03.21.24
Gadot Biochemical Industries, a global supplier of mineral ingredients, is preparing for increased demand for mineral citrates as hydration and electrolyte products rise in popularity. Key electrolytes in the company’s portfolio suitable for these product categories include sodium citrate, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, and calcium citrate.
Magnesium supports muscle recovery, while calcium is consumed for bone support, and zinc can be added for immune support. “These minerals are inherently important for active individuals,” said Youval Saly, vice president of sales and marketing at Gadot. “Vigorous physical activity is known to affect hydration and immunity as well as induce muscle soreness, and, on the positive side, it also helps support strong bones.”
According to SPINS, hydration and electrolyte supplements in RTD, powder, tablet, gummy, and stick pack formats are top sellers in the active nutrition segment. This sports nutrition sub-sector is anticipated to grow in sales from $29.61 billion in 2023 to $31.54 billion this year, at a CAGR of 6.5%.
“The excitement for hydration and electrolyte beverages is generated by increased participation in sports and fitness trends, along with wellness awareness, and the understanding of the consequences of acute and chronic dehydration,” Saly said. “Post-pandemic has seen a steady increase and return of enthusiasm for fitness and sports participation, and hence, the spikes in demand for effective sports nutrition/fitness support supplements and beverages. Further, young adults and the general population are new users of the category, which provides ample opportunity for R&D.”
Electrolytes are electrically-charged minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chrolide, phosphate, and bicarbonate) necessary for muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and fluid balance, so they are important to replenish during serious workouts or competitions, Gadot reports. There is an important distinction to be made between hydration and electrolyte products, however; hydration involves replenishing fluids, while electrolyte products restore the minerals lost through sweat. For this reason, hydration products typically have a different composition than sports nutrition drinks which boast a higher concentration of electrolytes.
Citrate Versus Chloride
Sodium is a crucial electrolyte for maintaining fluid balance and supporting muscle function during exercise, but not all forms perform the same way. Sodium chloride, the same type of sodium as table salt, is associated with high blood pressure if consumed in high amounts. However, replacing sodium chloride with sodium citrate appears to abolish increases in plasma volume and blood pressure induced by sodium chloride intake, Gadot reports.
“While both sodium citrate and sodium chloride (table salt) provide sodium, they differ in their chemical composition and impact on the body. Sodium citrate has higher bioavailability and absorption rate compared to sodium chloride. The citrate component enhances sodium absorption in the small intestine, supporting a better hydration gradient which speeds up electrolyte replenishment,” said Saly.
Citrates are also more effective in supporting the oxidation of carbohydrates and fat as part of energy production, Saly said, which is important as exercise depletes the intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, while supplementing with sodium citrate can slow this expenditure, helping to maintain or extend the TCA cycle.
“Sodium citrate has several other advantages over other sodium forms,” said Saly. “It does not produce gastric discomfort, and it is more formulation-friendly. Specifically, sodium citrate has superior buffering capacity, which supports the regulation of healthy pH levels. This activity is beneficial during prolonged exercise or competition, as it may attenuate the onset of muscle fatigue and improve overall endurance by mitigating the acidic environment created by intense movement. The body produces lactic acid during high-intensity exercise, leading to quick onset of muscle acidity and fatigue.
“Electrolyte minerals will likely become more popular and sought after by consumers, so it is important for Gadot to keep up with supply for our customers who use our mineral ingredients in their formulations,” Saly continued. “Gadot has been serving food, beverage and nutritional supplement industries for 60 years, and we are positioned to help our brand partners produce quality mineral-containing sports nutrition products.”
Magnesium supports muscle recovery, while calcium is consumed for bone support, and zinc can be added for immune support. “These minerals are inherently important for active individuals,” said Youval Saly, vice president of sales and marketing at Gadot. “Vigorous physical activity is known to affect hydration and immunity as well as induce muscle soreness, and, on the positive side, it also helps support strong bones.”
According to SPINS, hydration and electrolyte supplements in RTD, powder, tablet, gummy, and stick pack formats are top sellers in the active nutrition segment. This sports nutrition sub-sector is anticipated to grow in sales from $29.61 billion in 2023 to $31.54 billion this year, at a CAGR of 6.5%.
“The excitement for hydration and electrolyte beverages is generated by increased participation in sports and fitness trends, along with wellness awareness, and the understanding of the consequences of acute and chronic dehydration,” Saly said. “Post-pandemic has seen a steady increase and return of enthusiasm for fitness and sports participation, and hence, the spikes in demand for effective sports nutrition/fitness support supplements and beverages. Further, young adults and the general population are new users of the category, which provides ample opportunity for R&D.”
Electrolytes are electrically-charged minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chrolide, phosphate, and bicarbonate) necessary for muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and fluid balance, so they are important to replenish during serious workouts or competitions, Gadot reports. There is an important distinction to be made between hydration and electrolyte products, however; hydration involves replenishing fluids, while electrolyte products restore the minerals lost through sweat. For this reason, hydration products typically have a different composition than sports nutrition drinks which boast a higher concentration of electrolytes.
Citrate Versus Chloride
Sodium is a crucial electrolyte for maintaining fluid balance and supporting muscle function during exercise, but not all forms perform the same way. Sodium chloride, the same type of sodium as table salt, is associated with high blood pressure if consumed in high amounts. However, replacing sodium chloride with sodium citrate appears to abolish increases in plasma volume and blood pressure induced by sodium chloride intake, Gadot reports.
“While both sodium citrate and sodium chloride (table salt) provide sodium, they differ in their chemical composition and impact on the body. Sodium citrate has higher bioavailability and absorption rate compared to sodium chloride. The citrate component enhances sodium absorption in the small intestine, supporting a better hydration gradient which speeds up electrolyte replenishment,” said Saly.
Citrates are also more effective in supporting the oxidation of carbohydrates and fat as part of energy production, Saly said, which is important as exercise depletes the intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, while supplementing with sodium citrate can slow this expenditure, helping to maintain or extend the TCA cycle.
“Sodium citrate has several other advantages over other sodium forms,” said Saly. “It does not produce gastric discomfort, and it is more formulation-friendly. Specifically, sodium citrate has superior buffering capacity, which supports the regulation of healthy pH levels. This activity is beneficial during prolonged exercise or competition, as it may attenuate the onset of muscle fatigue and improve overall endurance by mitigating the acidic environment created by intense movement. The body produces lactic acid during high-intensity exercise, leading to quick onset of muscle acidity and fatigue.
“Electrolyte minerals will likely become more popular and sought after by consumers, so it is important for Gadot to keep up with supply for our customers who use our mineral ingredients in their formulations,” Saly continued. “Gadot has been serving food, beverage and nutritional supplement industries for 60 years, and we are positioned to help our brand partners produce quality mineral-containing sports nutrition products.”
