Is collagen drink effective?

Ever since collagen began popping up in the world of health and beauty, people cannot stop talking about it. There are plenty of debates surrounding the effectiveness of collagen as a form of anti-aging.

When collagen was first introduced as a beauty product, plenty of companies were selling it as a topical cream. Recent studies have shown that collagen for topical use actually doesn't provide that many benefits since collagen molecules are too big to be absorbed directly through the top layer of our skin.

Collagen as an oral supplement, however, is an entirely different story. Some people are just as skeptical about oral collagen supplements as they were with collagen topicals. But maybe by the end of this article, we'll have you convinced otherwise.

Before we figure out once and for all if collagen supplements (collagen drinks in particular) are effective or are just another instance of "too good to be true", let's discuss a little bit about collagen in general, what it is, and what makes it so important.

What is collagen anyway?

There are tons of different types of protein in our body, but collagen is by far the most abundant and probably the most important protein for those concerned with hair, skin, nail, and joint health.

About one-fourth of our body's protein content is made up of collagen and it's responsible for holding our bones, skin, ligaments, joints, muscles, and other connective tissues together.

You're probably thinking, "why all the fuss about collagen supplements if we already have collagen in our bodies"?

Well, that is because by the time we turn 20 years old, our natural collagen levels begin to decrease by 1% each year thereafter. And if we want to stay healthy and looking young, we need collagen supplements to help boost our collagen levels.

Fun fact: the name collagen came from the Greek word "kĂłlla" which means glue because collagen acts as the glue that holds our body's structure together.

All proteins are made up of amino acids. We have 20 different amino acids and depending on the sequence each amino acid makes, it creates a protein with a different function altogether.

Collagen in particular is made up of three amino acids called proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine. These three amino acids are like strings that wind around each other to form an alpha-helix.

Because collagen plays a big role in holding together the structure of our bodies, the bond of these three amino acids is tightly woven. This makes collagen, in its native full-length form, indigestible.

If collagen is indigestible, do collagen supplements even work? Yes, they do!

But first, collagen has to undergo the process of hydrolysis to become bioactive—the scientific term for being able to affect a living thing, such as a person —hence making collagen digestible.

What are collagen peptides?

Once collagen has undergone the process of hydrolysis, it is now considered hydrolyzed collagen, otherwise known as collagen peptides. The process of hydrolysis is what breaks down the molecules of collagen, loosening the bonds of its molecules, allowing collagen peptides to be safely extracted.

They are shorter chains of amino acids derived from collagen. This chain still has proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine, which allow collagen to function the way it does. But because collagen peptides are much smaller, they are more easily digested and bioactive than native full-length chains of collagen.

Collagen peptides are what you'll find being sold in your typical collagen supplements. They are either sold in their powdered form, put into capsules, gummies, or—in this case—mixed into collagen drinks.

Are collagen drinks effective, or is it too good to be true?

A lot of people question whether collagen drink is effective before actually taking a chance on this form of supplement. But you'll be glad to know that collagen supplements are effective in just about any form! Provided you're taking a quality, hydrolyzed collagen supplement orally, there are plenty of benefits!

The only difference that certain forms of collagen supplements have is the amount (in grams) of collagen peptides that can be found in the supplement. Of course, you'll want one that gives you the most collagen. Who doesn't want the most bang for their buck?

But in the end, it's also up to you to decide how you want to ingest it.

Collagen drinks often have higher amounts of hydrolyzed collagen in them, are easier to consume, and can be incredibly tasty too. It's a quick and easy way to get your collagen fix even when you're on the go. Plus - many of these are packed full of electrolytes and other essential vitamins and minerals! Let's take a look.

The benefits of collagen drinks

After everything we've discussed about collagen and hydrolyzed collagen, it's time we talk about the part you've been most curious about - the benefits you'll unlock through supplementation.

Here are some of the scientifically proven health benefits you can gain from taking collagen supplements, particularly collagen drinks:

Enhance skin elasticity

Collagen is one of the main components of our skin. Over the years, as our natural collagen production depletes we start developing more wrinkles and our skin starts to lose its moisture1.

But it isn't completely hopeless. Studies have confirmed that taking collagen supplements helps in reducing wrinkles and hydrating our skin2  

Take this placebo-controlled study, for example. In 2013 a group of women took 2.5 to 5 grams of collagen supplements for 8 weeks. They showed a significant increase in skin elasticity and hydration compared to women who didn't take the collagen supplements3.

A similar study was conducted in 2015 on another group of women who consumed collagen drinks for 12 weeks straight. They also showed fewer wrinkles and more hydration compared to women that didn't4.

Taking collagen supplements not only helps repair damaged skin. It even boosts the natural collagen production in our bodies as well as the production of elastin and fibrillin that is also responsible for our skin's health.

