Last year I stumbled upon an article from the Wellness Mama when I was pregnant that touched on the benefits and uses of gelatin and collagen. I immediately purchased a container of Great Lakes gelatin but it sat in the back of my pantry for months and I completely forgot about it until I started seeing it pop up everywhere again in recent months.
After reading more and more about the positive benefits of gelatin and collagen, I figured it was time to start incorporating it into my diet. I promised you guys a blog post all about collagen and today I’m going to address the most common questions I’ve received and touch on the benefits of collagen, changes I’ve seen, how it tastes and how I incorporate it into my diet.
Heeeere we go!
What is the difference between gelatin and collagen?
Collagen hydrolysate is not the exact same thing as gelatin but they both have the same amino acids. Collagen in the hydrolyzed form is processed more, breaking down the proteins into smaller pieces. True gelatin only dissolves in HOT water and causes liquids to gel but collagen hydrolysate is water soluble in both cold and hot water. Collage hydrolysate will not congeal because it has been hydrolyzed for quick assimilation and improved hydration to the connective tissue. I prefer collagen hydrolysate for its easy dissolvability in coffee and smoothies.
What are the benefits of collagen?
Though a myriad of benefits surrounding collagen can be found, below you will find the three rockstar benefits of collagen that jumped out at me and encouraged me to begin incorporating it into my daily diet.
Skin/Hair/Nail Health: Collagen consumption can help reverse signs of aging and increases skin elasticity and moisture. Aging, sun exposure and poor health choices can cause a decrease in collagen levels in the skin and collagen can help increase the firmness of the dermis (the bottom layer of your skin), reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Structural changes in the skin, including weakened collagen, can make the appearance of cellulite more prevalent. When skin loses shape, elasticity and firmness, the appearance of cellulite is more visible because the skin is thinner and less able to conceal irregularities. Collagen can improve skin texture by increasing firmness and aid nail and hair growth.
Improved Digestion: The amino acids in collagen provide reparative and soothing properties that aid in digestion and improve the assimilation of nutrients. Collagen supports the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and helps repair stomach lining. Collagen may also help coat the digestive tract to improve digestion and help heal intestinal permeability.
Joint and Bone Health: Collagen is essential for mobility and provides the infrastructure of the musculoskeletal system. Bone is a living tissue that supports our muscles, protects vital internal organs, and stores most of the body’s calcium. It consists mainly of a framework of tough, elastic fibers of collagen and crystals of calcium phosphate mineral that harden and strengthen the framework. The combination of collagen and calcium phosphate makes bones strong yet flexible to hold up under stress. The consumption of collagen helps with elasticity and regeneration of tendons, cartilage, bones, joints and skin and may improve bone and joint health over time. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends collagen to help promote faster healing. Collagen may also help with joint and bone comfort and alleviate some of the pain for those who experience joint and bone discomfort and pain.
What kind of collagen do you use?
I initially purchased Great Lakes gelatin in the orange container and used it for a little more than a month. I was able to get it to dissolve in hot coffee by stirring vigorously but it would often congeal a bit. After switching to Great Lakes collagen hydrolysate, a water soluble form of collagen that dissolves instantly in hot or cold liquids, I was much happier since I could easily add a tablespoon of the collagen into my morning cup of coffee without worrying about it turning into a gel.
Though I prefer the dissolvable form of collagen, there are collagen gummies and gel capsules also available for those who prefer a quick and easy way to add collagen into their daily routine.
How do you use it? What does it taste like?
I add a tablespoon of collagen hydrolysate to my morning cup of coffee every day (and a second tablespoon to my second cup of coffee). It dissolves instantly and has absolutely no taste.
I have added it to cold water once and felt like I could slightly taste something but it was very faint and probably more in my head than anything.
Still, I prefer adding collagen to more flavorful beverages because then I don’t feel like I’m trying to figure out if I can taste it or not. (Totally a mental thing, I know.)
I will also add collagen to smoothies for an unflavored punch of protein. Two tablespoons of collagen have 43 calories and 11 grams of protein, so it’s a great way to amp up the protein in a fruity smoothie without altering the flavor at all.
Have you noticed any changes since you began incorporating collagen into your diet?
I held off on writing this post for a little while because I wanted to be able to share something with you guys beyond a post about the supposed benefits of collagen and report back with my personal findings.
I haven’t been taking collagen long enough to share any long-term amazing results, but here are some things I have noticed after several months of daily use:
Less achiness in the morning. For some reason, whenever I get out of bed first thing in the morning, my feet are often achy. (Oh the joys of getting older!) The achy feeling dissipates after a few minutes but I have noticed that it is less intense and seems to go away faster now that I am regularly taking collagen.
Reduced cellulite. Please do not mistake this statement for me saying I have found the cure for cellulite. Nope! But have I noticed less cellulite on the back of my legs and my butt since I started taking collagen? Yes. Is it dramatic? No. But it is something and I’ll take it!
Faster growing and stronger nails. This is a great thing for me since I still occasionally bite my nails (but not so great when I notice my toenails growing faster, too, and have to paint them more regularly)! I also feel like my fingernails are less brittle which is always a good thing!
Healthier looking skin. This is, without a doubt, the best thing I’ve noticed! I truly feel like my skin looks brighter and more youthful since incorporating collagen into my diet. It’s not the fountain of youth, but if it can help me feel better in my skin, I’m all for it.
My current natural beauty anti-aging routine includes the daily use of collagen, rose hip seed oil and Beautycounter Rejuvenating Radiance Serum and I’ve been very happy with this trio!
Additional Information
Curious to learn more about collagen? Check out the resources below!
