It’s relatively common for people to want a proverbial “miracle cure,” “wonder supplement,” or “superfood” that can offer them a wide range of fantastic health benefits from a single, easy-to-use source. While such things are usually the stuff of fiction or misleading advertising campaigns, one specific substance could arguably qualify, thanks to all of the benefits it’s known to provide.
Below, our team of health and nutrition experts from Breinfuel will explore the basics you should know about collagen and the critical benefits that drinking it can provide to your body’s overall health and performance.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is widely known as the most prevalent protein within the human body, and it’s found in everything from our skin and tendons to our muscles and bones. In short, collagen naturally forms the scaffolding that provides our bodies with the structure and strength it needs to function optimally by helping support our connective tissue and holding cells together while giving our skin strength and elasticity.
While there are 28 known types of collagen, they’re generally divided into two key groups that people should know. Endogenous collagen is naturally synthesized by our body, while exogenous collagen is synthetic and comes from sources outside our body, like supplements and top-quality health beverages.
Below, we’ll focus on exogenous collagen and the wide variety of benefits it can provide to those who leverage it within their regular diet.
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How Do Collagen Drinks Work?
There’s a good chance that you’ve seen or heard about at least a few of the collagen drinks available on the market, and for good reason! Most collagen drinks include hydrolyzed collagen, which can be easily absorbed into the body and therefore have more bioavailability. According to a growing selection of research, the collagen peptides in drinks can help improve skin hydration and reduce wrinkles while strengthening the body’s natural collagen networks. It may also help enhance dermal collagen density and overall skin elasticity.
The Five Benefits of Collagen
Now that we’ve explored the basics of collagen and how it works, let’s explore five of the critical benefits collagen can provide the brain and body when taken regularly! If you’re not already adding a regular source of collagen to your diet, these benefits should convince you to make a few changes.
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Supports Skin Health
Alongside limiting sun exposure and staying appropriately hydrated, skin health experts believe that leveraging external sources of collagen may be one of the best anti-aging practices that people can leverage to support the health, appearance, and longevity of their skin. In one study, researchers found that 69% of women between 35 and 55 demonstrated noticeable skin elasticity improvement when given collagen supplements compared to a placebo, with older women seeing the most prominent benefits. Another study showed that collagen supplements helped drastically improve skin hydration in as little as eight weeks.
Helps Nail Growth
Some research indicates that collagen may also help fortify your nails and promote prolonged nail health, preventing them from becoming brittle and more prone to chips and breaks. In one study, those who received a daily dose of collagen for 24 weeks demonstrated a 12% increased nail growth, a 42% decrease in broken nails, and a 64% overall improvement in formerly brittle nails. Additionally, 88% of participants saw these positive changes appear in as little as one month.
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Supports a Healthy Gut
Research indicates that those suffering from conditions like Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn’s disease (CD) tend to have low levels of specific types of collagen. These conditions cause many issues, including fatigue, inflammation, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and more. Some studies indicate that supplementing with collagen beverages and other sources can help repair damaged intestinal lining and benefit those dealing with various gut health issues, especially inflammation-related ones.
Boost Muscle Mass
According to research, supplementing the collagen levels within your body may help support your muscles in a few crucial ways. First, collagen is a critical part of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which creates a scaffolding-like structure for organs and tissue. When it comes to muscle tissue, the ESM plays a critical role in maintenance, repair, and function. Additionally, collagen contains abundant amino acid glycine, which is essential in preventing muscle wasting. According to one study, participants given collagen supplements showed a notable increase in muscle mass and muscle strength.
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Supports Healthy Brain Function
According to some research, certain types of collagen (specifically collagen IV) can help protect the brain against the amyloid-beta proteins believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease by attacking neurons within the brain. By increasing collagen intake via supplements or collagen-containing beverages, people can improve their protection against amyloid-beta proteins, reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or potentially slowing its progression in those already diagnosed with the disease.
Concluding Thoughts to Consider
Collagen is the most abundant protein within the body, and it plays a critical role in making up the structural framework of our cells, tissue, and much more. Drinking collagen can produce a wide range of great benefits for your body and brain, especially when it comes from a top-quality health beverage like Breinfuel!
If you’d like to learn more about the fantastic benefits that our specially formulated health drinks can provide, please be sure to explore our website today. Also, browse our wide selection of other great health resources to access additional information on critical topics ranging from food science and antioxidants to the best sources of caffeine!
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