Improve hair and nail health

Collagen is a rich source of antioxidants that are essential to protecting the hair follicles on your scalp. These antioxidants combat the free radicals on your scalp which helps slow down the rate of hair loss5. It even helps avoid the premature graying of your hair6.

As for your nails, a study in 2017 conducted on 25 participants who took 2.5 grams of collagen every day for 24 weeks straight showed a significant improvement in nail strength. It not only decreased the frequency of broken nails by 42%, but the nail growth rate also increased by 12%7.

Reduce joint and bone disorders

Studies have shown that consuming collagen supplements not only relieved joint pain but helped increase bone density as well8. Taking collagen supplements is not only proven to relieve joint pain and inflammation, it also shows potential for improving the overall symptoms of osteoarthritis.

In 2008, a study was conducted on 73 athletes experiencing joint pain after training. They were asked to take 10 grams of collagen for 24 weeks.

The results showed that the amount of joint pain and inflammation had decreased in athletes who consumed the collagen supplements. They also performed better than the athletes who didn't take the collagen supplements9.

Researchers also found that the ideal amount of collagen to get rid of joint pain was between 8 to 12 grams.

Further studies in 2018 examined another group of women who took 5 grams of collagen every day for a year. The results found that they had a 7% increase in their bone density as compared to women that didn't take collagen supplements 10.

Increase muscle growth

Did you know that 1% to 10% of the protein responsible for repairing muscle is actually collagen? 11.

No wonder plenty of people use collagen for gym supplements and protein shakes. It's because of its ability to help build and repair more muscle.

One study even found that taking collagen has helped people with sarcopenia boost their lean muscle mass12.

A similar study was conducted on skinny men who had less muscle mass than average. They were told to take 15 grams of collagen in tandem with an exercise regimen. This pairing was found to contribute to a significant increase in muscle mass than those who didn't take collagen13.

Faster wound healing

Aside from helping enhance our skin's elasticity, increase hydration, and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen is also used to help wounds and scars heal faster. There is a new technique in the medical world being used to treat burn victims.

In countries such as Brazil, they found that using fish skin, particularly tilapia fish, as a skin graft for burn victims is actually a great option for helping them heal their wounds faster 14.

There are three main types of collagen, and it's not only found in humans but in animals such as cows, pigs, and fish too. Fish collagen has a really high content of Type 1 collagen which is responsible for building and repairing our skin tissue.

Doctors discovered that due to the high amounts of Type 1 collagen production in fish skin, it helps wounds as severe as third-degree burns heal much faster than the usual human skin graft would 15.

Final Verdict - Is Collagen Drink An Effective Supplement?

So do collagen drinks work? Yes!

They certainly provide way more effective benefits than collagen topicals.

But not all brands of collagen supplements are the same. You need to choose a brand that is trustworthy and transparent with their ingredients so you're sure you're choosing a brand that sells effective collagen drinks and not just some company selling false collagen supplements to try and milk money off the collagen craze.

Obvi - Collagen Supplements You Can Trust!

Obvi is a collagen supplement brand that is transparent, trustworthy, and effective — that's why we're the#1 collagen brand online!

We're not afraid to show our customers what our collagen drinks are made of because we only use the highest quality ingredients there are.

Our collagen drinks are our newest collection and come in two deliciously refreshing flavors—Blue Slushie and Limeade!

Obvi's H2Obvi has three key ingredients: 8 grams of collagen, electrolytes, and hyaluronic acid. What makes these three ingredients so special?

8 Grams Of Collagen

Each bottle of H2Obvi comes with 7 grams of protein and 8 grams of collagen! 8G is an important number because researchers have found that this is the ideal amount of collagen to gain all the benefits of collagen that we mentioned earlier.

Fortified With Electrolytes

We need electrolytes for several reasons. The first reason is to balance the number of fluids in our bodies, keeping us hydrated throughout the day. The second is to ensure that our body is capable of doing what it needs to do, contracting the muscles in our heart, keeping us alive. And third, it allows our nerves to continue transmitting signals throughout our body so our bodies don't stop functioning properly.

Hyaluronic Acid For The Ultimate Hydration Formulation

Hyaluronic acid, like collagen, helps increase the moisture in our skin, helping retain that youthful and radiant glow, while reducing the number of wrinkles and fine lines on our face. It also helps with building new cells and helping wounds and scars heal faster.

These three ingredients make up our Obvi Collagen Blend. It's meant to keep you feeling hydrated, refreshed, and awake as you go about your day! All the while helping you improve your skin, hair, nails, joints, and overall health.

Did we mention one bottle only has 32 calories? Look your best and stay hydrated all day long with H2Obvi!

Looking for other types of supplements? Chances are, we have something for you - including collagen protein powder, super collagen, and even collagen meal replacement bars! Shop now and experience the Obvi difference.