If you’ve ever swirled a spoonful of olive oil before bed wondering if it’s actually doing anything, you’re not alone. Drinking olive oil has become a quietly popular ritual, but the science behind it—and the brands behind the bottles—deserves a closer look.

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Polyphenol content (Ancient Roots): High (exact mg/kg not disclosed by brand) ·
Certification: Not organic per independent review ·
Price (250ml): Approx. £22–£25 ·
Source region: Volcanic Tuscan soil, Italy ·
Processing time: Cold-pressed within 24 hours of harvest ·
Awards: Not specified in available sources

Quick snapshot

1
Confirmed facts

2
What’s unclear
  • Exact polyphenol content in mg/kg
  • Whether pesticides are used
  • Whether it won any awards
  • How it compares to other high-polyphenol brands not reviewed

3
Timeline signal
  • Apr 2024: Artisan Olive Oil Company publishes blog about Ancient Roots
  • May 2024: Independent critique highlights missing organic certification and production disclosure
  • 2024 (ongoing): Aeons markets Ancient Roots on Amazon and own site as award-winning high-polyphenol EVOO

4
What’s next
  • Expect more independent reviews comparing polyphenol content across brands
  • UK buyers will likely push for clearer production transparency
  • Brand may update certifications if demand grows

Key facts: Ancient Roots Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Eight product details, one takeaway: the brand leans heavily on origin and processing speed, but independent scrutiny reveals gaps in certification and award claims.

Attribute Value
Product name Ancient Roots Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Brand Aeons (Dr. Sarah Brewer)
Origin Volcanic Tuscan soil, Italy
Processing Cold-pressed within 24 hours
Polyphenols High (exact mg not published)
Organic No (according to independent review)
Price (250ml) ~£22–£25
Purchase link aeons.co.uk

The implication: without third-party lab results or organic certification, claims of “high polyphenols” and “award-winning” rest on the brand’s word alone.

What happens if you take a spoonful of olive oil every day?

Heart health and polyphenols

Digestive effects

  • GoodRx notes that drinking olive oil doesn’t boost benefits over using it in meals, and that adding it to food helps nutrient absorption (GoodRx (US health information platform)).
  • There is no research showing that taking olive oil on an empty stomach increases its benefits (same GoodRx source).

Skin and hair benefits

  • Topical use of olive oil is common, but oral consumption for skin and hair lacks robust human trials; existing evidence comes from animal or in vitro studies (PMC – same review article).
Bottom line: Taking a spoonful daily is safe for most adults, but the claimed benefits are tied to polyphenol content (needs ≥5 mg/20 g for the EFSA claim). For UK buyers: check the harvest date and ask for lab results. For those without health concerns: 1–2 tablespoons per day is plenty.

Is it good to drink a shot of olive oil every day?

What the science says

  • The EFSA-approved wording states that olive oil polyphenols contribute to protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress (EUR-Lex – Regulation 432/2012).
  • GoodRx reports that 1–2 tablespoons daily is generally sufficient (GoodRx).

Potential downsides

  • Olive oil is calorie-dense (119 kcal per tablespoon) and overconsumption may contribute to weight gain.
  • Some medications, particularly blood thinners, may interact with high doses of olive oil polyphenols (consult a doctor).

Who should avoid it

  • People with gallbladder issues or fat malabsorption should be cautious.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women should stick to dietary use rather than concentrated doses.

The trade-off: a daily shot delivers polyphenols but also calories; the benefit is maximised when the oil meets the EFSA threshold, which Ancient Roots has not publicly proven.

What olive oil is good to drink every day?

Qualities of a drinkable olive oil

  • Look for a clear harvest date (within the last 12–18 months).
  • Prefer high polyphenol content (>250 mg/kg), ideally with a lab certificate.
  • Cold-pressed and unfiltered oils retain more antioxidants.

How to choose high-polyphenol EVOO

  • Check the label for the EFSA health claim wording.
  • Independent labs like the International Olive Council provide testing standards (International Olive Council).

Organic vs non-organic

  • Organic certification (EU organic logo) ensures no synthetic pesticides. Independent review notes Ancient Roots does not carry this (HighPolyphenolOliveOil.co.uk – independent UK review).
  • Organic is preferred but not essential if the producer follows sustainable practices and publishes test results.

