Science

A Growing Problem

Athletes with gastrointestinal discomfort during their training or competitions

People suffer from digestive issues

In Europe and Mediterranean countries, 1 in 3 people suffer from digestive issues 1 , and approximately 70-90% of endurance athletes report having experienced gastrointestinal discomfort during their training or competitions 2 3 4. This not only affects performance but also negatively impacts quality of life. At Salssa, after more than 15 years of providing natural nutrition to athletes of all levels and disciplines, we have realised that a healthy diet, based on real food, helps to reduce intestinal ailments and strengthen the digestive system for the future. We create our formulas to tackle these challenges and provide athletes with a natural and effective solution.

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Our approach to performance

Performing shouldn't force us to choose between energy and health

Conventional sports nutrition has done a great job of meeting a specific need: providing carbohydrates and electrolytes quickly, in concentrated form, and easy to transport.

Gels, isotonic drinks, and other supplements can be effective tools in training and competitions. However, many of these solutions rely almost exclusively on a combination of refined carbohydrates, water, flavorings, and other additives.

At Salssa, we asked ourselves a different question:

Can we provide the energy and nutrients demanded by sports through formulas made mainly with real food?

We are not looking to replace all existing strategies. We seek to broaden athletes' options with a natural, complete, and practical alternative for training and competing.

Athlete using natural sports nutrition Salssa

Over 15 years of clinical experience

From Anna's clinical practice to Salssa

Salssa was created from the experience of Anna Grífols, a sports dietitian-nutritionist, after more than fifteen years of working with athletes of different levels and disciplines.

In her practice, she observed that some performance issues could not be explained solely by training. In many cases, discomfort arose around the foods and supplements consumed before, during, or after exertion, the quantities used, and how they were combined.

This led her to experiment with homemade preparations made from fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers, and salts. Many athletes reported a better digestive experience when they found a combination adapted to their tolerance.

It wasn't about replacing a gel with a piece of fruit.It was about formulating real food so it could perform in real sports conditions.

But homemade nutrition had a problem: it required time, knowledge, and planning. Its composition could vary, and its shelf life was limited, especially during long efforts and in hot conditions.

From that limitation, Salssa was born: nutrition inspired by natural and homemade preparations, but stable, safe, portable, and precisely formulated.

Anna contributed over fifteen years of clinical experience. Pau added his experience as an athlete, his personal relationship with digestive problems and atopic dermatitis, and his background in biotechnology and health.

From observation to formulation

Three pillars. A different way to nourish performance.

Each Salssa formula starts with a specific sports purpose. We don't select an ingredient just because it's natural. We study its nutritional function, tolerance, texture, stability, and behavior within the overall formula.

Precision in sports

We combine different sources of carbohydrates and electrolytes to provide the necessary energy and minerals before, during, or after exercise. The quantity, density, and type of nutrients are adapted to the moment of consumption and the demands of each discipline.

Carbohydrates · Electrolytes · Hydration · Recovery

Real ingredients

We use fruits, vegetables, tubers, cereals, and other plant-based raw materials that provide energy, water, and components naturally present in foods. We seek to preserve their identity and avoid formulas constructed exclusively from highly refined sugars, flavorings, sweeteners, or unnecessary additives.

More than 75% of our ingredients are Mediterranean

Digestive tolerance

There is no universally perfect formula for every gut. That's why we study fructose content, carbohydrate concentration, fiber presence, texture, acidity, serving size, and the combination of ingredients.

Furthermore, the gut-brain axis establishes a bidirectional communication between the digestive system and the nervous system and is related to processes such as stress response, cognitive function, and overall well-being.

Digestive health is part of performance

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Salsa Product surrounded by natural ingredients

Science, clinical practice, and practical experience

Developed based on real-world practical experience

Salssa is not born from a single publication or a food trend. It is born from the combination of scientific evidence, clinical experience, and practical validation.