- Effects of Oral Ingestion of Hydrolyzed Gelatin
- Collagen as a Supplement for Athletes with Activity-Related Joint Pain
- Annual Review of Food Science and Technology: Gelatin and Collagen
- All About Gelatin and Collagen
- Do Collagen Supplements Work Better Than Anti-Wrinkle Creams
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Disclaimer: This blog post contains information gathered from my personal research and experience with collagen. Please do your own research and consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or supplement routine. As with most supplements, even the most natural, some people may experience side effects. While this post is not sponsored in any way, affiliate links are included and I greatly appreciate your support!
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I just purchased the rejuvenating beauty serum, rosehip oil and collagen to try all three together.
When do you apply the rejuvenating beauty serum? Before bed? Before or after the rosehip oil?
Thank you for the recommendations!
I have rheumatoid arthritis and use collagen as part of my arsenal to combat the side effects. Your comment about your sore feet in the AM struck a chord with me because it was one of my first symptoms (one that I ignored as a super active young woman). You should google rheumatoid arthritis and see if the other symptoms sound familiar to you. I ignored my sore feel (and later sore hands and fatigue) too long and ended up in a bad spot with a severe flare and wish I hadn’t ignored the symptoms for so long. Thanks for a great post.
Hi Jen! I don’t mean to pry, but I too had those three symptoms, but I didn’t have arthritis. I had Lyme Disease. Sore feat, fatigue, and achy joints are also signs of chonic lyme disease. Just thought I’d send along that nugget of information.
Here’s a checklist of all the Lyme symptoms (yes, there are a lot because Lyme can affect multiple systems in the body). And – another factoid – it’s often misdiagnosed as arthritis! Crazy!
https://canlyme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Symptomchecklist-burrascano.pdf
Do you take the collagen with vitamin c? I just bought collagen and the container recommends taking with vitamin c for maximum absorption. It also recommends taking it on an empty stomach. Just curious if you’d heard this as well.
I did some research and vitamin C works to boost protein production, especially including collagen. I’ve been taking collagen and it’s helped my skin and joints a lot. I’m not sure about the empty stomach recommendation, I take mine with breakfast, but hope this helps! And this recipe was GREAT!!
Interesting article. Didn’t knew that collagen supplement has so many benefits until I read this article. I browsed online and found out that as we age the collagen content reduces in our body and so we should maintain the balance by external intake of collagen for healthy joints & anti aging effect. To learn more visit https://www.imageskincare.com/by-collection/yana-daily-collagen.html , I found out about this through my aunt she is been consuming collagen supplements regularly in the form of collagen drink and is experiencing less joint pain then before & she says it helped her in reducing aging effect too.
Hi Julie,
Are there other brands you recommend for the collagen hydrolysate? Have you heard/used Zint before?
Hi Julie a quick question… do you take collagen while also taking a prenatal multivitamin? Some of the research I was doing about the product said that too much calcium can cause side effects and I was wondering if you had any issues taking both? Thanks!
Great info Julie thanks so much for sharing. I need to jump on the collagen train!
I came across this blog trying to to find out specific information about blending collagen with protein powders.
I have been taking 3 heaping tablespoons of great Lakes hydrosylate for over 2 years now, and the benefits are remarkable.
I am 57 and a weight lifter, and the support of joint lubrication and mobility is amazing. As I have aged I begin to feel the joints under weight stress and this has helped tremendously.
I also used a double dosage when I began dieting to lose 60 pounds, and without lasting stretch marks. As we age the elasticity in our skin diminishes and this will help with keeping the skin more elastic (less wrinkles and enhanced skin shrinkage to accommodate weight loss.
Other side effects include hair growth and thicker nails.
I do not add to my protein powder shakes. I learned some years ago that when you take isolated amino acid compounds and eat or ingest with other proteins they will recombine with the protein chain, and you lose the benefit of the specifically targeted amino acid.
This is why many body builders do not find any benefit to stacking L-Glutamine or L-Arginine because they add to the protein shakes. i just made the leap that the collagen would react in the same manner.
It would be nice to add to my protein powder, hence the search here, but to no avail.
I still will religiously continue taking collagen. Also, if you are a serious user, forget about the little cans from Great Lakes. I buy in the 8 pound bulk bag. It goes quick and the savings year over year is significant.
Curious if you have found more evidence about mixing collagen with whey or casein protein? I currently do without knowing it might not be helping but hoped to find more evidence!? Thanks in advance
What a great post!
I just purchased my first container of marine collagen and there is a distinctly unpleasant taste-I tried it in a glass of juice.
Have you noticed any other mediums (hot beverage, baked goods) that disguise the flavor?
Thanks for this post!
Do you know if you can take collagen while breastfeeding/pumping??
You can most certainly take this while breast feeding. It is a normal protein that is healthy for you and your baby. I wouldn’t worry about it effecting anything regarding breast feeding.
I’m confused about collagen and gelatin and their benefits a lot! After reading your post, I have got all my questions answered!
I’ve been taking grass fed collagen about a month ago or two months ago and I noticed that I now do not have the digestive/constipation I had. I eat a ketogenic diet and lots of vegetables but that did not help. The collagen did the trick and I don’t have to take excess amounts of magnesium. I’ve also noticed good results on my nails and skin so I couldn’t be happier
Hi Julie
Thanks for this article. I did the same thing. I just saw the container in the back of the cabinet yesterday and thought I should be using it but wasn’t sure how. As a person that suffers from the pain of arthritis, I’m going to start adding the collagen to my daily coffee. Thanks for this info and all you do. I love to read your posts.
I’m just curious…do you still use collagen and if so, which one?
Thank you for this post! I have been on the fence about trying out collagen! Do you currently take it during pregnancy, too? I’m due in early July 🙂