With all the hype about collagen and the flood of supplements on the market, you might think that the science backing its body-boosting properties is rock solid. But for the most part, the evidence is currently far from conclusive. At this point, just consider it suggestive, but promising nonetheless.
What does science say about collagen for athletes?
According to a meta-analysis of previous research, there is enough evidence that collagen supplementation can help reduce pain symptoms in people with osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage in a joint begins to break down. So, if you suffer from sharp pain in your joints or are prone to prolonged muscle soreness after training/competition, taking collagen can give you some relief and help you recover faster from the tiring training sessions or competitions.
Opting for hydrolyzed collagen products is crucial as the amino acid chains are broken down to be more easily absorbed. (Just look for the words “Peptides” or “Hydrolyzed” on the packaging.) Research suggests that hydrolyzed collagen, which forms amino acid chains (peptides), can be absorbed intact through the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream. Here they may have a better chance of getting to their target tissue such as skin and then contributing to the formation of collagen than the individual amino acids that are formed when all of the collagen is broken down by digestive enzymes.