The pattern: high-polyphenol EVOO that discloses its lab results and harvest date is a safer bet than one that only marketing copy.

Which is the best olive oil in the world?

Global rankings and awards

  • TasteAtlas 2024 list includes brands from Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal; Ancient Roots is not listed.
  • No independent award records for Ancient Roots were found in available sources.

How Ancient Roots compares

  • According to the brand’s product page, Ancient Roots is described as “award-winning” but no specific award name or year is provided (Aeons product page (brand’s own claim)).
  • Without verifiable awards, “best in the world” claims remain marketing speak.

The catch: Ancient Roots may be a quality oil, but it lacks the independent recognition that would place it on global leaderboards.

How to spot fake olive oil?

Check labels and certifications

Sensory tests

  • Real EVOO should smell grassy, peppery, or fruity, not rancid or musty.
  • A quick taste: a good EVOO stings the back of the throat (sign of oleocanthal, a polyphenol).

Common pitfalls

  • Beware of blends labelled “pure olive oil” or “light olive oil” – these are refined.
  • No batch number or harvest date on the bottle is a red flag.

Why this matters: even premium-priced bottles can be adulterated; the UK market saw several fraud cases in 2023–2024. A £22 bottle should come with traceable documentation.

Confirmed facts

  • Ancient Roots is not organic certified
  • It is cold-pressed within 24 hours of harvest
  • It is sold by Aeons and on Amazon UK
  • Dr. Sarah Brewer is associated with the brand

What’s unclear

  • Exact polyphenol content in mg/kg
  • Whether pesticides are used in cultivation
  • Whether it has won any awards
  • How it compares to other high-polyphenol EVOO brands not independently reviewed

Quotes from the conversation

Ancient Roots does not appear to be an organic product.

Independent blog (highpolyphenololiveoil.co.uk – UK olive oil review site)

Ancient Roots olive oil supports heart and skin health.

Dr. Sarah Brewer (brand founder, via Amazon product description)

Drinking olive oil does not provide more benefits than using it in meals, and adding it to food helps the body absorb nutrients better.

GoodRx (US health information platform)

The upshot

UK buyers considering Ancient Roots face a choice: pay £22–£25 for a stylishly marketed EVOO with no organic certification or third-party polyphenol data, or spend the same amount on a certified organic, lab-tested alternative. The brand’s claims rest on its own word.

What to watch

If Ancient Roots publishes independent lab results or obtains organic certification, it could leapfrog competitors. Until then, the gap between marketing and transparency remains wide.

Additional sources

highpolyphenololiveoil.co.uk

For a deeper look at whether this high-polyphenol Tuscan oil justifies its premium price tag, see our full Ancient Roots review.

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Frequently asked questions

Can drinking olive oil help with sleep?

Some anecdotal reports suggest a small dose before bed may aid relaxation due to healthy fats, but no robust clinical study supports a direct sleep benefit. The anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols may contribute indirectly.

What is the best time to drink olive oil for metabolism?

There is no research showing that timing matters. Taking it with a meal (rather than on an empty stomach) may improve nutrient absorption from the food, as GoodRx notes.

Is it safe to drink olive oil every day for weight loss?

Olive oil is calorie-dense (119 kcal per tablespoon). Replacing less healthy fats with olive oil can support weight management, but additional calories can hinder weight loss. Moderation is key.

Does organic certification matter for olive oil?

Organic certification ensures no synthetic pesticides or fertilisers are used. It’s not mandatory for quality, but it provides third-party verification. Ancient Roots lacks this certification, per independent review.

What does high polyphenol mean in olive oil?

Polyphenols are plant compounds with antioxidant activity. In olive oil, the EFSA approves a health claim only when the oil contains at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol derivatives per 20 g, which qualifies as “high polyphenol”.

How long does a bottle of extra virgin olive oil last after opening?

Typically 12–18 months from harvest when stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, aim to use within 3–6 months to maintain freshness.

Can I cook with Ancient Roots olive oil or is it only for drinking?

The brand markets it as a drinking oil, but it can be used for low-heat cooking or drizzling. For high-heat cooking, a refined olive oil is more suitable due to a higher smoke point.

For UK buyers shopping at £22–£25 per 250ml bottle, the choice is clear: either trust the brand’s marketing, or seek a fully documented, lab-tested alternative that shows its harvest date, polyphenol count, and certification. The evidence favours the latter.