Liquid collagen is a health and wellness buzzword that you’ve probably come across in recent months - from fitness bloggers to dermatologists, it seems everyone is talking about the benefits of this handy little supplement. But what is liquid collagen, and what is it good for?  

What is Liquid Collagen?

When we refer to liquid collagen, we simply mean a drink containing hydrolysed collagen peptides, which are broken-down molecules of collagen. In its naturally occurring form, collagen is made of large, long, twisted chains of amino acids, but these chains have a higher molecular weight and are therefore more difficult for the body to absorb and use. A process called hydrolysis breaks down these long chains into smaller ones, with a lower molecular weight, and these broken down chains are called collagen peptides.

The reason we use collagen peptides is because in this broken-down form, these smaller chains of protein molecules are easier to absorb than the larger collagen protein, meaning your body gets the maximum benefit from each dose. 

Why Choose Liquid Collagen?

Collagen supplements come in many forms from liquid to pills to powders, but liquid collagen is the superior form to take, as it strikes the perfect balance between convenience and efficiency. This is because liquid collagen is absorbed quicker into the bloodstream than collagen in other forms, allowing the nutrients from a liquid collagen supplement to get to work mere minutes after ingestion. Liquid collagen also has a higher bioavailability than collagen in other forms, too, meaning a higher percentage is absorbed into the body. For instance, liquid collagen has a 90-95% absorption rate, compared with 40-45% for collagen in pill or tablet form. 

Plus, more active ingredients can be packed into a smaller volume when served in liquid form, meaning every sachet of liquid collagen contains a highly concentrated dose. This also makes liquid collagen one of the easiest forms of collagen to take, as there are no awkward tubs of powder or packets of pills to carry around with you, and a dose of liquid collagen can be consumed on the go, no mess, no fuss. There are endless possibilities to customise your dose, too, as liquid collagen can be taken either on its own or mixed into a flavoursome beverage or snack.

And the customisation options don’t end there; extracts, flavours and additional nutrients can be added much more easily to liquid collagen than to powders or pills. For example, we add Vitamin C to our Absolute Collagen sachets to aid with collagen absorption, which helps your body make the most of every dose. We also add a natural lemon flavouring for a tasty fruity twist.

What Does Liquid Collagen Do?

Collagen supplements have been praised for being the modern fountain of youth. There is increasing evidence to suggest that consuming collagen on a daily basis can counter the aging process by reducing some of the symptoms associated with aging, particularly those relating to wrinkled skin, thinning hair, and brittle nails.

As it turns out, these claims are not just an old wives tale. Due to the role collagen plays within the body, taking additional collagen, such as a liquid collagen supplement, has a profound impact on the way your body deals with aging. The reason for this is simple: collagen stimulates the growth and regeneration of tissues. It’s an essential protein, and we all produce it naturally - but as the body ages, production drops, starting to decrease from the age of 25.

So where does a collagen supplement come in? Well, ingesting more collagen stimulates the body to continue its own natural production. A good level of collagen is beneficial for a number of reasons, including

• the promotion of skin healing and elasticity
• the building and maintaining of connective tissue
• the maintenance of ligament and tendon structure.

3 Great Benefits of Liquid Collagen

1 - Liquid Collagen for Skin

Collagen is a vital protein for skin, as it provides elasticity. As a result of environmental factors as well as aging, the skin naturally loses elasticity over time, which shows in wrinkles and stretch marks. But the regained elasticity provided by ingesting liquid collagen stretches out the skin, clearing wrinkles and making the skin plump and firm. This leaves skin looking radiant, healthy, and ultimately younger, countering one of the major visible signs of aging.

Additionally, studies have also shown that hydrolysed liquid collagen helps keep the skin hydrated and smooth, stimulating skin repair and regeneration. 
Collagen also helps with cellulite, which is the name given to the layer of fat right beneath the skin that forms dimples on the thighs, hips, and tummy. Although cellulite is a common feature, and is both natural and harmless, many people wish to reduce the appearance of cellulite and find that collagen does a great job of this by smoothing out the surface of the skin.

2 - Liquid Collagen for Hair and Nails

Hair follicles and nail beds contain collagen that gives hair and nails their strength, so it makes sense that collagen deficiency is partly to blame for brittle nails and dry, weak hair. Adding collagen to your diet can help rejuvenate the health of your nails and hair, as well as help both grow faster. In fact, our very own hair expert, Trichologist Eva Proudman, carried out a perception trial which demonstrated that hair condition improved over 12 weeks for 100% of trial participants, with benefits noted in hair texture and condition, hair loss, and overall scalp health.

Studies also back the effect of collagen on nail health and growth, too. Ingesting collagen peptides was shown to increase nail growth by 12% and reduce instances of nail breakage by 42% in a study of 25 participants over 24 weeks.

So overall, the results of taking a liquid collagen supplement include a full head of smooth, shiny hair, and nails that you won’t be ashamed of in your next visit to a nail salon.

3 - Liquid Collagen Builds Muscle

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and a major constituent of muscle. Increasing your collagen levels provides the body with sufficient muscle-building raw material to grow muscle mass and repair worn out muscle tissues, and this can explain the popularity of collagen supplements with fitness enthusiasts. In addition to muscle building, glycine-rich collagen accelerates the synthesis of creatine that provides muscles with energy, another significant fitness and exercise-based benefit.

But collagen supplements are not only for bodybuilders; we can all benefit from taking collagen. This is because, as the body ages, less material and energy goes into building muscles. Stimulating the body’s muscle building processes using collagen, therefore, directs more energy into muscle building at the expense of storing fat. This is why collagen is associated with weight loss, a benefit we explored in more detail in another blog post.

So in conclusion, liquid collagen is good because it offers a wide variety of benefits. From boosting skin elasticity and minimising fine lines and wrinkles, to supporting muscle development and strengthening hair and nails, taking a collagen supplement can boost your wellbeing at any age. And when it comes to the best way to take a collagen supplement, due to the increased bioavailability, ease and consistency of dosage, and speed at which the active ingredients get to work, it’s clear that liquid collagen is the superior option for many consumers.

Ready to try liquid collagen for the first time? Absolute Collagen is the ideal place to start. Each 10ml sachet of Absolute Collagen contains a single 8 gram serving of high-grade liquid hydrolysed marine collagen, providing the highest amount of collagen in the smallest ready-mixed dose.