In stores, we get a lot of questions shot at us, and rightly so. We bring to you nature’s medicine, so the least we can do is explain ourselves while we’re at it. We’ve made an overview of to the questions most frequently asked, and had our nutritionist cover them for you. Sharon, enlighten us with your knowledge.

What are antioxidants and why are they good for us? 

Antioxidants are the ones that fight the bad guys. They are molecules that protect cells in your body from free radical damage, that can occur from exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, pollution and radiation. Radicals are also produced by the body as a byproduct of a normal metabolism (for example, from white blood cells that destroy bad bacteria) .

So by fighting the bad guys, antioxidants;

• Protect you from cancer
• Help to prevent heart disease
• Slow the aging process
• Improve your overall health and immune system

Our bodies are actually capable of making our own antioxidants, but in order to keep generating a healthy amount of them, you need a little help from the outside. A mix is best for you. Antioxidant-rich foods include blueberries, red berries, matcha, dark green veggies, nuts, orange fruits and vegetables, and black and red grapes. Instead of reaching for the fermented kind of grapes in your glass of Merlot tonight, try The Juicery’s Antidote, which consists of red grapes, spinach, cucumber, parsley, aloe vera and chlorella. Just as soothing, but better for you.

What's the best juice for a hangover?

Rough night? I’ll explain a little bit about what’s happening in your body after you’ve had one too many. Alcohol affects the first phase of the detoxification that happens in the liver, making it produce more reactive toxins. If the second phase can’t counter that (especially after binge drinking), you end up with loads of oxidative stress and inflammation. Some alcohol types are more likely to increase the risk of getting a hangover. Apart from the type of alcohol, other factors are the amount of sugar, caffeine, or even preservatives in your drink.

You will want to grab a juice with (one of) these ingredients on the day after the night before;

• Coconut water is a fast and easy way to improve your electrolyte-balance after drinking. This one is definitely the star of the show in this genre. We at The Juicery have it either straight from the coconut, bottled up nicely, or in a delicious blend of coconut water, pineapple, lime, and blue majik in our juice The Astronaut’s Fuel.
• Dark leafy greens, like spinach, provide important B vitamins (particularly vitamin B6) and minerals that can help prevent and treat a hangover.
• Orange adds natural sweetness for the correction of low blood sugar. They provide vitamin C to restore tissue loss and provide antioxidants to reduce inflammation.
• Ginger helps to calm digestive distress and supports liver detoxification
• Turmeric also supports liver detoxification and is also helpful for reducing pain and inflammation
• Celery, just like coconut water, supports electrolyte replenishment, which means it hydrates and provides sodium.

What's the best juice for a cold/flu?

Antioxidants will fight the bad bacteria that are causing this flu, remember? So the best juice for a cold is the juice that contains a lot of that vitamin C, and a mix of minerals. Have you had the Reset yet? This one has the most Vitamin C packed citrus fruits, as well as a little kick from the cayenne and the ginger. Ginger is great against the inflammation, as is turmeric.

I'm pregnant, what would you recommend? And can I do a cleanse?

Your body needs a lot more micronutrients during this special time, so drinking cold pressed juices is highly recommended, as they contain high and compact levels of vitamins and minerals. Smoothies or smoothie bowls containing banana are a great source of B6 for your baby’s central nervous system. Turmeric prevents inflammation so will help fighting illness. And are you haunted by morning sickness? Ginger shots can really help with nausea.

During pregnancy you are not allowed to detox, as the detox effect can harm your baby. Cleansing is all about losing toxic acids, which happens through your blood, so those toxins will go past your baby too. We want only the good stuff for your little one!

I'm breastfeeding, what should I have?

During breastfeeding it is super important to eat adequately, as your body is using a lot of nutrients. Make sure you get enough minerals and vitamins. An important mineral is zinc, found in nuts. Have you tried our raw guilt-free treats? Nuts are often the building blocks of their crunchy crust or creamy topping. For example, The Salted Caramel Slice has raw almonds, peanut butter and pecans.

Is it safe to cleanse with IBS?

Yes, it is the best way to reset your gut! I have many clients with IBS (short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It's all about a disbalance in the gut. The microbial ecosystem must be healthy in order for you to be healthy. When your gut bacteria are out of balance - when you have too many pathogenic bacteria and not enough healthy bacteria - it makes you sick.

So when the bad bacteria take over, or if they move into areas that they shouldn’t, they can start fermenting the food you digest, particularly sugary or starchy foods. This is called small bowel bacterial overgrowth, and it’s a major cause of IBS. Starting with a cleanse is a really great kickstart to clean all of that out. Afterwards you can start rebuilding your gut flora and improve it’s health.

Which juice have the least amount of sugar?

The least amount of sugars are in juices that contain the highest amounts of vegetables, and the lowest amounts of fruits. At The Juicery, those juices are The Fix, The MOAJ and the Iron Man. I would not advise to only drink juices that consist of just fruits - try to mix it up with veggies, as they balance the blood sugar level. The Pret-A-Protein or our new juice The Lightsaber for example are great mixtures of fruit and veg, as the small amount of fruit sugars is easily met by the big amount of greens.

What should I drink if I have high/low blood pressure?

Vegetables are the best to decrease your blood pressure, so drink a lot of vegetable juice. Green juices and beetroot are great for their blood-building properties. The good news is that you do not need to drastically alter your diet here, the trick is to start including a few healthy options into your daily routine. Simple things like hydration are really important, so make sure you drink enough water.

Here are some heart-healthy fruits and vegetables that you should consider adding to your diet when trying to normalize your blood pressure;

• Any berry
• Beetroot
• Celery
• Green leafy vegetables
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Lemon
• Herbs such as turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, cilantro leaves, parsley