What Exactly is Liquid Collagen?
With an overwhelming amount of evidence, maybe you’ve come to the conclusion that taking collagen isn’t a bad idea. After all, we no longer eat as our ancestors once did—and, inevitably, this means we don’t obtain the same nutrients via the food we eat. Yet, due to the slow progress of evolution, our bodies still require similar nutrients and amounts.
Liquid collagen is a type of collagen supplement that can help ensure you obtain adequate collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen is essential for supporting the structure of various tissues, including the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, and teeth.
Both liquid collagen and collagen powder supplements provide you with the same benefits. Collagen in any form comes originally from hydrolysed powder collagen, liquid collagen in particular has gone through extra levels of processing to make it a liquid.
So, let’s explore liquid collagen a bit further. What is liquid collagen? Can you purchase pre-made liquid collagen drinks? What are the benefits of liquid collagen exactly?
What is Liquid Collagen Made Of?
Liquid collagen typically contains hydrolyzed collagen and, most often, contains water as the liquid portion. The collagen is dissolved in the liquid. However, some liquid collagen drinks may include juice or another type of liquid, with some even boosting vitamin C content.
There are further quite a few types of liquid collagen supplements. For instance, bovine collagen is derived from beef tissue and is easy for the body to absorb. Yet, collagen may also come from sheep, chicken, duck, fish, or other marine sources. In fact, marine liquid collagen is fairly popular and easy to find alongside bovine sources.
Secrets Liquid Collagen Suppliers Don't Want You To Know
Some of the ready made liquid collagen suppliers appear to suggest that their liquid collagen product works better than a powdered collagen product.
Here's what they don't tell you.
Collagen is always sourced commercially in a powder form.
The ready made liquid collagen shots started out as a powdered collagen, they then add water and some artificial flavouring.
That's it. And this all comes at a premium price.
So as you can see, it's absolutely no different to you starting out with a powdered collagen and adding it to your own drink at home!!
Does Liquid Collagen Actually Work?
Yes! Various studies and research show the effectiveness of taking liquid collagen supplements.
By the time you turn 40 years old, you lose 1% of the body’s collagen each year, indicating the importance of making sure you reach your daily quota. Surprisingly, by the time a person turns 80, they’ll have lost about 75% of their collagen. Yet, by replacing this collagen through dietary supplementation, you can improve these numbers and thwart various adverse effects caused by insufficient collagen.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Liquid Collagen?
Liquid collagen has the same benefits to regular powder collagen. The only difference between collagen powder and liquid collagen is that liquid collagen, as mentioned above, is dissolved in a type of liquid.
Liquid collagen benefits include:
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving skin hydration
- Promoting skin cell rejuvenation
- Enhancing skin texture
- Improving wound healing
- Promoting good joint and bone health
- Enhancing nail and hair health
In particular, a 2018 study showed how drinking a liquid collagen drink enhanced not only joint health and improved skin elasticity but also improved the general overall well-being of participants. In fact, participants reported a 43% decrease in joint pain and a 39% increase in joint mobility.
Research also demonstrated how participants taking 2.5 grams of collagen supplementation experienced 12% nail growth, 42% less nail breakage, and overall improved nail appearance.
In general, it seems that 2.5 grams (or what is indicated on the particular liquid collagen supplement’s label) is the recommended daily dosage for collagen.
Other Forms of Collagen
Liquid collagen isn’t the only option. You can also purchase collagen powder a purer form of hydrolysed collagen (which allows you to add collagen to various meals or snacks, such as smoothies or soups), or you may simply choose to consume more collagen-rich foods.
Some excellent sources of collagen from food include:
- Bone broth
- Beef
- Dairy products
- Fish
- Poultry
Alternatively, many individuals choose to combine collagen-rich foods with collagen supplementation, such as collagen powder or liquid collagen. The right combination for you may depend on your lifestyle and dietary habits.
Liquid Collagen Supplements: Should You Try Them?
Collagen is an important protein in the body. In fact, it’s the most abundant protein found in the body. Inevitably, this means that getting enough collagen is essential for overall health and well-being.
Liquid collagen can be part of a healthy and well-rounded diet. Since liquid collagen is often hydrolyzed, it’s already often broken down into its small counterparts known as amino acids. This can make it easy to digest, as well as easy to dissolve in other liquids or foods.
At the end of the day, consuming liquid collagen is a personal choice. If you’re unsure if it’s right for you and your health, again, talk to your doctor or track your protein intake to determine if you’re getting enough (many people don’t!). Collagen might just be the missing piece in your daily diet!