These collagen peptide benefits will make you realize just how easy it is to get your daily dose of the good stuff in every day.
If you follow any wellness trends, you’ll know that collagen is HOT and has been for many years.
That’s for good reason! Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and helps us build bones, skin, muscles, tissue, tendons, ligaments and more. And, as we get older, our bodies naturally start to produce less of it, and less quality collagen, which starts the whole aging process—boo!
By adding a collagen supplement powder, we can give our bodies a little extra help!
One of the easiest ways to get more collagen in your diet is to simply add it to your coffee. This was my gateway to collagen too. I’ve been mixing in one scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, one of the best collagen supplements in my opinion, into my coffee since before Owen was born! Since then, I’ve gotten more creative with how I get collagen into my diet every single day, because I don’t actually drink coffee every day.
While the results might not show up immediately, over time the addition of collagen has made a huge impact on my health and my hair growth. I’m so glad I gave this wellness trend a try almost 6 years ago!
6 Collagen Peptide Benefits
Hair, Skin & Nails
I think this is the biggest reason people start to take collagen peptides—they want thicker hair, stronger nails and healthier skin, and this is one of the best collagen supplements benefits!
Collagen peptides can actually help slow the aging process by reducing wrinkles and dryness. It can boost skin’s elasticity as well!
Personally, I’ve noticed the collagen peptide benefits for skin—my skin looks healthier, smoother and plumper and only gets better with time. My nails are so strong, seriously, I wish you could feel them, and my hair is healthy and thick.
Gut Health
Collagen helps heal our guts because it contains an amino acid that’s necessary in rebuilding your intestinal walls. This is great news if you suffer from leaky gut, a condition where gaps in the intestinal walls allow toxins, bacteria and other stuff that shouldn’t escape pass through to the bloodstream. As the walls of your gut heals, it becomes less permeable, so that your body can better absorb vitamins and nutrients.
For me, this has been the biggest benefit! I’ve struggled with gut issues over the years, and I can confidently say that a daily dose of collagen has greatly impacted my gut health. I rarely have an issue these days!
Since so much of our health and immune system starts in our gut, I’ve also seen my energy levels, skin clarity and overall health improve greatly as well.
Adding collagen alone will not completely heal your gut, you’ll definitely need to make some diet changes. Start with eating more fruits and veggies, less refined and processed foods (or none at all), and less refined sugars.
RELATED: How to do a Sugar Detox
Joint Health
Collagen is essential in keeping cartilage healthy in our bodies. As cartilage starts to deteriorate, it can lead to joint pain. According to this article, athletes who added collagen to their diet for 70 days, reported less joint pain! So, if you’re wondering “do collagen supplements work?” the answer is yes!
Extra Protein
Two scoops of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides has 18g of protein! Some days I struggle to get in the recommended amount of protein, and this ensures that I’ve gotten an extra dose. I use it in place of sometimes chalky protein powder in my smoothies because it’s completely tasteless!
Boost your Immune System
Have you ever heard that your immune system starts in your gut? According to this article, nearly 80% of our immune system lives in your gut! So, if you haven’t been taking good care of it, it’s time to start.
Because collagen helps heal your gut, it in turn strengthens your immune system—win, win! Again, this doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen.
About 2 years ago, I was getting sick nearly every month. I focused on healing my gut with my diet and supplements, and now, I rarely get sick! Owen does occasionally bring me some sniffles or a bug from daycare, but it doesn’t last as long as it used to either.
RELATED: How to Boost your Immune System Naturally
Calms Inflammation
Because collagen can help heal your gut, it in turn reduces inflammation in your body. It really all keeps coming back to gut health, doesn’t it? So much of inflammation starts there, especially if you’re struggling with gut permeability. Once that’s healed, you’ll notice less and less inflammation throughout your body.
I can attest to this! One place I’ve really noticed this other than my gut, is in my skin. I used to get breakouts that would leave my face red, tender and sore. It would take forever for my skin to heal too. Nowadays, my skin doesn’t have nearly as intense reaction, and any breakouts heal quickly, it’s crazy!
