Dr. Gundry Podcast

409: The Study That Changed How I Think About Olive Oil: 8 Science-Backed Benefits of Olive Oil Beyond Cooking

Dr. Steven Gundry | June 30, 2026

You’ve got a bottle of extra virgin olive oil sitting in your kitchen right now. I’d bet money on it.

But I’d also bet you’re only using it for one thing, cooking. Maybe the occasional salad dressing if you’re feeling fancy. What if I told you that’s like buying a Swiss Army knife and only ever using it to open envelopes?

In this episode, I’m sharing eight science-backed ways olive oil can transform your health, and none of them involve a salad. We’re talking about your brain, your joints, your gut, your skin, your ears, and even your snoring. Yes, really.

This golden liquid has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and modern research is finally catching up to what the ancients already knew. By the end of this episode, you’re going to look at that bottle on your counter completely differently.

On this episode, you’ll learn:

How you can transform your oral health by doing THIS surprising hack (01:44)
Why snoring can be your body signaling a much deeper issue (03:03)
The skin secret Cleopatra and Sophia Loren both swore by (04:20)
The incredible study that resulted in MRI-confirmed brain changes, improved memory, attention span, and executive function (05:34)
The one mistake most people are making when it comes to their ear health (07:51)
Which household item outperformed a prescription pain gel (08:45)
The virtually free morning ritual that can kickstart digestion and support a healthy bowel rhythm (09:59)
Why what you see on your scalp is really a sign of systemic inflammation (11:06)
Three things to look for on an olive oil label before you buy (12:21)

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What are Polyphenols?

Polyphenols are naturally occurring plant compounds that act as powerful antioxidants inside your body. There are over 8,000 identified types found in foods like berries, dark chocolate, green tea, and extra virgin olive oil, and the ones in olive oil are particularly impressive.

The two I get most excited about are oleocanthal and hydroxytyrosol. Oleocanthal works through the same anti-inflammatory pathway as ibuprofen, without the GI side effects. Then, hydroxytyrosol is one of the most potent antioxidants ever identified, outperforming both vitamin C and vitamin E in free radical scavenging.

Here’s the catch: polyphenol content varies wildly in olive oil. Heat, light, age, and poor processing destroy them fast. This is why knowing what to look for on the label matters.

Are Olive Oil Shots Good For You?

Yes, and this isn’t a wellness trend. This ritual is practiced by some of the world’s longest-lived populations, and science is catching up to why it works.

Taking a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil on an empty stomach each morning lubricates the gut lining, stimulates bile and digestive enzymes, and triggers a compound called oleoethanolamide that naturally supports healthy bowel rhythm. Beyond digestion, an Auburn University study found that just 30ml of olive oil daily produced MRI-confirmed improvements in memory, attention, and executive function, benefits that lasted over two years.

Start with one tablespoon every morning. Give it 30 days. The data and generations of Italian grandmothers are on your side.

Is Olive Oil Good For Your Skin?

Absolutely, and the biochemistry behind it is genuinely impressive.

Hydroxytyrosol, one of olive oil’s key polyphenols, neutralizes the free radicals responsible for accelerated skin aging and outperforms both vitamin C and vitamin E as an antioxidant. Squalene mirrors what young skin naturally produces and replenishes what aging takes away. Oleic acid strengthens the skin barrier, locking in moisture and reducing inflammation.

Use a few drops as an overnight face oil, a body moisturizer, or on rough patches. Just remember, quality matters here as much as it does internally. A low-polyphenol oil won’t deliver the same results.