Collagen & collagen-boosting food
Collagen has been well studied for its medicinal properties in recent years, and it's an important protein that many of us don't actually get enough of. In addition to buying collagen supplements, you can also boost your body by eating a few servings of collagen-rich foods or collagen-boosting foods in your diet, every day! By doing this, you can help optimize collagen levels in your body, minimize joint pain, keep skin elastic and youthful, and much more.
How much collagen do you need?
Collagen is an important protein found throughout the body. Collagen is often called the body's glue, which holds the body together. The collagen is responsible for, among other things to give the skin its suppleness, to slow down certain signs of aging, to keep your joints mobile and healthy. As you get older, collagen production begins to decrease, which can cause symptoms such as joint pain, wrinkles and reduced cartilage in the joints. There are also a number of other factors that can cause collagen production to decrease, such as smoking, sun exposure and a poor diet.
Fortunately, there are many things that can contribute to increased collagen levels in the body. Using a collagen supplement is perhaps the most simple and effective way to kick collagen levels in the body to high levels! But consuming a variety of foods that contain collagen, or eating foods with collagen-boosting effects, is also another good option to increase levels of this vital beauty protein.
Many studies suggest that a collagen supplement, or an increase in foods that boost your collagen can help promote:
- Gastrointestinal health
- Optimal joint health
- A thick and shiny hair with less hair loss
- A skin with increased elasticity and fewer wrinkles
- Good bone health
- Stronger nails
- A reduction in cellulite
- Healthy teeth and healthy gums
What foods to eat to increase collagen?
Are you wondering how you can increase the collagen content in the body in a natural way? Add a couple of foods that contain both collagen and elastin (a type of protein found in connective tissue) to your daily diet. This can help increase collagen levels quickly and easily. Here are some of the best collagen-rich foods to add to your diet:
Broth made from bones
By boiling bones, tendons, ligaments and skin from animals for several days, a broth rich in collagen and other important amino acids is formed. A good option for those who have the time! Otherwise, a dietary supplement with collagen gives the same effect, the advantage is that you can then choose a collagen from fish, if you e.g. exclude beef, pork and chicken from your diet.
Spirulina
This type of algae is a plant-based source of amino acids such as glycine. Glycine is a key component of collagen. Spirulina can be bought everywhere and is a perfect addition to a smoothie, which you can also boost with a scoop of collagen.
Cod fish
Like most other types of white fish, codfish is full of amino acids, such as glycine and proline. The fish also contains other beneficial nutrients, such as selenium, vitamin B6 and phosphorus.
Egg
Eggs, and egg whites in particular, definitely belong to the "best collagen food" group, thanks to their content of amino acids that make up collagen, including glycine and proline. By using the whole egg, instead of just the whites, you get healthy fats and high-quality protein.
Gelatine
Gelatin is a type of protein derived from collagen , which is why it is considered one of the best collagen-rich foods available. Gelatin can be used in cooking and mixed into soups, stews or broths. Gelatin can also be used in baking.
Which supplements with collagen powder are the best?
Collagen powder with a CLEAN LABEL is the best to choose. There are collagen blends for different purposes and you can find our different collagen products here.
Which food boosts collagen formation in the body?
In addition to eating foods that contain collagen , you can also increase collagen production by including some collagen-producing foods in your diet. Here are some of the best collagen-rich foods that you can add to your daily routine to help the body in its own collagen production:
Green leafy vegetables
Packed with vitamin C, green vegetables like spinach and kale make some of the best foods for promoting collagen synthesis in the body. Not only does vitamin C act as an antioxidant to protect the body against free radicals, vitamin C is also required for the production of type I collagen (and all the other types of collagen), which is the most common form of collagen in the body, and in your skin.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are incredibly nutritious, earning them a spot as one of the best collagen-boosting foods. Pumpkin seeds also contain a lot of zinc, which is an important mineral needed for optimal collagen synthesis along with immune function, wound healing and cell growth.
Strawberries
In addition to being a super source of vitamin C, strawberries are also considered among the top collagen-building foods around, as strawberries contain ellagic acid, a type of antioxidant that has been shown to protect against collagen breakdown. Other berries such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are also rich in ellagic acid.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit, are very nutritious. These fruits contain high levels of vitamin C, an important water-soluble vitamin that plays a central role in collagen production. In addition, they contain high amounts of antioxidants, fiber and other micronutrients that help support overall health.
Garlic
Garlic is an herb that is at the top when it comes to collagen-boosting compounds, such as sulfur, which boosts collagen synthesis in the body.