At a recent event in New York City, the latest buzz between beauty, fashion, and fitness bloggers was one word: collagen.

What is collagen? It’s a protein in our bodies, specifically found in our muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system, and tendons. Collagen is what give our skin its natural elasticity so that when you pinch it, it springs back. Basically it’s our body’s really fancy Elmer’s glue, holding together our joints and tendons and fighting the aging process.

Lately, muscle heads and yoga moms are adding collagen powder to smoothies and slurping it down by the straw-full, touting collagen as the next miracle supplement. So what’s all the hype? See for yourself.

Collagen Benefits

There’s no doubt our body needs collagen—your bones and skin rely on it! But is it necessary to take a supplement? Here are some of the benefits that collagen can offer:

• Give you radiant skin and hair. Aging happens to us all. As the years go by, the skin starts to sag and wrinkle, leaving you wishing for those carefree teen days. Individuals who take a collagen powder supplement claim to have healthier skin and hair, and even less wrinkles and stretch marks. Try this collagen serum for clear skin and fewer wrinkles.
• A natural energy boost. Collagen smoothies help you bulk up your lean muscles, therefore helping you burn calories faster, and have an overall energy power boost.
• Is an excellent detox. When you’re feeling a bit bloated or stuffed up, try upping your collagen. It has powerful digestive benefits including flushing toxins, healing damaged cells, and decreases painful inflammation.

Image courtesy of Unsplash.com

It’s Going To Sound a Little Gross

So if you’re sold on giving collagen a try, the easiest way to get more of it in your diet is in powder form. But beware, it’s going to sound a little gross.

You can find all types of collagen powders ranging from organic to Bulletproof. A scoopful of powder can be added to your favorite beverage, smoothie, muffins, pancakes, or banana bread.

But before you consume in ignorant bliss, you first need to know what collagen powder is and where it comes from. Hydrolyzed gelatin (a.k.a. collagen) is made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals like cows, chickens, pigs, and fish.

Yep, you are eating and drinking ground up animal bones. But rest assured, collagen hydrolysate goes through an intensive process that breaks up the proteins into minuscule pieces that are then ground into a tasteless powder.

One quick Internet search will yield you plenty of collagen powders including Bovine Collagen, Chicken Collagen, and Fish Collagen. Yummy, yum.

Bottoms up brave souls!

Sources: “All About Gelatin and Collagen,” Paleo Leap.; “What is Collagen? 7 Ways Collagen Can Boost Your Health,” Dr. Axe.; U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “Collagen supplement search,” FDA.gov.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please seek the advice of your doctor before taking any supplement, collagen included.