Collagen is an essential part of your health. It’s the new buzzword that everyone is talking about and can be found in cosmetics powders, pills, and creams. It’s the most plentiful protein in the body and collagen is available in your ligaments, cartilage, bones, blood, and skin. Your body does produce collagen on a regular basis, but it can slow down with age. College production can also come to a stop with an unhealthy diet, sun exposure, or smoking. Collagen peptide supplements can help you increase your collagen consumption and offer some benefits.

Can Help with Joint Pain: As cartilages deteriorate, you can feel achy and stiff joints. Upping your collagen intake can help alleviate some of these symptoms.

May Be Able to Reverse Skin Aging: One of the main benefits of collagen is the ability to promote vibrant and glowing skin. This protein helps skin with its elasticity, which makes it appear healthy and more youthful. As collagen production declines, then loose skin and fine lines can occur. A study in 2014 showed that collagen showed an improvement in skin elasticity in four weeks.

Helps Burn Fat and Build Muscle: Collagen is an important part of muscle tissue so it’s not a surprise that it can have an impact when it comes to creating muscle. Collagen also contains glycine, which helps create creatine. This can provide muscles with the fuel that is needed to power through a workout. There isn’t a lot of research when it comes to collagen and exercise, but there has been a study that looked at collagen peptide supplements in older males. After 12 weeks, men who took the supplements and participated in resistance training saw an increase in muscle strength.

May Help with Cellulite: Collagen helps keep your skin glowing and it can also help with the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is when the layer of fat under the skin will push up and create a lumpy or dimpled appearance. One study shows a reduced amount of cellulite in those who took the supplements, but more studies should be done.

Can Help with Digestive Health: Collagen is also found in the gut’s connective tissues and helps strengthen and support the lining of the digestive tract. Any alterations in this barrier can cause particles to get into the bloodstream and result in inflammation. The current theory is if you increase collagen, then it helps build up those tissues to give you better gut health.

You can add collagen to your diet by taking supplements or experimenting with bone broth and powdered gelatin. Collagen supplements can be added to hot beverages, baked goods, or smoothies and also give you some extra protein for the day.