Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up a significant portion of our skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Some of the reasons to consider consuming collagen include the following:
- Skin health: Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining skin elasticity, hydration, and overall appearance. As we age, our body's collagen production declines, which can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and dry skin. Some studies suggest that consuming collagen supplements may help improve skin elasticity and hydration, potentially reducing signs of aging.
- Joint health: Collagen is essential for the proper functioning of joints and cartilage. Consuming collagen may help improve joint health and mobility, alleviate joint pain, and reduce inflammation in some individuals.
- Bone health: Collagen makes up a significant portion of our bones and helps maintain their strength and structure. Some research suggests that collagen supplements may help prevent bone loss and support overall bone health, particularly in postmenopausal women.
- Muscle mass: Collagen contains essential amino acids required for muscle growth and maintenance. Some studies indicate that collagen supplementation, combined with resistance training, may help increase muscle mass and strength in older adults.
- Hair and nail health: Collagen provides structural support for hair and nails. Anecdotal evidence suggests that collagen supplementation may help promote healthier, stronger hair and nails.
- Gut health: Some experts believe that collagen may play a role in maintaining the integrity of the gut lining and promoting gut health, although more research is needed to support these claims.
It's important to note that not everyone will experience these benefits, and more research is needed to understand the full effects of collagen supplementation. Additionally, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before adding collagen supplements to your diet or making significant dietary changes.
The Best Way to Take Collagen
The best way to take collagen can vary depending on your individual preferences and needs. There are several ways to consume collagen, and each has its own advantages. Here are some popular methods:
- Collagen-rich foods: Consuming foods rich in collagen can help boost your body's natural collagen production. These include bone broth, chicken skin, pork skin, and fish skin. You can also consume gelatin, a cooked form of collagen, which can be found in bone broth, gummies, or desserts.
- Collagen powder: Collagen powder can be mixed into smoothies, shakes, coffee, or tea. It's a convenient way to consume collagen without drastically changing your diet. Unflavored powders won't alter the taste of your beverage, and they don’t include any additives.
- Liquid collagen: convenient when you're out and about, but not ideal for long term consumption due to various additives.
- Collagen pills: great for an occasional collagen boost, although difficult to regularly consume in the needed quantities to reap collagen's full benefits.
- Topical collagen: Although not as effective as ingesting collagen, some people opt for topical collagen products such as creams, serums, and lotions. However, the effectiveness of these products in promoting skin health is still debated, as collagen molecules are often too large to be absorbed through the skin.
If you’re wondering how much collagen you should consume to reap specific benefits, we’ve got you covered. Find out how much collagen you should take per day.
Remember that individual results may vary, and it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before adding collagen supplements or making significant changes to your diet.
The Best Time to Take Collagen
The best time to take collagen will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It is recommended to experiment with different times and doses to find what works best for you and stay within the recommended dosage. Check out our article on the best time to take collagen to get the full scoop.
How to Take Collagen Powder
If you’ve decided to give high quality hydrolyzed collagen peptides a try, here are couple of different ways you can easily add it to your diet:
- Cold drinks: the best way to consume unflavoured collagen powder is to mix it with fruits and vegetables when creating healthy smoothies.
- Hot drinks: if you’d prefer to mix your collagen with a hot beverage, why not give collagen coffee a try?
- Food: collagen powder can easily be added to applesauce, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, stews, soup and other recipes. And don’t forget, gelatin powder (which is also a form of collagen) can be used to make jello!
Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides
If you’re set on adding collagen supplements to your diet (whether in the form of powder, liquid or pills) be sure to choose hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are broken down to a form that is easily digestible by our bodies.
Zen Principle® Collagen is sourced only from the best ingredients - North Atlantic Cod in the case of Marine Collagen, and cattle from Argentina and Brazil in the case of Beef Collagen. It includes no additives, fillers or additional flavors - the only ingredients present in our products are high quality hydrolyzed collagen peptides that your body needs.