15+ years From clinical experience

+10.000 Athletes in real conditions

>75% Of Mediterranean ingredients

Scientific evidence

We use available research on energy metabolism, hydration, carbohydrate absorption, gastrointestinal tolerance, and sports recovery.

Clinical experience

We started from over fifteen years of direct observation and work by Anna Grífols with athletes of different levels and disciplines.

Practical validation

The formulas are developed to work during training, competitions, travel, and real-life exertion situations. Over 10,000 athletes have helped validate Salssa during its development and launch.

We don't believe that natural is automatically better. It must be properly formulated, safe, provide the necessary nutrients, and work in practice.

Our goal is not to create a healthy version of a conventional product, but to develop a different form of sports nutrition: effective for performance, easy on digestion, and made with real ingredients.

Without health, there is no long-term performance.

Athletes validating Salssa sports nutrition products

Multiple Absorption Carbohydrates

To maintain energy throughout the exercise, we use fast, medium, and slow-absorbing carbohydrates, achieving a sustained release of energy. While simple sugars provide an immediate boost, other complex carbohydrates, such as those found in bananas and sweet potatoes, extend the energy supply, avoiding glucose spikes and preventing fatigue. This combination balances energy performance and digestive stability 8 9.

The steadily released glycogen, along with the naturally present water and its salts in our pouches, will help you maintain not only your energy but also an appropriate level of hydration to absorb all the glycogen it offers you.

Type of Absorption	Ingredients	Approximate GI
Rapid (High GI)	Dates, Banana (very ripe)	Over 70
Medium (Medium GI)	Mango, Pear, Pomegranate juice, Beetroot	56-69
Slow (Low GI)	Apple, Sweet Potato, Plum, Strawberry, Lemon Juice	<55

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High-Quality Proteins

Proteins are essential for muscle recovery, and for repairing those small tears at the muscle level that occur during training and competitions 10. We include plant-based proteins, such as faba bean protein, a protein that contains all the amino acids the human body needs, complete, and which not only supports muscle growth and repair but is also easy to digest 11. This protein offers comprehensive support for post-exercise recovery and the care of your gut microbiota.

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Electrolytes for Hydration and Mineral Balance

Did you know that if you lose 1 kg through dehydration and weigh 60 kg, you are losing 1% of your body weight? And did you know that this 1% body weight loss will result in a 10% loss in muscular work capacity? 12.

Sodium is the mineral most involved in the hydration and rehydration of athletes. Furthermore, it is the mineral we excrete the most through sweat compared to any other. Therefore, ensuring a good intake of sodium will help us to keep all our tissues and organs well hydrated and functional to perform at the highest level 13.

That's why we use sea salt to provide an adequate supply of sodium that covers all your sports requirements. We help you achieve good hydration and avoid a drop in performance.

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Nitrates for Circulation and Performance

Nitrates, found in ingredients like beetroot or pomegranate, support the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow and reduces muscle fatigue 14. This is particularly beneficial in long-duration training sessions or competitions, where good circulation is key to delivering oxygen to the muscles and improving energy efficiency. The incorporation of nitrates helps maintain consistent energy and sustained performance 15.

And Salssa only uses these natural crushed foods.

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Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatories

Intense exercise generates oxidative stress, which can damage cells and cause inflammation. The natural antioxidants in Salssa, sourced from vegetables such as olive oil, pomegranate 16 and blackberries, neutralise free radicals and protect cells. Additionally, our ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties such as ginger 17 help reduce muscle damage and promote faster recovery, allowing athletes to train without compromising their long-term health.

Although the human body is capable of creating its own antioxidants to balance the oxidative effects of exercise, there are times (due to intensity, duration, climate, or stress) when this capacity is exceeded, and providing them externally is the only way to offset oxidative stress. At Salssa, we choose to do it naturally.

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Resistencia

Energía sostenida

Carbohidratos, electrolitos e ingredientes reales para ayudarte a mantener el rendimiento y cuidar la tolerancia digestiva durante esfuerzos prolongados.

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