Collagen beverages and supplements have created a lot of excitement, with celebrities and influencers touting their skin, hair, and nail health advantages. Because collagen in the human body offers critical support to tissues, it becomes feasible that taking collagen supplement  may result in lush hair and a young radiance. But what does science say?

What is collagen?

Collagen is one of the most distinct proteins in the human body. A total of 18 experimentally demonstrated varieties of collagens participate in various metabolic processes and support the body’s tissue from within. Collagen provides structure, elasticity, and even strength to the bones, the skin, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. Numerous forms of collagen are essentially made up of amino acids like glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.

In it, the glycine level is the highest, while the hydroxyproline level is the lowest. The body should naturally create glycine and proline. Meals can stimulate their creation. Although essential amino acids are not visible in their exact form. As humans age, their bodies produce less collagen, which causes visible indicators of ageing, including wrinkles. With time, systems are completely incapable of replacing the collagen you lose as quickly as it is damaged. Beginning at twenty years, you lose approximately 1% of your collagen each year.

Would you try supplements with collagen or beverages?

At the moment, there is not enough evidence that taking collagen pills or drinking collagen drinks will have a difference in skin, hair, or nails. Human beings are unable to absorb collagen in all of its forms. For it to reach the bloodstream.

• It needs to be broken into smaller peptides that can be absorbed via the gut.
• These peptides are further broken down into the particles that make proteins like keratin and it helps produce skin, hair, and nails.
• Alternatively, the peptides may produce collagen that is deposited in other regions of the human body including, cartilage, bone, muscles, or tendons.

Thus far, no human research has demonstrated that collagen taken orally will come to an end up in the skin, hair, or fingernails. If you want to enhance your skin’s texture and suppleness (minimising wrinkles), focus on sunscreen and topical retinoids that provide the best collagen for women over 50. Extensive studies have previously shown that measures are effective.

Precaution is better

If you decide to, investigate collagen supplements or drinks,

• check the ingredient list and protein profile.
• Avoid supplements that include too many chemicals or fillers.
• Products high in prolyl hydroxyproline or hydroxyprolylglycine are more effective at eliminating wrinkles and enhancing skin moisture content.

People who are prone to arthritis or have other medical disorders that necessitate protein restriction should avoid collagen pills or drinks.

There are no large-scale trials available to assess the advantages of dietary collagen supplements on skin and hair health. If you are worried about thinning or lacklustre hair, brittle nails, or maintaining smooth and healthy skin, go to a physician or a dermatologist for a range of options.