Top 8 Benefits of Collagen
Know a little more about this star ingredient.
It’s no secret that we love Collagen here at The Diet Coach. The best-selling Ultra Collagen Drink alone has 10,000mg per serving while the Glow Pop has 6,000mg. Collagen has been a hot ingredient for some time now and for good reason! Shelves are lined with products because the benefits are amazing. And you’d actually be surprised to know that it offers a wider range of benefits than you think.
Below, we list down 8 more reasons to love collagen:
1. Skin
Here’s something you might not know: collagen is a major component in our skin. It is the most abundant protein in the human body and provides the skin’s structural integrity. So it’s no surprise that it offers you an array of benefits to improve your skin health, from anti-aging to healing wounds. Many studies have reported that the use of collagen supplements is helpful in treating both dry skin and wrinkles by boosting skin hydration and elasticity. Collagen also helps keep pores tighter, and in turn, decreases oil production and emission. And as if all of that isn’t enough, collagen also helps in lightening dark spots and brightening the skin to have that radiant and youthful glow.
2. Hair
Collagen can be an effective tool in preventing early hair loss, graying, and thinning. It helps increase the body’s hair-building proteins, resulting in longer and thicker hair. Collagen also plays a role in supporting the healthy structure of the hair follicle which in turn, helps gray hair to appear darker and brittle hair to be more hydrated.
3. Stronger Nails
A broken fingernail is surely a heartbreak we wouldn’t want to wish on anyone. If you’re tired of investing in long nails only for it to be chipped off by a measly task, collagen will be of big help to you. Collagen is said to strengthen nails by preventing brittleness and even stimulate nail growth.
4. Better Sleep
Another thing collagen is good for is improving the quality of sleep. Collagen contains high amounts of glycine, a protein which is associated with improving sleep. Studies show that people who take glycine have less fatigue and daytime sleepiness as it helps people experience easier and deeper sleep.
5. Tendon and Joint can reduce pain
Not a lot of people know that this popular beauty ingredient can also help in relieving tendon and joint pain. Collagen plays a vital role in the growth and repair of cartilage—a connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints. As we get older, cartilage wears off so maintaining high levels of collagen is important in reducing pain in joints and tendons as well as decreasing the risk of developing degenerative joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Collagen can especially come in handy if you lead an active lifestyle. Multiple studies show that the intake of collagen helps reduce joint pain and inflammation, which in turn may result in better engagement in physical activities.
6. Bones
Collagen serves as the primary building blocks of bones, making up more than 90% of the bone structure. Studies show that taking collagen supplements improve BMD or bone mineral density, which is needed in making bones strong and healthy. Collagen is also said to boost calcium absorption, improve bone strength, and prevent deterioration of bone density.
7. Gut Healing Properties
Collagen is said to help heal the intestinal barrier and prevent intestinal permeability or the “leaky gut” syndrome. The glycine in collagen helps to decrease inflammation and renew tissues in your digestive tract, therefore helping to heal and seal the gut lining. This process helps improve digestion and better nutrient absorption.
8. Mood Booster
Glycine, which as we know is abundant in collagen, offers various benefits that help in improving your mood. Glycine is an inhibitory transmitter, meaning it calms the brain, reduces anxiety, and creates balance. People who take glycine reportedly had an improvement in mood and reduced feelings of uneasiness. From the variety of benefits that are mentioned in this list, it makes sense that once the rest of your body improves, it’s only a matter of time before your mood improves too!