This Is What Drinking Collagen Water Every Day Does To Your Body
Every so often a health trend comes around that makes you scratch your head a bit. When it's not a diet with a confusing name, it's a product that you're unfamiliar with. That's where collagen water comes in. You likely know what collagen and water are on their own, but do two healthy ingredients make one super health product? The answer is, well, kind of. There are positives and negatives to every product, but there are some things to know before you start chugging this beverage. And, yes, collagen does some surprising things to your body.
Typically, when people think of collagen, it's in a powder form. The powder is then mixed into a liquid like coffee. Vital Proteins is changing the game by combining the two into collagen water. Anyone that has ever supplemented collagen powder will tell you that the worst part is trying to get a smooth stir. Collagen often stays a little clumpy in the beverage, no matter which brand you're using. Vital Proteins is fixing that by mixing it for you.
According to Vital Proteins, the idea with collagen water is to hydrate while also getting an added health benefit, but there are still many things you need to know in order to reap the most health benefits — and understand what the drink is doing for your body.
Collagen water has serious beauty benefits
There are serious health benefits when it comes to collagen, but there are only so many things that collagen can and can't do when taking it. From skin and hair to bones and joints, collagen is beneficial throughout your entire body. "As we age, the amount of collagen we produce decreases, resulting in weak connective tissue, wrinkles, poor joint health, and drier and sagging skin," Dr. Melanie Palm, M.D., told Bustle. "If an individual is looking to increase their protein intake or promote healthy joints, collagen water could be a good option." So, technically, collagen water is, in fact, worth it.
According to WELL Insiders, collagen water has the same affects that collagen powder does, and is even more convenient, which is a definite win. The publication says that collagen water gives the same digestive and nail benefits that powder does, which makes a lot of sense considering the first ingredient in the Vital Protein's collagen water is collagen peptides, aka the brand's powdered collagen product.
The downside is that collagen water is an expensive habit. A single collagen water will run you a cool $4.50, and a 4-pack is $12. That means you may not be switching from regular water to only collagen water any time soon. Even one a day will cost you over $30 a week.
The drink also promotes immune health
As if getting stronger hair and longer nails wasn't enough, collagen packs a punch inside the body as well. Collagen is known to boost your immune system because of the amino acids found in the supplement. "Collagen is a complex protein and contains 19 different amino acids which include arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline," Nature's Island explains. "Glutamine is an amino-acid that is responsible for healthy and strong immune system."
The outlet also adds that collagen can boost your metabolism. That's important for maintaining a health body weight, according to Better Health. So, it's safe to say that this supplement is healthy on the inside and the out.
On top of that, there's also the added benefit of all the water that you'll be drinking along with the collagen. Drinking enough water is know to regulate everything from brain function and energy to keeping skin clear (via Healthline).
Collagen water can relieve joint pain
No one likes aches and pains, especially when it comes from joints. It can feel like nothing can solve the deep-rooted problem, but it turns out that collagen could be the secret to help relieve your joint pain. According to Healthline, taking collagen as a supplement could "help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce overall joint pain." So if you've started drinking collagen water every day and physically felt better, it's not all in your head.
That being said, collagen water — any collagen supplements for that matter — are not next-day fixes. Mind Body Green says that you'll have to take, or, in this case, drink, the supplement for about two months consistently to start feeling the results. That's the same for joint relief, hair and nail growth, and immune support.
Supplementing collagen is for everyone
When people hear that they need to add supplements to their routine, it's typically seen as them not being healthy enough. But it turns out that we're all in the same boat when it comes to losing collagen, so supplementing is literally for everyone.
"Our natural collagen production slows down from our early 20s by 1 to 1.5 percent every year and by the time you turn 50, most individuals will have lost about 50 percent of the collagen in your skin," skin expert Dr. Paul Banwell told Harper's Bazaar. "This can lead to sagging, thinning and wrinkles." Basically, collagen supplementing is not just a fad. It's as important as taking your daily vitamins.
In fact, collagen drinks don't just give you the collagen that you need. They actually help your body make it's own. "It is key to understand that collagen drinks do not add the collagen peptides you drink directly to the dermis, but rather the collagen peptides act as a feedback mechanism to trigger your own natural collagen production," Dr. Banwell continued.
Collagen water is an all-around win
All in all, you can't go wrong with supplement collagen through collagen water. Whether you're looking for the beauty benefits or looking to feel better from the inside out, collagen water is a great option for you, not to mention how easy it is. Instead of mixing anything together, all you need to do is grab a bottle and start drinking.
Of course, there is the downfall of price. If you have the $3+ a bottle to afford the supplement, then go for it. If not, it might be time to look for a more affordable options for the collagen. Either way, collagen is the way to go!