How Collagen Helps Your Body
Taking a collagen supplement may have numerous health benefits, from relieving joint pain to improving skin health, along with many other benefits.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and is the major component of connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles.
What Damages Collagen?
High sugar consumption
Smoking
Sunlight
Autoimmune disorders
Genetic changes
Aging
Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements
Can improve skin health
Collagen plays a role in strengthening skin and may assist its elasticity and hydration. Several studies have shown that collagen peptides or supplements containing collagen may help slow the aging of your skin by reducing wrinkles and dryness.
Helps relieve joint pain
Collagen helps maintain the integrity of your cartilage, which is the rubber-like tissue that protects your joints. Some studies have shown that taking collagen supplements may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce joint pain overall.
Scientists have theorized that supplementary collagen may accumulate in cartilage and stimulate your tissues to make collagen. This may lead to lower inflammation, better support of your joints, and reduced pain.
Could prevent bone loss
Your bones are made mostly of collagen, which gives them structure and helps keep them strong. Just as the collagen in your body deteriorates as you age, so does bone mass.
Consuming collagen supplements may help reduce the risk of bone disorders and have the potential to help increase bone mineral density.
Could boost muscle mass
A small percentage of muscle tissue is composed of collagen, but this protein is necessary to keep your muscles strong and functioning properly. Research has shown that consuming collagen supplements can increase muscle growth and strength in people with age-related muscle mass loss.
Promotes heart health
Researchers have theorized that taking collagen supplements may help reduce the risk of heart-related conditions. Collagen provides structure to your arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Without enough collagen, arteries may become weak and fragile.