Who should not take olive oil?

Who Should Not Take Olive Oil? A Practical, Honest Look

Olive oil — especially extra virgin olive oil — is often treated like a health miracle. It’s praised as heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory, and essential for a “clean” diet. In the wellness world, it’s almost sacred.

But here’s the honest truth from years of working in the health products space:

Olive oil isn’t for everyone — and it’s often misunderstood.

This isn’t about fear-mongering or demonising fats. It’s about using olive oil appropriately, rather than assuming it’s universally beneficial just because it’s natural.

Let’s talk about who should not take olive oil — or at least shouldn’t be using it daily or in large amounts.

1. People Who Struggle With Fat Digestion

From a holistic point of view, digestion matters more than food trends.

Olive oil is still a concentrated fat, and for people with sluggish digestion, too much of it can lead to:

• Bloating
• Heaviness after meals
• Loose stools
• Nausea

If your body struggles to break down fats efficiently, adding tablespoons of olive oil to every meal won’t help — no matter how “healthy” it’s marketed.

In traditional dietary systems, fats are introduced carefully, not poured liberally over everything.

2. People Using Olive Oil as a “Health Fix.”

One of the biggest issues I see is olive oil being used as a shortcut.

People add olive oil to:

• Poor-quality diets
• Highly processed meals
• Excess carbohydrates
• Overeating patterns

And then expect it to cancel everything out.

It doesn’t work that way.

If you’re using olive oil to compensate for an unbalanced lifestyle, you’re likely doing more harm than good. Calories still count. Fat still needs to be metabolised. And excess — even from “good” sources — still creates strain.

3. People Who Believe More Is Always Better

Extra virgin olive oil has been marketed so aggressively that many people assume:

“If a little is good, more must be better.”

This is where olive oil becomes overhyped.

In reality:

• It’s easy to overconsume
• It adds up fast calorically
• It can displace other beneficial fats and nutrients

From a lifestyle-based approach, olive oil should support your diet — not dominate it.

4. People Sensitive to Oils (Yes, It Happens)

Not everyone reacts well to oils, even high-quality ones.

Some people experience:

• Digestive discomfort
• Skin reactions
• Headaches
• A general feeling of heaviness

This doesn’t mean olive oil is “bad.”
It means your body has preferences, and respecting them matters more than following trends.

Holistic health has always been about listening to the body — not forcing foods because they’re fashionable.

5. People Using Olive Oil Incorrectly

Extra virgin olive oil is often misused.

Common mistakes include:

• Heating it too aggressively
• Cooking with it at high temperatures
• Storing it poorly
• Buying low-quality or oxidised oil

If olive oil doesn’t suit your cooking habits, using it anyway “because it’s healthy” doesn’t make sense.

Health isn’t just about what you use — it’s about how you use it.

So… Should You Avoid Olive Oil Completely?

Not necessarily.

But you should avoid blindly following the hype.

From a practical, lifestyle-based perspective:

• Olive oil is a tool, not a cure
• Quality matters more than quantity
• It should suit your body, not just nutrition headlines

At our core, we believe real health comes from balance, awareness, and personalisation — not from putting one ingredient on a pedestal.

A More Grounded Way to Use Olive Oil

If olive oil works for you:

• Use it in moderation
• Choose genuine extra virgin quality
• Use it intentionally, not automatically
• Combine it with a varied, whole-food lifestyle

And if it doesn’t?
That’s not failure — that’s self-awareness.

Final Thought

Olive oil has benefits — but it’s not universally essential, and it’s certainly not magic.

The healthiest approach is the one that:

• Respects your body
• Avoids overconsumption
• Prioritises real nourishment over trends

That’s the philosophy we stand behind — and the one that truly supports long-term wellbeing.

• Who should not take olive oil
• Who should avoid olive oil
• Is olive oil bad for some people
• Extra virgin olive oil is not for everyone
• Olive oil overhyped health benefits
• High-quality extra virgin olive oil guide
• Choosing the right healthy fats
• Alternatives to olive oil for cooking
• Best oils for a balanced lifestyle
• Healthy fat choices for everyday use