A woman undertook a month-long experiment to assess the benefits of collagen supplementation, and here are her findings.
For anyone immersed in the world of health and fitness, the term collagen has likely appeared frequently, especially on the labels of various supplement powders. But what does collagen actually do?
The Cleveland Clinic describes collagen as the foundational building block of our skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues, constituting about 30 percent of the body’s protein.
The advantages go beyond mere health, too. A beauty expert from Boots notes that collagen promotes the growth and upkeep of healthy skin and nails, contributing to a more youthful and plump appearance.
Seems like an ideal supplement, doesn’t it?
Collagen is hugely popular these days – but is it worth it? (Getty Stock Images)
As with any supplement found in stores, skepticism is common regarding these ‘wonder vitamins’, prompting many consumers to scour the internet for reviews prior to making a purchase.
Fortunately, numerous content creators have shared their experiences with collagen, shedding light on its potential advantages and limitations.
One such creator is Keltie O’Connor, who recently showcased the outcomes of her 30-day collagen experiment on YouTube.
Here’s a summary of her findings:
What are the benefits of taking collagen for 30 days?
After 30 days of adding 5 to 15 grams of cocoa-flavored collagen powder to her daily water intake, Keltie reported minimal improvements in her hair, skin, and recovery times. She suggested that her lack of recovery result could be attributed to her intensified marathon training.
Keltie documented the experience and found that she didn’t see major benefits from the experiment (YouTube/Keltie O’Connor)
Keltie also mentioned that her digestion worsened during the 30 days; however, she attributed this to long-haul travel and jet lag rather than the collagen itself.
She also emphasized that her minimal results could be more related to her existing diet than to the supplement’s effectiveness.
“I believe the main reason I noticed no change is that my diet is already high in collagen,” she explained. “I consume steak, chicken, and a variety of other animal sources.”
“Consequently, I didn’t experience any significant benefits because I was adequately supplied with collagen already,” she continued.
Check out the video below for the complete details of her 30-day experiment:
Should I consider adding collagen to my diet?
Whether you will gain benefits from taking collagen depends on various factors, including your age, dietary habits, and overall lifestyle.
As Keltie observed in her video, collagen didn’t significantly impact her lifestyle, as she already consumes plenty of animal products. In contrast, individuals with lower protein intake may find more noticeable benefits from supplementation, although it’s worth noting that collagen cannot be vegan or vegetarian.
“For instance, if your protein sources are primarily protein bars or beans, you may not be getting sufficient collagen,” Keltie noted. “In such cases, supplementing could be beneficial.”
Age is also an essential consideration, as our collagen levels naturally diminish with age. This means that older adults are more likely to benefit from supplementation. In contrast, younger fitness enthusiasts should focus on maintaining a balanced diet to preserve their collagen levels.
To help maintain collagen levels, she recommended the following:
- Get adequate sleep
- Use sunscreen
- Stay active
- Maintain good nutrition
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
