The Virgin Natural Strawberry Mojito

This pale pink juice is the most photogenic in the entire book. The first time I posted it on Instagram, I received more messages than for any carousel. The cucumber-strawberry combination may seem odd, but it’s a classic infused water pairing. As a juice, it’s even better: the cucumber brings volume and hydration, the strawberry brings sweetness and color, and the mint brings freshness. You can replace the mint with fresh basil: the result is more sophisticated, more Italian.

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The bioactive molecules

The strawberry is one of the fruits richest in vitamin C (59 mg/100 g) and in ellagic acid, a polyphenol that inhibits tumor cell proliferation by activating intrinsic apoptosis¹. Strawberry anthocyanins are powerful vascular protectors². The cucumber brings its structured water (96%) and neuroprotective fisetin³. It’s the most photogenic juice in the book, pale pink, but it’s also a serious antioxidant cocktail⁴.

The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is one of the fruits richest in vitamin C (59 mg/100 g) and in ellagic acid, a polyphenol that inhibits tumor cell proliferation by activating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Strawberry anthocyanins (pelargonidin-3-glucoside) are antioxidant pigments that neutralize peroxyl radicals and protect LDL from oxidation. Manganese (0.39 mg/100 g) is a cofactor for mitochondrial SOD2. The strawberry-cucumber combination offers an exceptional potassium/sodium ratio (>100:1), which promotes diuresis and elimination of nitrogen waste. Basil, as an alternative to mint, provides omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, 316 mg/100 g fresh leaves) and eugenol with selective COX-2 anti-inflammatory properties.

The cucumber-strawberry-mint juice is a summer juice as beautiful as it is good. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and ultra-hydrating, it’s the perfect juice for a hot afternoon. The basil variant gives it a refined Mediterranean note. Definitely worth trying.

Key micronutrients table

Micronutrient	Main role
Vitamin C (strawberry)	Immunity, collagen synthesis (59 mg/100 g)
Ellagic acid (strawberry)	Antioxidant, pro-apoptotic
Anthocyanins (strawberry)	Cardiovascular protection, anti-oxidized LDL
Fisetin (cucumber)	Neuroprotector, anti-inflammatory
Menthol or Eugenol	Digestive, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory
Manganese (strawberry)	SOD2 cofactor, antioxidant defense

Preparation with an extractor

Ingredients:

• 250 g fresh strawberries
• 1 lime, peeled
• A few mint leaves
• 1/2 cucumber

Pass the cucumber first, then the hulled strawberries, and finish with the mint (or basil) pushed through with a final piece of cucumber. The juice tastes best served immediately over crushed ice. The strawberries should be very ripe for maximum sweetness.

My recommended extractor

For this recipe, I use the Hurom H330P. Cold pressing preserves all the enzymes, vitamins, and phytonutrients that the heat of a centrifuge would destroy.

Promo code: francoisbenavente20 for -20% off the entire Hurom site.

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• Oxidative stress and antioxidants
• Cellular aging

Test yourself

• Questionnaire: Oxidative balance

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• All my health questionnaires
• My naturopathy shop
• Naturopathy consultation by video
• My Living Juices ebook