The water surrounding the Cíes Islands has become the focus of a Galician project aiming to carve out a niche in the global market for healthy beverages. Using marine upwellings from this area of the Atlantic, a company has developed a range of isotonic drinks designed for hydration and recovery, both for athletes and anyone seeking alternatives to traditional soft drinks.
These isotonic drinks made with seawater are presented as a functional and natural option, without added sugars or sweeteners, and with a mineral composition very similar to that of human blood plasma, which has allowed them to gain a foothold in Spain and in several international markets that are increasingly interested in products of this type.
A Galician project based on the water of the Cíes Islands
The driving force behind this initiative is Artio Nutrición , a company based in Padrón that focuses on the production of functional and isotonic beverages. The distinctive feature of its product line is the use of seawater sourced from the marine upwellings around the Cíes Islands , an oceanic phenomenon known for its high mineral concentration.
The company uses this raw material to design a formula that incorporates up to 78 natural minerals , seeking a balance that resembles the composition of blood plasma. This mineral richness is intended to promote more efficient hydration and better recovery after physical exertion or demanding days.
Founded in 2022 , the company has positioned itself in the healthy beverage segment with an approach that combines innovation, scientific collaboration, and a clear export focus. Although still a young company, its products have been gaining traction in various channels and countries.
The catalog includes several flavors— lemon, orange, raspberry, lime, tropical, and a neutral version —aimed at catering to different tastes. They all share a common feature: the absence of sugars and artificial sweeteners, a decision made to respond to consumers who are increasingly attentive to the labeling and composition of what they drink.
In addition to its focus on sports, the company targets these drinks at people who simply want an alternative to sugary sodas or options high in additives. Its positioning, therefore, lies between the world of sports and that of everyday beverages with a healthier profile.
Production in Dodro and a commitment to R&D
To meet growing demand, Artio Nutrición has a production plant in the municipality of Dodro , in the province of A Coruña. From this facility, isotonic drinks are produced and packaged using water from the Cíes Islands, maintaining constant control over the quality and traceability of the raw materials.
The factory has a production capacity of over 15.000 bottles per day , a figure that allows it to serve both the domestic market and international orders. This industrial capacity is key to negotiating with international distributors and responding to peak demand without compromising delivery times.
Alongside its production capacity, the company has focused on research and development of new products . In collaboration with the University of Vigo , it participates in R&D projects aimed at exploring innovative ingredients and improving the functional properties of its beverages.
Research lines include the use of postbiotics and encapsulated mineral compounds, as well as the development of formulations that maintain the product's natural profile while respecting the original composition of seawater as much as possible. The aim is to go beyond the classic isotonic drink and move towards new generations of products that offer additional health benefits.
This strategy of collaboration with the university sector places the company within a Galician innovation ecosystem in which other technological SMEs and research centers also participate, reinforcing its ability to differentiate itself in a highly competitive market.
Flavors, composition and nutritional profile
One of the most remarkable features of these isotonic drinks made with water from the Cíes Islands is their formulation. The base of seawater from the freshwater springs allows for the incorporation of up to 78 naturally occurring minerals , including sodium, magnesium, calcium, and trace elements that are typically lost through sweat during exercise.
The formula has been designed so that the mineral ratio is similar to that of blood plasma , which, according to the company, promotes rapid electrolyte replenishment and more effective hydration. This feature is one of the arguments the brand uses to differentiate itself from other rehydration drinks on the market.
As for the flavor, the range includes citrus versions such as lemon and orange , sweeter options such as raspberry and tropical-style proposals, as well as a neutral flavor that allows its consumption without intense aromatic nuances or its combination with other drinks or preparations.
A key feature is that these drinks are formulated without added sugars or artificial sweeteners . The aim is to offer a product that doesn't increase the amount of free sugars in the diet and is suitable for those who want to control their calorie intake or reduce their consumption of sweeteners.
With this approach, the product targets both athletes who need to replenish fluids and electrolytes after exercise, and consumers looking for lighter alternatives to traditional energy drinks or sugary sodas. The positioning deliberately moves away from the image of a sugary beverage to focus on its functional and mineral profile.
From Galicia to the world: international expansion
After consolidating its presence in Spain, Artio Nutrición has begun an international expansion that has taken it to various European and non-EU markets. Currently, the company exports to France, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom , countries where its isotonic drinks made with water from the Cíes Islands have found a niche among consumers interested in healthy products.
Furthermore, the company has managed to break into the United States , a particularly competitive market in the field of functional beverages, where large international brands coexist with specialized local offerings.
According to data provided by the firm itself, exports already represent around 10% of total revenue , a proportion that the company expects to increase as new distribution agreements are consolidated and its presence in points of sale is expanded.
The next objective is to strengthen its position in countries considered strategic due to the growth of the healthy beverage sector. This list includes the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and Japan —markets with very different profiles but where there is a growing demand for functional, low-sugar products with an innovative component.
In the case of the United Arab Emirates , the company has focused especially on Dubai, an environment where local and international consumers coexist and where there is a strong interest in premium products of differentiated origin, such as the seawater from the upwellings of the Cíes Islands.
The support of the Galicia Avanza program
The impetus for this expansion strategy has come, in large part, through Galicia Avanza , an acceleration program for the internationalization of innovative Galician SMEs. The initiative is promoted by the Xunta de Galicia through the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (Igape) and coordinated by the Technological Park of Galicia, Tecnópole.
In its fourth edition, Galicia Avanza provided ten months of support to 30 technology-based or highly innovative companies in the region. Among them was Artio Nutrición, which used the program to refine its international roadmap and strengthen key areas of its growth strategy.
The support has focused on practical aspects that often make the difference when entering new markets. One of the most important points has been obtaining international certifications , including Halal certification , which is essential for marketing beverages to Muslim consumers in certain countries.
Furthermore, the program has facilitated the work of protecting the brand and the product in the target markets, something fundamental to avoid legal conflicts and ensure that the company's identity remains recognizable outside of Spain.
Another important area has been the adaptation of communication and the product . A multilingual website has been developed , packaging has been revised to comply with the regulations and preferences of each country, and sustainability-related labels have been added —an aspect increasingly valued by distributors and consumers.
Tecnópole and the Galician innovation ecosystem
The Galicia Avanza program is coordinated by the Galicia Technology Park – Tecnópole , based in the Ourense municipality of San Cibrao das Viñas . This park is home to around one hundred technology companies and R&D centers, and has established itself as one of the main innovation hubs in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
Tecnópole promotes initiatives aimed at enhancing talent, knowledge transfer, and the international competitiveness of Galician companies. Support for projects like the one for isotonic drinks made with water from the Cíes Islands fits into a broader strategy that connects universities, businesses, and public administration.
Within this ecosystem, participating companies have access to specialized advice, contact networks and opportunities to attend international trade fairs and trade missions , elements that are key to establishing alliances and making themselves known in new markets.
In the case of Artio Nutrición, belonging to this innovative environment has helped to consolidate its commitment to R&D and internationalization , and to reinforce the visibility of its proposal based on seawater from the upwellings of the Cíes Islands.
Today, the project for these isotonic drinks made with water from the Cíes Islands blends Galician maritime tradition with innovation in functional nutrition. With production based in Dodro, scientific collaboration with the University of Vigo, and support from public programs like Galicia Avanza, the Galician company aims to consolidate its position in Spain and continue gaining ground in Europe and other markets where healthy, sugar-free beverages are experiencing a boom.