The Best Collagen Drink: Shopping Guide and Recommendations (01/23)

It should be noted that the ingredients can differ depending on the product. Vegan collagen drinks, for example, differ from conventional collagen drinks due to their purely non-animal composition. Basically, however, these four ingredients are the main components of collagen drinks.

Wrinkles can be reduced

In principle, there are only a few scientific studies that deal with the exact effect of collagen, but it has already been found that collagen has a positive effect on the skin and can even reduce wrinkles.

In one study, women aged 45-65 took 2.5 grams of a specific collagen product once a day for eight weeks. After the eight weeks, it could be proven that the oral intake of collagen actually led to a reduction in the women’s skin wrinkles. (2)

Another study with women aged 35-55, who also took 2.5 grams or in some cases even 5.0 grams of a collagen preparation for 8 weeks, came to the conclusion that skin wrinkles were visibly reduced and skin elasticity improved significantly. (3)

Skin hydration can be improved

The hyaluronic acid usually contained in collagen drinks has been shown to improve skin hydration. Especially for dry skin, taking hyaluronic acid helps to moisturise your skin.

A clinical study was able to prove that the intake of hyaluron or hyaluronic acid could very well increase the degree of skin moisture and thus improve the treatment result of people with very dry skin. (4)

Collagen supports bones and joints

A very common and well-known joint disease is osteoarthritis. Due to a chronic change in the joint, a mostly very painful degradation of the cartilage is caused, which is associated with functional limitations.

A clinical study with pain patients with problems in the arm, hip or knee was able to show that collagen can indeed contribute to the relief of chronic joint pain such as osteoarthritis. (5)

However, it should be noted that collagen drinks are not a substitute for painkillers, so you should talk to your doctor before taking collagen drinks, especially if you have chronic pain.

Furthermore, scientific studies have shown that collagen contributes to healthy bones. It can also help with osteoporosis, i.e. loss of bone density, because the bones can be strengthened through the intake of collagen. (9, 10) Even though research on collagen is ongoing, the extent to which collagen drinks and their ingredients and dosage help to cure osteoporosis is not yet known.

Large pores can be refined

A current clinical study from 2020 has shown that collagen drinks can, under certain circumstances, refine skin that is prone to large pores and impurities. According to the study, impurities such as blackheads and pimples can be reduced by collagen drinks.

For this purpose, the participants took a 50ml collagen drink made from fish collagen every day for 8 weeks. The first visible results could already be seen after 4 weeks. Overall, 68% of the participants felt one or more improvements in their skin, including enlarged pores becoming smaller again.

For example, if you have a gluten intolerance, you should never consume products that are not gluten-free. The same applies to lactose intolerance and of course any other allergy or intolerance that you know about or are affected by. It’s best to discuss your intake with your doctor beforehand if you are affected by allergies.

In general, collagen drinks in ampoule form are much more expensive than collagen powder, but the ampoules often contain more ingredients, such as vitamins.

The type of collagen drink you finally decide on depends, of course, on what you prefer and how much time you want to invest in preparing it.

• Collagen drink as a powder: Here the ingredients are processed into a fine powder that can easily be mixed with water. You can also add the powder to your muesli or a smoothie.
• Collagen drink as a shot: Here the ingredients are processed into a liquid drink. Most collagen drinks come in small ampoules.

Collagen drinks in powder form can be combined with other dishes, but you have to prepare the drink first. Collagen drinks as a shot, on the other hand, are already prepared, but cannot be incorporated into other dishes.

As you can see, collagen drinks are a relatively safe dietary supplement. However, side effects can occur in some cases, especially with other ingredients in the drink.

Basically, you should always read up on the ingredients so that you are informed about possible side effects, especially in case of a known allergy.

Basically, these two alternatives differ only slightly from each other. It can be said that tablets or capsules are usually somewhat higher dosed than collagen drinks. Collagen capsules or collagen tablets are a convenient solution, especially when you are on the go or travelling. In the end, however, you have to choose the product that suits you best.