Collagen is hot these days, showing up in Instagram feeds & health food stores, with promises to help us look better and feel better. But not all collagen products are created equally, so we’re Getting the Skinny with Molly on top picks and worst bets for collagen to add to your diet!
COLLAGEN: WHAT IT IS
- Key component of our skin, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, bones and teeth. In the foods we eat, it’s in the skin, tendons, connective tissue of meat, fish and poultry – parts often discarded in the US.
- Collagen powder – referred to as hydrolyzed collagen, collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides –dissolves easily, typically unflavored, easy to mix into coffee, smoothies + food and drink recipes.
BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN | aim to incorporate 5 to 10 grams of collagen daily
- Joint health. Boost the health of ligaments and tendons
- Healthy hair, skin, and nails.Helps reduce collagen breakdown => better skin elasticity and hydration.
- GI health. Can help protect lining of the GI tract, improving nutrient absorption and digestion.
- More fullness, improved weight management.
LOVE IT: Pure collagen | Unflavored | Versatile
Vital Proteins | Bovine or Marine Collagen Peptides
- Per 2 scoops: 70 calories, 20 grams collagen, 0 carbs, 0 sugar
- $23.99 for (14) 20-gram servings | $23.99 for 28 ten-gram servings
Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate | Bovine Collagen
- Per 2 tablespoons: 43 calories, 12 grams collagen, 0 carbs, 0 sugar
- $21.99 for (38) 12-gram servings | $21.99 for 45 ten-gram servings
365 Whole Foods Verisol® Bioactive Collagen Peptides | Bovine Collagen
- Per 1 scoop: 10 calories, 2.5 grams collagen peptides, 0 carbs, 0 sugar
- $15.99 for (45) 2.5 gram servings | $15.99 for 11 ten-gram servings
LonoLife Collagen Peptides | Grass Fed Beef
- Per 2 scoops: 70 calories, 20 grams collagen, 0 carbs, 0 sugar
- $18.95 for (11) 20-gram servings | $18.95 for (22) ten-gram servings
Also by LonoLife: Protein Coffee in Tub, K Cups + Stick Packs
- Per 1 serving: 45 calories, 10 grams collagen, 2 grams carbs, 0 sugar
- $18.95 for (15) ten-gram servings
LIKE IT: Low Potency and/or Added sugars
NEOCELL Collagen + C Liquid
- Per 1 tablespoon: 25 calories, 4 grams collagen, 3 grams carbs, 2 grams sugar
- $29.99 for (32) 4-gram servings | $29.99 for (13) ten-gram servings
Collagen Capsules | e.g. Alpha Vitamins
- Per 3-capsule serving: 1 gram collagen
- $10.99 for 120 capsules | $10.99 for (12) ten-gram servings
HATE IT: Very Low Potency and/or More Added Sugar than Collagen
Collagen Drink Packs | e.g. Natural Systems
- Per packet: 7 calories, 1.5 gram collagen, <1 gram carb, <1 gram sugar
- $15.99 for 15 packets | $15.99 for (2.2) ten-gram servings
NEOCELL Beauty Bursts Collagen Soft Chews
- Per 2 soft chews: 40 calories, 2 grams collagen, 6 grams carbs, 4 grams sugar
- $19.99 for (30) two-gram servings | $19.99 for (6) ten-gram servings
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