Collagen drinks have been introduced to the beauty industry in recent years and have been gaining popularity. Everyone wants to look younger achieving that by taking just a drink a day! Sounds tempting and easy, isn’t it? However, are collagen drinks really effective?
In this article, we will attempt to answer all your questions concerning collagen drinks- how they help your skin and how you can incorporate them into your skincare regime.
Collagen amino acids are naturally occurring proteins in the human body. The amino acids are actually broken down components as the body is unable to absorb collagen molecules as a whole.
Collagen gives our body structural support required by tissues and muscles, giving your skin elasticity. The more collagen you have, the younger you look as your skin will be able to bounce back faster and easier. Collagen basically holds your body together.
Nowadays, edible skincare, which includes collagen amino acids like Collagen Amino Acids drinks have gained popularity due to their fast and multiple benefits!
There are different types of collagen. Each type of collagen has its own unique purpose. In collagen supplements, the three most common types are:
The type of collagen determines the quantity that you should take daily. There are no vegan substitutes for collagen as they are derived from animal sources.
This form of supplement is absorbed more easily compared to the other types and is sold in capsule or powder form. If it is in powder form, you can add it to your food.
Consuming between 2.5 to 15 grams of hydrolyzed collagen peptides daily is safe and effective.
10 to 40mg of undenatured collagen a day improves joint health.
This is a type of cooked collagen and is not often sold as a supplement. Instead, it’s used in other foods like sauces, soups, desserts and other edible products. Thus, there are no recommended collagen dosages for gelatin.
If you are unsure about how much collagen you should consume, the suggested daily dosage is usually printed on the supplement packaging. It is generally considered to be a safe supplement and most people will not experience any adverse side effects. However, it is best to check with your doctor if you are taking more than the recommended dosage.
As we age, our natural collagen level starts to deplete, which leads to wrinkles in the skin, thinning and sagging.
Collagen drinks actually help to top up on natural collagen levels.
These drinks do not actually add to your collagen levels. Rather, the collagen peptides help to trigger your own natural collagen production.
Collagen producing cells, called fibroblasts, are triggered by the collagen drink. It also stimulates the elastin (for skin elasticity) and hyaluronic acid (for skin hydration) in your skin.
Photo by Fernanda Latronico from Pexels
The earlier you start taking collagen, the better!
Dermatologists recommend starting collagen in your late twenties to early thirties for maximum effects.
However, it also depends on your lifestyle choices such as your diet and whether you are healthy or not.
What do collagen drinks actually do for you?
Why do we need to drink collagen?
Below are the key benefits of drinking collagen amino acids:
As we have been touting throughout the article, collagen plays a crucial role in strengthening skin, improving skin elasticity and hydration. As you grow older, your skin produces less collagen which leads to wrinkles and fine lines.
Collagen amino acids slow down ageing. As you consume these drinks, your skin’s ability to stimulate your body to produce collagen on its own increases.
Collagen supplements also promote the production of other proteins that help your skin structure such as elastin.
Collagen is an important component to maintain your joints. In between your joints are cartilage which is maintained mainly by it.
As you get older, the risk of developing joint disorders like osteoarthritis will increase. Taking collagen supplements may help improve symptoms arthritis by reducing joint pain.
Studies have shown that consuming collagen supplements at a daily dosage of 8 to 12 grams may relieve joint pain.
Collagen gives your bone its structure and helps to keep them strong. As you age, your bone mass will deteriorate. The reduction of bone mass can lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis means that you have low bone density and are at risk of easy bone fractures.
Growing old sucks huh!
This is why you should do all you can to prevent or slow down the ageing process by consuming collagen supplements while you are young.
Taking collagen amino acids help your body slow down bone deterioration!
Collagen makes up 1 to 10 % of muscle tissue. The collagen amino acids are necessary for your body to keep your muscles strong and functional.
The loss of muscle mass that happens as you grow older such as sarcopenia is not fun. Studies have shown that collagen amino acids help to boost muscle mass.
Collagen also promotes the synthesis of muscle proteins such as creatine. It also stimulates muscle growth after you exercise. Therefore, you will often see bodybuilders and athletes consume collagen supplements!
Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels
Taking collagen stimulates the growth of your hair and nails. Collagen amino acids also help to increase the strength of your nails. If you have brittle nails, this is the way to go.
Consuming collagen supplement helps to reduce the risk of heart-related conditions. Collagen provides structure to your arteries. Without enough collagen, arteries may become weak and fragile and you may even be more at risk of an aneurysm, heart attack, stroke or all three!
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. If there is not enough collagen in your body, your arteries may narrow or as the medical world knows it, lead to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis leads to a host of multiple heart problems.
The amino acids in collagen reduce GI inflammation and aid in better digestion.
No, not all collagen drinks are the same. You have to choose your collagen drink carefully as some do not provide enough boosting effects to show any long term benefits.
There are unethical companies in the market who mix the minimal amount of collagen into their supplements and is topped-up with other chemicals. Do proper research and read the labels of the supplements you are consuming.
If you are unsure about a collagen supplement, it is best to consult your doctor.
You can get the collagen you need by eating collagen boosting food such as bone broth.
However, collagen supplements and collagen drinks are also a good option since you do not really know how much collagen you are getting through food along.
Collagen supplements give you the exact amount you are taking. Usually, when you are taking collagen supplements, it has no flavour and dissolves easily in beverages and soups. Adding it to your food is pretty easy and simple.
Adding a spoonful or two of collagen powder to your juice or smoothie is an easy way to consume your collagen drink.
You can easily make some healthy collagen drink recipes at home or on the go!
Collagen drinks are not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle! This is something to take note of because many think that taking collagen will replace exercising and eating healthy.
Rather, you have to do both. You have to ensure that you eat well as well as consume collagen drinks so that your skin is in optimal condition. Taking extra collagen alone is not enough to ensure that you and your skin is healthy.
There are many benefits to taking collagen amino acid drinks. There are optimal levels of collagen to consume although taking slightly more than the recommended dosage is seen as safe in general.
Do read the label on the collagen supplement and when in doubt, consult your doctor. If you are wondering where you can start with taking collagen, we recommend that you take a look at aspurely Collagen Amino Acid Powder for a start and take it from there!
Co-founder and Head of Research
Ms Ong has more than 25 years of extensive experiences in research and development, conceptualization, formulation, and production process development. She is currently the Head of Research and Development at aspurely skincare.
She has authored 2 best-selling Beauty and Wellness books with Marshall Cavendish, Nature’s Spa: DIY Beauty Treatments and Nature’s Treats: Recipes for Wellness, which are currently available in the Singapore National Library collection.
Ms Ong was also a Beauty columnist for Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore's largest Chinese-language newspaper publication, with huge regional presence. As its weekly expert contributor, she shared the latest research and technologies from the Beauty industry, and addressed many readers’ skincare issues and concerns, offered beauty tips, quick fixes and insider knowledge.
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