How does collagen drinks help your joints and bones?

As a person ages, their joints start to break down. The spongy cartilage of the joints starts to wear away. The collagen in their joints begins to wear and tear. But what actually is collagen?  'Collagen itself is a particular protein which contains many important amino acids: the building blocks that keep tissues and bones together,' explains Amanda Griggs, nutritionist at Urban Retreat's Khera-Griggs Cleanse Clinic. 'It helps give your skin strength and elasticity, as well as stimulating production of hyaluronic acid.' How does this help your joints and bones?

There are many different types of collagen found throughout the body, from your bones and muscles to your hair and skin. Research shows that certain forms are responsible for the structure and elasticity in our skin, but after the age of 25, we tend to lose approximately 1.5% of our natural stores every year. 'Many factors can speed up the decrease of collagen production, including ageing, smoking, excess sugar, UV rays, excess alcohol consumption and eating denatured processed food,' says Griggs. The long-term result? Back, hip and joint pain.

There is some evidence to suggest that collagen supplements and drinks can help with restoring and preventing the deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. However, collagen drinks can help more than supplements, as its easier to absorb liquids than it is to absorb powered supplements into the bloodstream. Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, made up of amino acids, or peptides. It literally glues our bones, cartilage, skin, and blood vessels together. It’s what makes our tissues grow, mature, and move. Its presence under your skin can keep it from sagging over time.

Your body works hard to digest protein from sources like chicken or beef, and some people may find that they deal with digestive symptoms like burping or stomach pain after a meal. But collagen drinks are hydrolyzed, meaning the collagen is broken down, a process that makes it easier for your body to digest. Collagen drinks may potentially be a more comfortable way to get protein into your diet. The process of hydrolyzing also allows collagen peptides to dissolve in water, which makes it relatively simple to use them in everyday foods (like water or smoothies).

Collagen holds your body together, between your joints and bones, its one of the most necessary parts in the human body. It makes up about one-third of the protein in your body, research shows. Your body produces less collagen starting in your thirties and forties. Collagen peptides added to your diet may serve to replace what your body begins to lack as you age, and support your overall health.

Joint pain can make it difficult to exercise, move, or perform your day to day goals. You can start taking collagen at any age. Taking a collagen supplement may help you get back on track with your day to day activities. “There is some evidence that collagen can be great for supporting connective tissues and improving joint pain after exercise,” says Angelone. “For instance, one study published in January 2017 in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that athletes with knee pain who took 5 g of collagen peptides daily for 12 weeks had less joint pain during exercise compared with a placebo group.” Taken from Explore Health written in 2019.

Oral collagen can support cartilage repair and may also have an anti-inflammatory effect. If you have any kind of joint discomfort or pains, it could be a good time to start adding collagen in your day to day routine. Always eat a well balanced diet, exercise regularly, and take your supplements. You can start with Sipnutri, one drink at a time!