Starbucks has always been known for its innovative and unconventional drinks, but the latest addition to its menu has caused quite a stir. The Starbucks Olive Oil Drink, or known as the Oleato™ was introduced in Italy at the end of Feb 2023 which combines as you may have guessed olive oil and coffee. This fascinating new drink just made its way to the U.S. officially on March 23. While reviews on the taste have been a both positive and critical, many customers have shared one thing in common: unexpected trips to the bathroom.
The drink although highly unique in its own right has been cited for causing a laxative effect. In this article, we will explore the reasons why this drink is causing people to poop and discuss its potential health implications.
Image courtesy of Starbucks
What’s in Starbucks’ Olive Oil Coffee (Oleato)?
There are three different flavors in the new Oletao line: Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew, Oleato Caffé Latte, and Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso. All of them are infused with Partanna extra virgin olive in order to produce a particularly smooth and rich texture. It’s flavor is described as “sweet and lush”.
Coffee, with its high caffeine content, is already known as an effective laxative. To learn more read our article on why coffee makes you poop.
The Effects of Olive Oil
The olive oil in Starbucks’ Olive Oil Coffee is the main culprit behind its “enhanced” digestive effects. Olive oil is a type of fat that can be difficult for the body to digest, especially in large and sudden quantities. When consumed in excess, olive oil can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues.
What’s the fat content of an Oleato?
It ranges between 17 g to 34 g. The exact amount of olive oil that’s added to each cup of coffee will likely vary. But in general there’s about 17g to 34g of fat in each Oleato. For context, an average spoon of olive oil contains 14g of fat.
Personally, I love me some olive oil and use it frequently in my food. As someone who has been on the Keto diet for over 4 years, it’s a staple for me.
And since olive oil has many beneficial health effects, there were times in life when I took would take a spoonful of olive each day. When taken in moderation, taking olive oil gave me a feeling of satiety and energy which I really appreciated. But on certain days when my consumption exceeded my normal amount, my stomach would feel discomfort. While I have yet to try the Oleato, I can still empathize with the many customers who reported having to run to the bathroom after drinking it.
Part of me wonders whether changing the brand of olive oil or simply the quantity could potentially address the stomach issues that are being reported. As mentioned, Starbucks sources extra virgin olive oil for their Oleato.
Difference Between Virgin and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Virgin and extra virgin olive oil are both made from the fruit of the olive tree, but they differ in terms of how they are produced and their chemical composition. What matters for this discussion is that olive oil is considered “extra virgin” if its free fatty acid level is 0.8 percent or lower. Meanwhile, virgin olive is classified as such if it has between 0.8 percent and 2.0 percent.
In terms of digestion, both virgin and extra virgin olive oil are considered to be healthy fats that can aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut. They are also rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and improve overall digestive health.
However, as is evidenced by the customer feedback of the Oleato, consuming too much oil, even healthy fats like olive oil, can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
The Science Behind Coffee and Digestion:
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can increase bowel movements.
Caffeine stimulates the muscles in the digestive system, causing them to contract and move waste through the intestines. Additionally, coffee also contains chlorogenic acids, which can stimulate the production of bile in the liver. Bile helps break down fats and aids in digestion, leading to a more frequent bowel movement.
Caffeine is also considered a diuretic which can cause you to urinate as well.
In considering the laxative of effects of both coffee and olive oil, the Oleato can cause a near immediate trip to the bathroom for some. I actually think this can be a good thing if that’s what you’re aiming for. The problem occurs when it’s unexpected as many customers discovered.
Is the Starbucks Olive Oil Drink safe to consume?
While an unexpected trip to the bathroom isn’t life-threatening, we suggest that those with sensitive stomachs or pre-existing gastrointestinal issues avoid this drink. If you’re still interested in seeing what the hype is about, we recommend just slowly sipping it first to see how your body reacts.
Also it goes without saying you should make sure there’s a bathroom close by just in case.
Photo courtesy of Starbucks
The Starbucks Oleato: Olive Coffee
This article isn’t intended to judge the merits of this drink based on flavor. I actually would like to try it myself at some point. Rather, this information on Starbuck’s Oleato meant to inform you about some potential health effects of this new product. While some experienced stomach discomfort, it’s very possible that it may not effect you at all. The specific this olive oil coffee will naturally still vary from person to person.
Note: The trendy world of coffee is always coming up with new things to add to the world’s most magical brew. Olive is just a more recent concept as made popular by Starbucks. For many years now, the Ghee butter has been added to coffee as was popularized by Bulletproof Coffee.
Related Article: Unique Things You Can Add to Your Coffee
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