Collagen is everywhere these days. I get served adds for it constantly, which are wasted on me and avid user in the same way I get twenty Under Armour ads a day.
Collagen, in the form of gelatin, came into my life consistently about four years ago. Like most people do I was perusing Instagram and stumbled across Kate Grace chowing down on a jello cube and toting about how she regularly ate it to help with healing her Achilles and promoting tendons in general (side note: she's back doing it again).
I wasn't convinced this was a thing. So like any good skeptic, I gathered some research. After a not so deep dive into the internet, I learned that collagen is responsible for helping support tendons and ligaments. Collagen powders and gelatin are both made from collagen; bones, skin, hide, fish scales, and other animal products. The main difference between the two is that jello is the cooked version (similar to bone broth- liquid when hot, solidified when cooled), while the powders you see all over are the hydrolyzed version (processed at a chemical level and more easily absorbed in the body than the jello process). From my two years of anatomy, I knew that these body structures generally have a hard time repairing themselves due to a lack of blood flow so taking collagen to support them sounded like a good idea to me. Then I found this study discussing how collagen synthesis, when combined with vitamin c, is increased.
My first experience with collagen came in the form of a homemade jello concoction (unflavored gelatin, emergen-c with vitamin c). I'd make a big batch, stick it in the fridge and cut myself out bite-sized chunks before and after workouts. Needless to say, I don't think my roommates were huge fans of the baking tray filled with the gelatin taking up a shelf.
Lately, collagens crept back into my life in the powdered variety. It was recommended by my orthopedic and physical therapy to supplement my recovery. Compared to 2016 there are SO many more options on the market from powders to pre-made drinks and even drops. I tried a lot of them.
What I've learned is that when it comes to flavored ones, you know outside of vanilla and chocolate, it's hit or miss in my opinion. My favorite so far is the Vital Proteins Strawberry Lemon mixed with an Amazing Grass Green Superfood, effervescent hydrate strawberry lemonade.
I'm also a big fan of the creamer varieties as someone who drinks coffee basically every morning. My go-to is the Garden of Life grass-fed collagen creamer, unflavored. I hated, like really hated the Vital Proteins mocha creamer.
I've also found that just using the normal collagen powders in coffee, baking ,etc is just fine. I'm currently working my way through a tub of Vital Proteins Original Collagen Peptides, Unflavored as a staple in my morning espresso. I've switched to the plain kind partially because it just has more protein than the creamer variety, like substantially more, with lower calories which for me not doing a ton right now physically is important.
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