Liquid Collagen is a supplement containing collagen proteins suspended within a liquid such as purified drinking water. The majority of research has not focused on liquid collagen.
This article describes what liquid collagen is, the types available, the benefits and risks of supplementing with collagen, and dietary collagen sources.
What is liquid Collagen?
Collagen is one of the proteins that give structure to tissues like skin, bones and tendons. It also gives structure organs, muscles, blood vessels, teeth and ligaments. Collagen makes up 33% of total body protein.
Scientists have identified 28 types of collagen in the human tissues. Type I collagen, which comprises over 90% of the collagen in our body, is the most abundant. Types I, II, III of collagen are found in the skin, giving it its strength and flexibility.
Some people use collagen as a supplement. One way to do this is by drinking liquid collagen. These products are made from collagen proteins which have been hydrolyzed or broken into smaller blocks. These smaller blocks or peptides are easier to absorb by the body.
Some liquid collagen supplements contain juices, others purified water. Many companies sell liquid collagen in uk as pre-made drinks in the form individual shots, smoothies or vials.
Types liquid collagen
Liquid collagen can be derived from different sources. Before buying a collagen supplement, it is important to understand the differences.
Collagen from beef tissues is the most commonly used source in collagen supplements due to the ease with which the body absorbs bovine collagen. Pig collagen is easy to absorb because it is similar in structure to human collagen. Other products may also contain collagen.
- Sheep
- Skins of chicken, duck or rabbit
- Fish or marine invertebrates
According to a review from 2020, marine collagen has become a popular type in the cosmetics industry. It is less inflammatory than animal sources, and less likely to have contaminants.
What are the benefits to taking liquid collagen?
Liquid collagen is not the subject of any research. According to a review from 2020, supplementing with collagen in general can:
- Slow down the formation of wrinkles and lines
- Improve skin’s ability absorb and retain moisture
- reduce skin pigmentation or darkening
- Improve skin firmness and elasticity
- Encourage skin cell regeneration
- Improve skin texture
- Improve skin thickness and density
- Improve wound healing time
- Reduce cellulite, skin waviness and cellulite
- Improve joint and bone health
- Improve nail growth and strength
Participants in a placebo-controlled study conducted in 2018 who consumed a liquid supplement that contained hydrolyzed salmon collagen every day for 90 days saw improvements to skin structure, elasticity and hydration.
Participants who took the liquid collagen supplement reported a reduction of 43% in joint pain, and an improvement of 39% in joint mobility. The supplement contained other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It is unclear whether the collagen was the cause of the improvements.
In a 2017 small study, 25 women who took 2,5 grams of bioactive collagen peptides every day for 24 week experienced:
- Nail growth increases by 12%
- Nail breakage decreases by 42%
- Improvement in nail brittleness four weeks after treatment
- Improvement in nail appearance four weeks after treatment
Researchers in a study from 2020 concluded that taking 2,5 g of bioactive collagen peptides every day for 16 weeks resulted in an increase of 31% hair cell growth and a significant increase in hair thickness. These tests were conducted with specific peptides and not products that people can buy in stores.
Early research suggests that liquid collagen supplements are effective for hair, nails, and skin. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
Side effects
Most people tolerate collagen supplements very well. It is important to consult a doctor before taking any new supplements to ensure that they are safe.
Some people can have an allergic reaction when taking collagen supplements. If someone is allergic to shellfish and they consume marine collagen, it could cause a severe reaction or anaphylaxis.
If you experience any new symptoms, stop taking the collagen supplement and consult your doctor.
Risks
There are other risks associated with taking liquid collagen, besides allergic reactions.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, regulates dietary supplement products as food rather than medicines. The FDA does not require supplement companies to prove the safety and effectiveness of collagen supplements.
This can at best mean that certain products do not work. There have been instances where collagen powder was sold from unreliable sources and contaminated with toxic substances like cadmium and mercury.
Other companies have combined prescription drugs with beauty supplements to achieve the desired result. This is dangerous.
Some supplements list their ingredients incorrectly, meaning that people who are avoiding certain animal products due to ethical, dietary or religious reasons may end up taking something they don’t want.
Liquid collagen supplements may also contain herbs, vitamins, or minerals. Some of these may be harmless in moderate doses, but others may interact with medications or underlying conditions. Iron, for example, can be toxic at high doses.
You can avoid these dangers by buying only collagen supplements that are tested by a third-party to ensure their purity and safety. A doctor can tell someone if a supplement’s ingredients are suitable for them.
Collagen from other sources
Collagen is found in animal products, which people don’t eat. These include animal skin, cartilage and scales. Several foods contain lower amounts of collagen. Some of these include:
- Pork, beef, and chicken
- eggs
- Dairy products
- Bone broths and bone products
Collagen is also found in some marine animals and plants, including:
- algae
- Seaweed
- Codified
- Salmon
- jellyfish
- Octopuses
- Urchins
- Mussels and oysters
Vitamin C is also necessary for the body to synthesize a collagen. Vitamin C can be obtained by eating foods like:
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Bell peppers
- Kiwi
You can read more about it here:
It is a liquid collagen supplement which may help improve the health of your skin, nails, and hair. It is made up of collagen peptides that are suspended in liquid.
Before choosing a collagen product, it is important to know the type of collagen and its source. It is also important to select brands who test their products by a third-party to ensure purity and quality. Discuss any new supplements you are considering with your doctor.
