Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, helping build nearly everything from your bones to your skin. It’s an essential component of connective tissue that provides strength, structure, and resilience throughout your body. It also creates the “glue” that holds cells in place within tissues.  

Your body naturally produces collagen every day, but production gradually declines during the aging process. On the outside, the signs of diminished collagen production can show up as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin (1). On the inside, the cartilage in joints can begin to lose its strength and resilience, impacting comfort and mobility (2).  

Supplementing with collagen daily can benefit your body in more ways than one! Here are five science-backed benefits of collagen. 

1. Promotes Healthy Skin

Type I collagen is the building block of our skin’s structure, making up around 80% of our skin’s dermal layer. Our bodies produce collagen naturally, but its production begins to decrease as we age. Collagen peptide supplementation has been shown to be beneficial for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin (3). Studies also show a benefit for improving collagen synthesis in the deep layers of the skin, helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles (4, 5). 

2. Supports Joint and Bone Health

Approximately 60% of cartilage and 80% of the human skeleton is made of collagen. As we age and our collagen production decreases, bone density and cartilage cushions also begin to decrease as their predominantly collagen structure receives less and less collagen over time. However, research suggests that consuming collagen peptides may nutritionally support and benefit our bodies by maintaining bone density, strength, joint health, and improved joint comfort (6, 7). In one placebo-controlled study, athletes reported benefits for joint comfort and range of motion after consuming 5 grams of collagen peptides daily for 12 weeks (8). 

3. Boosts Your Immune System

Healthy skin is part of a healthy immune system. Our skin plays a role in our immune system by acting as a protective barrier, and our bones help to regulate immune cell activity. Within the dermal layer of our skin is the extracellular matrix (ECM), helping to keep the epidermis strong. The ECM is also where immune cells work to regulate a variety of functions, including immune response (10). Like skin, bones are largely made up of collagen. Deep within our bones is the birthplace of all immune cells — the bone marrow. The bone and immune cells work together to maintain a healthy immune system (10).  

4. Improves Muscle Mass

While muscle is not made up of as much collagen as other tissues in our bodies, studies have shown that supplementing with collagen in conjunction with resistance training may improve muscle mass and body composition (11). One hypothesis behind this observation is that collagen is made up of amino acids, including arginine and glycine, which are substrates for creatine production in the body (11). Creatine is the predominant source of immediate energy stored in muscle tissue and plays a key role in muscle mass, strength, and exercise by fueling our muscles. Other studies have shown that collagen improves the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix in muscles (10, 11). While scientists are uncertain about the exact mechanism for collagen’s impact on muscle mass, additional studies continue to show positive results. 

5. Provides Flexibility for Arteries

Just like with other tissues, the veins and arteries in our cardiovascular system are mostly made of collagen, helping to make them flexible for blood to travel throughout our bodies. Age, poor diet, and other lifestyle and environmental factors can negatively impact the health and condition of our cardiovascular system over time, causing the vascular walls to become rigid and the surfaces to fray. Research has shown that collagen peptide supplementation may significantly improve existing vascular wall damage and blood vessel elasticity in healthy individuals (12).  

With all the benefits, it should come as no surprise that collagen is found in a wide array of products, ranging from foods and dietary supplements to cosmetics and skincare products. Now you just need to decide which collagen product is right for you! 

 

References 

  1. Chung JH, Seo JY, Choi HR, Lee MK, Youn CS, Rhie G, Cho KH, Kim KH, Park KC, Eun HC. Modulation of skin collagen metabolism in aged and photoaged human skin in vivo. J Invest Dermatol. 2001 Nov;117(5):1218-24. 
  2. Rahmati M, Nalesso G, Mobasheri A, Mozafari M. Aging and osteoarthritis: Central role of the extracellular matrix. Ageing Res Rev. 2017 Nov;40:20-30. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2017.07.004 
  3. Inoue N, Sugihara F, Wang X. Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study. J Sci Food Agric. 2016 Sep;96(12):4077-81. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7606. 
  4. Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee BY. Oral intake of low-molecular-weight collagen peptide improves hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling in human skin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrients. 2018 Jun 26;10(7). doi: 10.3390/nu10070826. 
  5. Asserin J, Lati E, Shioya T, Prawitt J. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015 Dec;14(4):291-301. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12174. 
  6. Porfirio E, Fanaro G. Collagen supplementation as a complementary therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2016; 19(1): 153-164 doi: 10.1590/1809-9823.2016.14145 
  7. Elam ML, Johnson SA, Hooshmand S, Feresin RG, Payton ME, Gu J, Arjmandi BH. A calcium-collagen chelate dietary supplement attenuates bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomised controlled trial. J Med Food. 2015 Mar;18(3):324-31. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2014.0100. 
  8. Zdzieblik D, Oesser S, Gollhofer A, König D. Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2017 Jun;42(6):588-595. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2016-0390. 
  9. Oesser S, Leser S, Hausmanns S, et. al. (2021 January 20th). The role of specific collagen peptides in immune health [Webinar]. GELITA. www.immupept.com 
  10. Buford TW, Kreider RB, Stout JR, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: creatine supplementation and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2007 Aug;4:6. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-4-6. 
  11. Gillies AR, Lieber RL. Structure and function of the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix. Muscle Nerve. 2011;44(3):318-331. doi:10.1002/mus.22094 
  12. Tomosugi N, Yamamoto S, Takeuchi M, et al. Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2017;24(5):530-538. doi:10.5551/jat.36293