Collagen is one of the most common proteins in the body, which is necessary for the growth and repair of skin and bones. As we age, our body produces less collagen, so we may need to replace it to prevent various health problems. However, side effects of consuming collagen may occur, but they are not serious, such as diarrhea, indigestion, rashes, headaches, and dizziness.

What is collagen?

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body, making it a component of skin, bones, muscles, joints, tendons, hair, and nails. It has the following functions:

• Repair worn out cells
• Promotes strong bones, nails, muscles and joints.
• Maintain skin elasticity, firmness and smoothness.
• Increases adhesion between hair and scalp
• Enhances blood vessel flexibility

Why do you need to eat collagen?

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to various health problems. Consuming collagen in supplement form may have the following benefits for the body :

Slows down skin aging. 

Collagen is the main component of the skin, accounting for 3/4 of all components. When collagen decreases, it causes wrinkles on the face and sagging skin. However, consuming collagen as a replacement may help increase collagen in the skin layer, making the skin firm and elastic.

Relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis 

When collagen decreases, it affects joint health or increases the risk of osteoarthritis. Eating collagen will help increase collagen in the joints and may help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms.

Restore Muscle Mass 

Our bodies tend to lose muscle mass and strength as we age, and since collagen has muscle-building properties, consuming collagen may help increase muscle mass and strength.

Prevents atherosclerosis. 

When collagen in the body decreases, blood vessels lose their elasticity or develop atherosclerosis. However, eating collagen as a replacement may help blood vessels become elastic again and reduce the chance of atherosclerosis, which is a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease.

Prevent bone loss. 

Consuming collagen as a replacement may help strengthen bone mass, reduce the risk of brittle bones, easy fractures, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis .

A study on the effectiveness of collagen on atherosclerosis in healthy people was published in the Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis in 2017. Researchers had 32 volunteers consume 16 grams of collagen tripeptide, or collagen with the smallest particle size, daily for 6 months. After the study ended, changes in blood vessels were measured through various indicators. http://ufabet999.app The results showed that consuming collagen tripeptide may help prevent atherosclerosis.

In addition, in another study, studying the relationship between collagen consumption and bone mineral density and signs of bone disease in postmenopausal women, published in the journal Nutrients in 2018, researchers divided 131 postmenopausal women into 2 groups. The first group took 5 grams of collagen every day. The other group took a placebo every day for 12 months. At the end of the trial, the results showed that the group taking collagen had increased bone mineral density in the waist and femur area compared to the group taking the placebo.

Therefore, it can be concluded that consuming collagen may help build bone mass and help prevent bone diseases.