Collagen in Coffee: How This Trend Can Boost Your Health
- Collagen is an abundant protein that provides strength and structure to the body. Since collagen production declines, collagen supplements replenish collagen stores.
- There are many ways to incorporate collagen into your daily life, from mixing it into soups and smoothies to baking or cooking with it.
- Collagen in coffee is a winning combination. It can offer improved brain function, nutritious antioxidants and healthier skin and joints.
If you’re looking for some added benefits from your daily cup of coffee, collagen can help. Artificial creamers and sugars can pack in calories and leave you feeling sluggish. By comparison, collagen powder and liquid collagen supplements offer many health benefits. This includes improvements in hair, skin, nails and joints.[1] Collagen supplements dissolve well into liquids to offer a creamy texture (perfect for sprucing up a basic black cup of coffee).
But collagen in coffee has also stirred up concerns about whether the heat from coffee could destroy collagen. Keep reading to learn more about collagen and whether it makes the perfect addition to a hearty cup of joe.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen plays a major role in the body as the main structural protein. It’s abundant in the skin, muscles, bones, joints and connective tissue, where it acts as a glue to provide support. While there are 28 types of collagen, type I is the most prominent, making up 90 percent of the body’s collagen.[2] Type II and type III are also common.
Collagen production slows down as we age. Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as pollution, sun damage and smoking, also play a role.[3] To counter the effects of collagen loss (wrinkles, saggy skin, brittle bones), you have to amp up your collagen intake. You can do this with food, bone broth and supplements.
Collagen Benefits
Now that you have a basic understanding of what collagen is, you might be wondering, “does collagen really work?”
Some evidence suggests daily collagen supplementation has scientifically backed benefits. This includes:
Improved Skin Health
Collagen can’t turn back the wheels of time. But it does have some benefits that may make it as essential as your favorite serum, retinol or moisturizer. Several studies have found that collagen increases skin hydration, moisture and elasticity.[4]
How much collagen should one have to see results? Anywhere from 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen daily is safe and effective.
Reduced Joint Pain
Bones contain a large amount of collagen, so when collagen dwindles as you age, it affects the skeletal system. These changes may lead to osteoporosis (OA), a degenerative joint disease that causes swelling and stiffness.[5]
Collagen supplements may help by preventing the loss of bone density. A review of studies found that taking collagen (particularly type II) can inhibit inflammation that can lead to joint pain and mobility issues.[6] That said, more research needs to be done before collagen can be recommended as a treatment for OA.
Prevention of Bone Loss
A woman’s menopause journey isn’t limited to hot flashes, irritability and missed periods. Research has found that some women develop an increased risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis due to a large drop in estrogen.[7]
Along with daily exercise, supplements may be able to prevent brittle bones. In a 2018 randomized, placebo-controlled study, postmenopausal women who took 5 grams of collagen per day for 12 months saw significant improvements in bone density.[8] These results were more dramatic when combined with calcium and vitamin D.
Collagen Supplements
There are many different types of collagen supplements, such as liquid, powder and capsules. These are largely sourced from animals, such as cows, chickens and fish.
Most collagen supplements contain hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen peptides. This means that the collagen is broken down into smaller units to make it easier for the body to absorb.
Our Bulletproof Collagen Peptides contains 20 grams of collagen per serving. It comes in flavorless or flavored options and easily mixes into hot or cold drinks.
Should I Put Collagen in Coffee?
Yes, you should add collagen to your coffee. Making this part of your daily routine helps you reap the perks of both collagen and coffee.
There have been some concerns over whether the temperature of hot coffee would destroy collagen. This shouldn’t be a roadblock for those looking to get their coffee and collagen fix.
Bulletproof and other high-quality collagen peptides can typically withstand temperatures up to 393 degrees Fahrenheit. For a point of reference, coffee is usually brewed between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.[9]
The Original + Collagen Coffee Pods makes it easy to mix collagen and coffee. Each box comes with 10 coffee pods that contain 5g of unflavored collagen protein. The pods are compatible with Keurig® single-serve brewers.
Both collagen and coffee are unsung wellness heroes. Collagen is the most abundant protein, responsible for healthy skin, joints and bones. Meanwhile, coffee is known for improving brain function and being chock-full of antioxidants.[10]
When combined, collagen in coffee is a perfect match that makes it easy to get the daily recommended supplementation of collagen.
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