Collagen Powder Benefits
Because it makes up so many critical parts of our bodies, collagen is not only beneficial but essential to maintaining good health. However, scientists are still debating the full extent of the benefits of collagen powder and other collagen supplements. While there’s reasonable evidence that they help maintain hydrated skin and relieve osteoarthritis pain, more research is still needed into less well-understood effects, such as lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Below are some of the most commonly cited benefits of collagen supplements:
Stronger bones:
As you age, your bones become less dense and more brittle, breaking more easily and taking longer to heal. Fortunately, some research has found that taking daily collagen powder could help make your bones denser, thereby slowing the aging process that causes brittleness. Additionally, it may support your body’s ability to produce new bone.
Skin elasticity and hydration:
Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity, particularly in older individuals. Moreover, they might also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles over time.
Thicker hair:
Although hair loss is often associated with men, many women also experience hair thinning as they age. In fact, one study showed that women with thinning hair experienced significant increases in their hair’s quantity, scalp coverage, and thickness after taking daily collagen supplements. Therefore, collagen may play a role in supporting hair health.
Healthier nails:
Some people’s nails break more easily and grow more slowly. Interestingly, one study involving women showed faster nail growth and fewer broken or chipped nails after just four weeks of daily collagen supplementation. Thus, collagen may contribute to stronger, more resilient nails.
Reduced osteoarthritis pain:
For people suffering from knee osteoarthritis, collagen supplements might act as a mild pain reliever and improve joint function. However, it may take around 3 to 5 months of consistent daily use before noticeable improvements occur. Even so, this suggests a potential long-term benefit for joint health.
Increased muscle mass:
One small study found that men who took collagen peptide supplements during a 12-week strength training program saw greater increases in both muscle mass and strength compared to those who didn’t. Consequently, collagen might support muscle development when paired with exercise.
Improved heart health:
Collagen helps maintain the structure of your arteries and blood vessels. Without enough collagen, arteries can weaken, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis — a condition that can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Notably, a small study on healthy individuals found that collagen powder helped support arterial health and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This indicates a promising connection between collagen and cardiovascular support.
Keep in mind, after you consume a collagen supplement, your digestive system breaks it down into amino acids. Your body then reassembles these amino acids to form new proteins. As a result, the final proteins may not contain the same amino acid profile as the original supplement. Therefore, despite what some product labels may claim, you cannot precisely target the benefits of collagen to specific areas like your skin, hair, or joints.
This is an example of the nutritional content found in two scoops (20 grams) of a high-quality, grass-fed bovine collagen supplement:
- 72 calories
- 18 grams protein
- 108 milligrams sodium
A serving a bovine collagen contains the following amino acids:
- 1,462 milligrams alanine
- 1,517 milligrams arginine
- 1,192 milligrams aspartic acid
- 2,239 milligrams glutamic acid
- 3,719 milligrams glycine
- 144 milligrams histidine*
- 217 milligrams hydroxylysine
- 2,058 milligrams hydroxyproline
- 271 milligrams isoleucine
- 524 milligrams leucine*
- 614 milligrams lysine*
- 108 milligrams methionine*
- 379 milligrams phenylalanine*
- 2,076 milligrams proline
- 614 milligrams serine
- 342 milligrams threonine*
- 90 milligrams tyrosine
- 433 milligrams valine*
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.