7 Surprising Benefits Of Collagen Powder
Collagen powder has become popular in recent years because of its many benefits, including improving skin health, hair strength and nails, as well as helping to heal tendonitis and joint pain. However, if you’re wondering when it’s best to drink collagen powder, you might be surprised by the answer! Read on to learn more about the surprising benefits of collagen powder and how it can benefit your overall health. You may never look at collagen powder the same way again!
1) Beauty
Good skin has always been a prized trait. Studies show that it makes us look younger, healthier and more attractive to others. Collagen powder is a nutritional supplement that you can take to support your body’s natural production of collagen – a protein that helps keep your skin smooth and healthy. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen which means wrinkles start to form, making us look older than we are. The best time to drink collagen powder is any time you want to promote youthful-looking skin. Here are 7 benefits from drinking collagen powder daily
2) Athletic Performance
When it comes to building lean muscle, few supplements are more popular than collagen powder. The best time to drink collagen powder is before or after workouts, when you need protein most. Getting your protein from food can be challenging when on a strict diet—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Check out our tips for adding collagen-rich foods into your meal plan and get leaner in no time.
3) Digestive Health
Our gut serves many functions, but digestion is arguably its most important role. As food passes through our digestive tract, enzymes break down nutrients into smaller components that are absorbed by our cells to make energy. One nutrient that has been linked to healthy digestion is collagen. It’s one of 20 types of protein found in animal connective tissue—basically skin and bones—and also in fish skin, eggs, meat, and dairy products.
4) Joint Pain
One study from 1995 found that patients with chronic knee pain experienced a reduction in symptoms when taking six grams of collagen hydrolysate daily for three months. You can add collagen powder to smoothies or coffee or use it straight up on its own. Just be sure to read your labels and look for grass-fed varieties if you’re going for true purity.
5) Gut Microbiome
Gelatin contains hydroxyproline, an amino acid that is crucial for synthesizing collagen. Hydroxyproline also helps maintain gut health by fighting inflammation and strengthening intestinal tissue. Given that gelatin is used to support gut-health, it’s no surprise that it can provide relief for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. If you suffer from IBD, consuming 3 grams of gelatin daily could help alleviate inflammation and improve symptoms.
6) Hydration
Drinking collagen powder is not only good for your joints, but also hydrates your skin. Have you ever noticed that after drinking a lot of water, your skin glows? This is because hydration helps us look younger. Soak in some Vitamin C: Drinking collagen powder with freshly squeezed orange juice or grapefruit juice will give you an extra boost of vitamin C to help fight wrinkles and fine lines.
7) Sleep Quality
Getting enough sleep helps your body repair and heal itself. No surprise, then, that getting seven to nine hours of shuteye can reduce inflammation, which has been shown to negatively impact your long-term health. Several studies have also found a link between chronic inflammation and fat storage around your midsection. As if you needed another reason to hit snooze!
Conclusion
Collagen powder is fast becoming one of my favorite supplements. It’s cheap, it’s packed with essential amino acids and minerals, and you can mix it into pretty much anything to create a healthy meal replacement. I highly recommend adding it to your daily routine! Be sure to use your collagen responsibly, though; if you have certain medical conditions or are pregnant/breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking it.