Pregnancy
Taking collagen during pregnancy and breastfeeding is safe, but if you’re worried, ask your doctor to be sure. Supports skin elasticity which is ideal during pregnancy since your body is stretching a lot. It’s great for your joint and ligaments which have added stress on them while making room for a baby.
It’s also great for your skin, which can turn into a hot mess while pregnant! I went through that with Owen, but this go around, my skin has been really clear.
How to Take Collagen Supplements
Coffee
I already mentioned this one, but this is the easiest and by far one of the most popular ways to get in your daily dose of collagen. Add 1-2 scoops of Vital Proteins collagen, or any other collagen powder you like, to your cup.
My Go-To Collagen Cappuccino
- 1 decaf Nespresso pod (on the large setting, this is the machine we have)
- 1/2 tsp manuka honey (this also has amazing anti-inflammatory and healing benefits)
- 1 scoop Collagen Peptides
- dash of cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, frothed (this is the frother we have)
Directions
- Scoop collagen, honey and cinnamon into a mug, I love this one that keeps my coffee hot for a long time.
- Turn on Nespresso machine and when coffee comes out, stir to combine.
- Meanwhile, froth almond milk and pour into espresso.
Matcha Latte
Mixing in a scoop of collagen into coffee is a great way to start your day, but if you’re not a coffee person, try a matcha latte. You can mix in one scoop to your normal matcha, or you can snag this collagen matcha, that’s basically an all in one.
I don’t drink caffeinated coffee anymore, but will occasionally have a matcha latte. Because of the amino acid L-Theanine in matcha, which helps to moderate the effects of caffeine and gives you calmer energy that doesn’t come with the caffeine crash you can get from coffee.
Try my recipe for matcha lattes and thank me later! I survived on these as an afternoon pick me up when Owen was a newborn.
Pancakes
This have been a staple in our home lately and it’s a great way for me to sneak in some gut-healing ingredients and extra protein for Owen and myself! I mix up my normal pancake batter, and then add a scoop or two of collagen peptides.
Protein Pancake Ingredients
- 1/2 cup AP flour
- 1/2 oat flour
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp flaxseeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1-2 scoops Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
- 1/2 salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup almond milk
Directions
- Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix. Add wet ingredients and whisk to combine.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a teaspoon of coconut oil.
- When hot, add a scoop of batter and cook until the top looks slightly dry and has bubbles that don’t close. Flip and cook for a few more minutes.
- Top with whatever you want!
Smoothies
Some days I actually don’t have coffee, but I always, always add two scoops of collagen to my smoothie. If you’re someone who swears you can taste a difference in your coffee (I absolutely cannot), try mixing in a scoop or two into your morning smoothie instead.
Green smoothies have become a non-negotiable part of my daily wellness habits and is something my body craves. It’s an easy way to add in some extra superfoods without sacrificing flavor.
Energy Bites
Moms, or anyone who’s on the go, I highly recommend you make this recipe to keep on hand in the freezer when you need some healthy energy in a hurry. I add collagen to these energy bites for extra protein.
You can try a different flavor of collagen too. I added chocolate berry flavored collagen peptides to these for a unique, and tasty flavor!
Bone Broth
Whenever I make soup, which is often in the winter, I love mixing in one bag of Bonafide Provisions bone broth or Kettle & Fire bone broth (this one is easier to find). It makes the soup taste so much richer and heartier. The first time I did this, I remember Rob saying “this is the BEST chicken soup you’ve ever made!” And really, it was.
You can also sip bone broth on its own. When I’m sick, or feel like I’m getting sick, I do this. I’ll mix in some ginger, turmeric or garlic and a pinch of salt. It’s delicious!
Do you take a collagen supplement? What collagen powder benefits have you noticed?
BTW, my hack for getting in more veggies everyday, and how to stay healthy while traveling.
