By now, you’ve got seen it all over the place: collagen this, collagen that. However what’s collagen within the first place? And extra importantly, how do they make it? Should you’re studying this, we’ll assume you may have an concept of what collagen is so we can’t get too deep into that. As a substitute, we’ll give attention to how collagen is sourced and the method it goes by means of to finish up in your kitchen counter.
What’s Collagen?
Briefly, collagen is a protein that makes up roughly 30% of the protein within the human physique. Its important objective is to offer structural assist to the physique’s connective tissues, akin to pores and skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Most collagen you will discover available on the market has been harvested from an animal supply. Should you’re on the look out for the perfect out there, make certain to take a look at the our article that covers the best collagen supplements!
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at how collagen protein powder makes it to the shelf.
How is collagen protein powder made?
1. Sourcing the Uncooked Materials
As talked about above, collagen is present in varied animal sources. The principle ones are:
- Bovine Collagen (from cows)
- Porcine Collagen (from pigs)
- Marine Collagen (from fish)
Whereas there are extra to select from, these three sources are wealthy in collagen. The collagen is taken from their pores and skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage, elements of the animals that might sometimes go straight into the trash. Utilizing these normally discarded elements helps preserve the collagen business sustainable with out including an enormous burden to the ecosystem.
2. Preparation and Cleansing
As soon as the animal supplies are collected, they bear an intense and thorough cleansing course of to take away fat, impurities, and undesirable tissues. The very best precedence is guaranteeing that solely high-quality collagen stays contaminate-free. If this step is not carried out accurately, it could possibly result in a tainted ultimate product.
3. Extraction of Collagen
Now that the fabric is cleaned and able to go, here is the place the actual transformation happens. They should break down the collagen construction right into a usable type:
Hydrolysis
The commonest technique is enzymatic hydrolysis. The animal materials is soaked in both a heated acidic or base answer (normally acidic) to assist break down the collagen bonds. As soon as that step is full, enzymes are added to scale back the collagen into smaller peptides.
So, principally, the hydrolysis course of helps break down collagen into smaller chains of amino acids, which makes it extra digestible and efficient as a complement.
4. Filtration and Purification
So, although there was the prep and cleansing step, the hydrolyzed collagen must undergo a number of rounds of filtration to do away with any remaining impurities, non-collagen proteins, or different undesirable supplies. At this stage within the course of, the collagen remains to be in a liquid type however extremely purified and prepared for the following step.
5. Dehydration
To transform collagen from liquid to powder, it should bear a dehydration course of. That is normally executed in a course of referred to as spray drying, the place the liquid is sprayed right into a heated chamber. The liquid evaporates because of the excessive temperatures, and a positive powder of collagen is left to be collected.
6. Testing for High quality
Now that the collagen is in powder type, it have to be rechecked for high quality and security causes. Producers usually use a 3rd celebration to test for purity, guaranteeing that the collagen is just that and meets business requirements. The testing additionally verifies that the product comprises the marketed ranges of collagen peptides, which is significant in guaranteeing the right dosage.
7. Flavoring and Packaging
Now that the collagen protein powder is able to be offered, corporations can resolve whether or not to depart it unflavored, add flavoring, or combine the collagen with different components (protein, nutritional vitamins, and many others.). Lastly, the product is packaged in tubs or single-serve packets and offered to shoppers.
3 Advantages of Collagen Protein
Now that you understand how collagen protein is made, let’s take a look at a number of the causes it needs to be a part of your complement routine.
1. Pores and skin Well being
Research have proven that collagen improves pores and skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, and promotes hydration.¹ It is no surprise why it is such a giant a part of many anti-aging stacks.
2. Joint Assist
It helps strengthen joints, scale back ache, and enhance flexibility. One examine discovered a noticeable enchancment in sufferers with osteoarthritis², with related outcomes present in rheumatoid arthritis and athletes in high-impact sports activities in different research.
3. Muscle Restoration
Research have proven that collagen helps muscle restore markers, making it a fantastic addition to post-workout restoration.³ It might not assist stimulate muscle protein synthesis in addition to whey protein, however it could possibly make it easier to get again within the fitness center faster.
Associated: Collagen Benefits For Women
Conclusion
From cow/pig/fish to collagen powder, now you understand how the sausage is made. Whereas not overly difficult, there nonetheless is an actual science to producing a top quality product each time.
The subsequent time you see a collagen powder complement, you’ll be able to see how a lot work goes into getting that product on the cabinets. Should you’ve been on the fence about including collagen protein to your routine, now you can be assured that the thorough manufacturing and testing course of signifies that you are getting a top-quality product.
Take a look at how different dietary supplements are made:
References
- Pu, Szu-Yu, et al. “Results of Oral Collagen for Pores and skin Anti-Growing older: A Systematic Evaluation and Meta-Evaluation.” Vitamins, vol. 15, no. 9, 1 Jan. 2023, p. 2080, www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/9/2080, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092080.
- Martínez-Puig, Daniel, et al. “Collagen Supplementation for Joint Well being: The Hyperlink between Composition and Scientific Data.” Vitamins, vol. 15, no. 6, 1 Jan. 2023, p. 1332, www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/6/1332.
- Bischof, Kevin, et al. “Affect of Particular Collagen Peptides and 12-Week Concurrent Coaching on Restoration-Associated Biomechanical Traits Following Train-Induced Muscle Harm—a Randomized Managed Trial.” Frontiers in Diet, vol. 10, 16 Nov. 2023, p. 1266056, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10687431/, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1266056.
