.
Does the Type of Olive Oil in Coffee Matter?
Recipes for olive oil coffee typically include extra-virgin olive oil.
Research indicates that higher concentrations of phenols may provide optimal antioxidant effects. However, no conclusive research demonstrates that extra-virgin olive oil is more effective at preventing cancer, heart disease, or other illnesses.
Who Should Try Olive Oil Coffee?
You should try olive oil coffee if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy coffee and boost your health. The combination produces a unique flavor profile some have described as “velvety smooth” and “deliciously lush.”
Drinking this combination of healthy foods may be worth trying if you’re seeking natural ways to support:
Improved mood
Better brain and memory function
Heart health
Healthy gut microbiome
Relief of pain and inflammation
Weight loss
Longevity
Though adding olive oil to coffee may offer health benefits, it won’t offer a taste of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Adding olive oil to coffee was the idea of Starbucks founder Howard Schultz. This led to the development of the Starbucks Oleato product line. Though it is linked with the Mediterranean lifestyle, drinking olive oil coffee is not known as a common practice in the region.
How It Compares to Other Coffee Trends
Feature
Olive Oil Coffee
Coconut Oil Coffee
Butter Coffee (Bulletproof)
Calories (average per cup)
120-150 kcal
130-160 kcal
200-250 kcal
Healthy fats
Monounsaturated fat (heart-healthy)
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)
Saturated fats and MCTs
Energy boost
Moderate, steady
Quick due to MCTs
Sustained with mental clarity boost
Satiety
Moderate
High
Very high
Antioxidants
Yes (from both coffee and olive oil)
Yes (coffee)
Yes (coffee)
Keto-friendly
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cholesterol impact
Neutral to positive (may lower LDL)
Generally neutral
Controversial (may raise LDL in some)
Drawbacks
Newer, less common, strong
Digestive issues if too much
High in saturated fat, may spike LDL
Summary
Though its flavor profile may not appeal to everyone, olive oil coffee provides many benefits that promote heart health and fight chronic disease. The mixture of coffee and extra-virgin olive oil provides the best combination of nutrients and taste.
Though olive oil coffee can be a healthy way to enjoy your daily coffee, consuming it in moderation is key. Olive oil is a high-fat and high-calorie food that can increase your risk of adverse effects like weight gain and higher LDL levels when you consume too much of it.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Heart Association. Consuming more olive oil associated with less heart disease in Americans.
Guasch-Ferré M, Liu G, Li Y, et al. Olive oil consumption and cardiovascular risk in U.S. adults. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(15):1729-1739. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.036
Donat-Vargas C, Sandoval-Insausti H, Peñalvo JL, et al. Olive oil consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Clin Nutr. 2022;41(1):122-130. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.11.002
Tessier AJ, Cortese M, Yuan C, et al. Consumption of olive oil and diet quality and risk of dementia-related death. JAMA Network Open, 2024;7(5), e2410021. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10021
Markellos C, Ourailidou ME, Gavriatopoulou M, et al. Olive oil intake and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2022;17(1):e0261649. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261649
Guasch-Ferré M, Li Y, Willett WC, et al. Consumption of olive oil and risk of total and cause-specific mortality among U.S. adults. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 Jan 18;79(2):101-112. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.10.041
Morvaridi M, Jafarirad S, Seyedian SS, et al. The effects of extra virgin olive oil and canola oil on inflammatory markers and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2020;74(6):891-899. doi:10.1038/s41430-019-0549-z
Larussa T, Imeneo M, Luzza F. Olive tree biophenols in inflammatory bowel disease: when bitter is better. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(6):1390. doi:10.3390/ijms20061390
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is metabolic syndrome?
Seidita A, Soresi M, Giannitrapani L, et al. The clinical impact of an extra virgin olive oil enriched Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome: lights and shadows of a nutraceutical approach. Front Nutr. 2022;9:980429. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.980429
Foshati S, Ghanizadeh A, Akhlaghi M. Extra-virgin olive oil improves depression symptoms without affecting salivary cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with major depression: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2022 Feb;122(2):284-297.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2021.07.016
Ventriglio A, Sancassiani F, Contu MP, et al. Mediterranean diet and its benefits on health and mental health: a literature review. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2020;16(Suppl-1):156-164. doi:10.2174/1745017902016010156
University of Utah Health. Olive oil in coffee? What’s up with that?
Healthcare Communications Network. People are consuming excessive amounts of olive oil: leading to consequences for the gastrointestinal tract.
Krenek AM, Mathews A, Guo J, et al. Recipe for heart health: a randomized crossover trial on cardiometabolic effects of extra virgin olive oil within a whole‐food plant‐based vegan diet. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2024;13(15). doi:10.1161/jaha.124.035034
Clean Eatz Kitchen. Is olive oil in coffee healthy?
Integris Health. Olive oil in coffee: Is this a combination worth trying?
Harvard Health Publishing. Is extra-virgin olive oil extra healthy?
Starbucks. Starbucks Oleato.
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