Have you heard of dairy electrolytes?

The electrolyte-rich sports drinks segment is celebrating its 60th anniversary. They first came onto the market in 1965 with Gatorade, with the ambitious aim of preventing dehydration in a team of American football players[1]. Since then, electrolytes have become very popular with all sportsmen and women, and solutions have flourished on the market. The figures for the drinkable electrolyte market bear witness to this: in 2023, the worldwide market represented revenues of $40.3 billion, with forecast annual growth of 5.7% between 2024 and 2034, giving projected revenues of $74.2 billion in 2034. This market is dominated by North America, which accounts for 40% of revenues.[2]

These figures can be explained by a number of factors: a growing awareness of the importance of staying well hydrated, particularly among sportspeople, and an increase in heat waves[3].

Apart from sports drinks, there are many sources of electrolytes in food. These include milk and dairy minerals[4]. At Armor Protéines, we've chosen to focus on dairy electrolytes to offer you a high-quality solution.

Dairy electrolytes, natural allies in meeting electrolyte requirements

Electrolytes, essential minerals for the body

The body is 60% water[5]. To function properly, the concentration of water in the blood and cells must remain stable. This is guaranteed, among other things, by electrolytes, minerals that carry a positive or negative electrical charge when found in liquids such as water[6].

These electrolytes include, but are not limited to, sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), and phosphate (PO₄³⁻).

Essential for the body to function properly, electrolytes help to perform the following functions in particular:[6]

• Regulation of hydration: electrolytes help maintain the body's water balance, which is essential for preventing dehydration.
• Muscle function: they are crucial for muscle contraction and relaxation.
• Nerve transmission: electrolytes facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses, which is vital for muscle coordination and response.
• Acid-base balance: they help maintain the body's pH level

These minerals must be taken in daily through the diet in which they are naturally present. They can be found in dairy products (calcium, sodium, potassium), mineral water, fruits and vegetables, legumes and dried fruit[7].

In the event of excessive intake, this is regulated by the kidneys, through urine or perspiration[5].

However, an imbalance can occur during prolonged physical effort, or in the event of dehydration linked to high temperatures or gastrointestinal disorders.[8] In these situations, electrolyte requirements may increase[6].

Dairy minerals: electrolytes for good health

Milk contains many minerals, including calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium, as well as phosphorus. According to Ciqual, 100g of milk contains no less than 117mg of calcium, 36.6mg of sodium, 166mg of potassium and 11.8mg of magnesium[9].

As electrolytes, these milk minerals play essential roles in the functioning of the body. These roles can be promoted using claims, which can only be used for products that are sources of these minerals. The main dairy electrolytes are as follows:

• Calcium. Well-known for its role in bone mineralization, calcium is also found, to a lesser extent, in the blood and cells as an electrolyte. Its concentration in the blood is precisely regulated by the body's hormones. It contributes to normal muscle function and blood coagulation, as well as normal neurotransmission[9]. A lack of calcium, or hypocalcemia, can lead to cerebral confusion, spasms, muscular problems or osteoporosis due to the removal of calcium from the bones[5]. Among dairy minerals, calcium is associated with phosphorus and potassium, which reduce its urinary excretion and therefore increase its bioavailability[10].
• Potassium. It also plays the role of an electrolyte in maintaining normal blood pressure, which is why its concentration in the body needs to be carefully monitored[9].
• Magnesium. A key electrolyte in the body, magnesium is the only mineral to benefit from a claim authorized by the European authorities concerning the maintenance of normal electrolyte balance. It is also involved in the normal functioning of the nervous system and muscles[9].

Sodium is the body's most abundant electrolyte, and is involved in maintaining fluid balance and the absorption of nutrients. A lack of sodium can therefore be associated with symptoms such as confusion, muscle weakness or nausea[5].

Dairy minerals, a source of electrolytes for every need

In the general population, dairy minerals can help cover needs by providing essential minerals in the right quantities.

Here are some consumption recommendations issued by the EFSA for adults[11]:

• Calcium: 950 mg/d (Population Reference Intake)
• Potassium: 3500 mg/d (Adequate Intake)
• Magnesium: 300 mg/d (Adequate Intake)

For more specific targets and in the event of imbalance, dairy electrolytes such as sodium and potassium assist in the retention of fluids such as water[4].

In fact, the ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) recommends sodium intake for sports activities[12].

Choose Armor Protéines dairy minerals for high-quality electrolytes

At Armor Protéines, we are committed to supporting your hydration mechanisms with high-quality dairy electrolytes. With this in mind, and drawing on our expertise in dairy ingredients, we have developed a dairy mineral concentrate VITALARMOR® Ca M10.

Our dairy minerals can be integrated into your rehydration formulations or into a wide variety of food matrices thanks to[4]:

• Optimized particle size to help maintain suspension in food matrices.
• A high concentration of numerous electrolytes. The blend contains 27% calcium, 13% phosphorus, as well as magnesium, sodium and potassium.

VITALARMOR® Ca M10 can enrich a wide variety of food matrices, such as dairy products (yoghurts, fromage frais, yoghurt drinks) and cream desserts.

[1] Research at the University of Florida, Gatorade The idea that launched an Industry, https://research.ufl.edu/publications/explore/v08n1/gatorade.html

[2] Precedence Research, Electrolyte Drinks Market Size, Share, and Trends, 2023, https://www.precedenceresearch.com/electrolyte-drinks-market

[3] Food Business News, Hydration innovation on the rise, 2024, https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/25842-hydration-innovation-on-the-rise

[4] Berry et al., Scientific basis for a milk permeate-based sports drink - A critical review, 2021, available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958694621003241

[5] Cleveland Clinic, Electrolytes, 2021, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes

[6] Clinical Nutrition & Hospital Dietetics, An overview on electrolytes : Its importance, function, and imbalance, 2023, https://www.revistanutricion.org/articles/an-overview-on-electrolytes-its-importance-function-and--imbalances.pdf

[7] MedicalNewsToday, Foods that are high in electrolytes, 2020, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/electrolytes-food

[8] MedicalNewsToday, What are electrolyte drinks and how to make them, 2021, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/electrolytes-drinks#electrolyte-definition 

[9] ANSES, Ciqual, https://ciqual.anses.fr/

[10] Cerin. Meeting recommended calcium intake: is it possible without dairy products?, 2014

[11] EFSA, Dietary reference values for the EU, https://multimedia.efsa.europa.eu/drvs/index.htm

[12] C. M Kerksick et al, ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations, 2018