Does Plant-Based Collagen Really Work? What You Should Know
If you visit your local health foods store or pharmacy, you’ll see shelves lined with collagen supplements. Unfortunately, most of them aren’t vegan. This is because pure collagen comes from animal tissues and joints, making it unsuitable for vegans.
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Lately, plant-based collagen supplements have become all the rage. Instead of pure collagen, these supplements are made with natural vitamins, minerals, and plant-based proteins designed to increase your body’s natural collagen production.
Of course, this begs the question, “Does plant-based collagen really work?”
Below, I’ll explain what it’s all about and show you some of the top research-backed ways that vegan collagen can improve your health!
Plant-Based Collagen: Is It A Fad or Does It Really Work?
The cosmetic and beauty industries are full of half-baked claims. Multi-national beauty brands spend millions of dollars trying to advertise the latest anti-aging products. Collagen supplements are one of the most recent “fads” on the market.
Interestingly, there’s very limited evidence that pure collagen actually works.
A few isolated studies have shown that collagen supplements may improve skin hydration and improve joint health. Other than that, though, there’s limited evidence to support the “miraculous” anti-aging claims behind collagen.
Plant-based collagen supplements are different, though.
They don’t include any real collagen at all. Instead, they operate under a different pretense:
Plant-based collagen boosters help your body produce more of its own collagen.
If you think about it, this actually makes more sense than supplementing with pure collagen. You're creating a longer-term solution by improving your body’s ability to synthesize collagen.
These all-natural, plant-based collagen supplements allow your body to fix itself rather than relying on outside collagen from dead animals.
What Are Plant-Based Collagen Supplements Made Of?
At this point, you’re probably wondering what these supplements are actually made of since they don’t contain real collagen.
Here are some of the key ingredients you’ll find in high-quality plant-based collagen boosters:
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Biotin
Plant-based minerals and trace minerals
Plant-based protein
All of these compounds are the key “ingredients” that your body needs to synthesize collagen for itself.
Many supplements use pure isolated vitamins and minerals, while some more natural plant-based collagen boosters are made with herbal and fruit extracts that are naturally high in vitamins and minerals.
How A Plant-Based Collagen Booster Can Improve Your Health
Non-vegans get many of these essential minerals and proteins from meat. Plant-based eaters, on the other hand, often have a hard time getting all of the minerals and protein they need to stay healthy.
A plant-based collagen supplement provides vegans with these essential “building blocks” needed to stimulate and maintain healthy collagen levels in the body.
Many of the natural plant-based ingredients in these supplements are good for more than just collagen production as well. Healthy vitamin and mineral supplementation can help your body fight disease, keep your organs functioning smoothly, and even contribute to your mental well-being!
Here are some other ways that plant-based collagen boosters can improve your health.
Healthier Skin, Hair, and Nails
One of the primary reasons people supplement with collagen or use plant-based collagen alternatives is to improve their hair, skin, and nails.
Collagen is an important protein found within your skin. High collagen levels are associated with tighter, healthier, and more elastic skin. This, of course, correlates with fewer wrinkles and less saggy skin.
It doesn’t just stop there, though. Collagen also plays a role in the growth of healthy hair and nails. Your hair and nails are mostly made up of a protein called keratin.
Collagen can improve the health of your hair follicles and nail base, which can lead to a higher concentration of keratin in your nails and hair. The more keratin your hair and nails contain, the stronger and healthier they’ll be.
Healthy, Strong Joints
Collagen isn’t just important for your hair, skin, and nails. It’s found throughout your joints, ligaments, and other connective tissues. In fact, the cartilage between our joints is mostly made up of collagen.
As our bodies age and produce less collagen, our cartilage naturally becomes weaker, leading to more bone-on-bone friction. This, of course, can cause inflammation and pain. When untreated, it can even lead to arthritis.
Conclusion - Who Could Benefit From Plant-Based Collagen?
Plant-based eaters who want to see stronger hair and nails, tighter skin, and improve their overall joint health can all benefit from a plant-based collagen supplement! Collagen production naturally decreases in our mid to late-twenties, so it’s a good idea to start sooner rather than later.
