Science

A Growing Problem

Athletes experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort during their training sessions or competitions

People suffering from digestive problems

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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 very good job of addressing one specific need: providing carbohydrates and electrolytes quickly, in a concentrated and easy-to-carry form.

Gels, isotonic drinks, and other supplements can be effective tools during training and competitions. But many of these solutions are based 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 sport through formulas made primarily from real foods?

We are not looking to replace all existing strategies. We aim to expand athletes’ options with a natural, complete, and practical alternative for training and competition.

Athlete using Salssa natural sports nutrition

Over 15 years of clinical experience

From Anna’s inquiry to Salssa

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

In her consultations, she observed that some performance issues could not be explained solely by training. In many cases, discomfort appeared to be related to 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 suited to their tolerance.

It wasn’t about replacing a gel with a piece of fruit.It was about formulating real food so it could work under real sporting conditions.

But homemade nutrition had one 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.

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

Anna brought more than fifteen years of clinical experience. Pau added his experience as an athlete, his personal experience with digestive issues and atopic dermatitis, and his background in biotechnology and healthcare.

From Observation to Formulation

Three pillars. A different way to fuel performance.

Each Salssa formula is designed for a specific sports purpose. We do not select an ingredient simply because it is natural. We study its nutritional function, tolerability, texture, stability, and performance within the formula as a whole.

Sports precision

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

Carbohydrates · Electrolytes · Hydration · Recovery

Real ingredients

We use fruits, vegetables, tubers, grains, and other plant-based raw materials that provide energy, water, and components naturally found in foods. We aim to preserve their identity and avoid formulas made 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 the amount of fructose, carbohydrate concentration, presence of fiber, texture, acidity, serving size, and the combination of ingredients.

In addition, the gut-brain axis enables two-way communication between the digestive system and the nervous system and is related to processes such as the stress response, cognitive function, and overall well-being.

Digestive health is part of performance

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Salssa product surrounded by natural ingredients

Science, guidance, and practical experience

Developed based on real-world practical experience

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

+15 years Clinical experience

+10.000 Athletes in real-world conditions

>75 % Made with Mediterranean ingredients

Scientific evidence

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

Clinical experience

We draw on more than fifteen years of observation and Anna Grífols’ direct work with athletes of different levels and disciplines.

Practical validation

The formulas are developed to perform during training, competitions, travel, and real-life exertion. More than 10,000 athletes 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 isn’t to create a healthier version of a conventional product, but to develop a different approach to sports nutrition: effective for performance, gentle 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 your workout, 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, are rich in fiber and extend energy availability, avoiding sharp blood glucose spikes and preventing fatigue. This combination balances energy performance with digestive stability.

The steadily released glycogen, together with the water naturally present in our pouches and their salts, will help you maintain not only your energy but also adequate hydration to absorb all the glycogen they provide.

Absorption Type	Ingredients	Approximate GI
Fast (High GI)	Dates, Banana (very ripe)	>70
Medium GI	Mango, Pear, Pomegranate juice, Beetroot	56-69
Slow-digesting (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 the small tears in muscle tissue that occur during training and competitions. We include plant-based proteins, such as fava bean protein—a complete protein containing all the amino acids the human body needs. It not only supports muscle growth and repair but is also easy to digest. This protein provides comprehensive support for post-exercise recovery and the health 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% loss of body weight results in a 10% reduction in muscle performance?

Sodium is the mineral that plays the greatest role in an athlete’s hydration and rehydration. It is also the mineral we excrete through sweat in the greatest proportion compared with any other. Therefore, ensuring an adequate intake will help us keep all our tissues and organs well hydrated and functioning so we can perform at our highest level.

That is why we use sea salt to provide an adequate amount of sodium, helping you meet all your nutritional requirements for sport. We help you stay well hydrated and avoid losing performance.

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Nitrates for Circulation and Performance

Nitrates, found in ingredients such as beetroot and pomegranate, promote the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow and reduces muscle fatigue. This is particularly beneficial during long training sessions or competitions, where good circulation is key to delivering oxygen to the muscles and improving energy-use efficiency. Including nitrates helps maintain steady energy and sustained performance.

And Salssa uses only these crushed natural 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, derived from ingredients such as olive oil, pomegranate, and berries, neutralize free radicals and protect cells. In addition, our anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as ginger, help reduce muscle damage and promote faster recovery, allowing athletes to train without compromising their long-term health.

Although the human body can produce its own antioxidants to counteract the oxidative effects of exercise, this capacity is sometimes exceeded due to intensity, duration, weather, or stress. In such cases, obtaining antioxidants externally is the only way to counteract oxidative stress. At Salssa, we choose to do so naturally.

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

From Anna’s inquiry to Salssa