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Collagen Peptides
Joint Health, Bone Health
$ 51. 95
Collagen Peptides
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One-time Purchase
View Full Details
Collagen Peptides
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One-time Purchase
View Full Details
Collagen Shot
Joint Health, Bone Health
$ 41. 95
Collagen Shot
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Collagen research has exploded over the last 10 years. In early iterations, collagen supplementation was identified as a strong proponent for healthy growth of hair, skin, and fingernails. New studies show that collagen is also a vital component for soft tissue development in joints and ligaments. But while the benefits of collagen continue to be expanded upon, there is new data that suggests we could be taking it all wrong. But before we jump into the research around caffeine and collagen, it’s important to understand what collagen is and how it works in the body.
What Does Collagen Do?
Collagen provides structural support to connective tissues thanks to its strength and resistance to stretching. There are 28 distinct types of collagen, but the most common are types I, II, and III, which make up 80–90% of the collagen in the body.
- Type I: Skin, tendon, bone, ligaments, teeth and interstitial tissues
- Type II: Cartilage, vitreous fluid (in the eyes)
- Type III: Skin, muscle, blood vessels
As early as your mid-20s and 30s, your body begins to lose collagen. Over time, you can lose up to 1% of your body's collagen stores annually, making supplementation essential to maintain healthy tissues.
Timing Is Key
Collagen supplementation is best used before engaging in a moderate to high intensity activity. For active individuals and athletes, using a collagen supplement 60 minutes before activity can help increase both the strength and amount of collagen produced naturally in the body. Initial data from new research goes as far as to suggest a 200% increase in collagen synthesis when taken before a workout.
Yet, both timing and its most common delivery system present a problem for collagen supplementation: Caffeine.
Collagen and Coffee? Maybe Not
If you’ve taken collagen supplements, you know that one of the challenges can be mixing it effectively. One of the solutions to this problem has traditionally been to mix your collagen with coffee or tea. The thinking is that the warm liquid helps to dissolve the powder and aid absorption.
While that may be true, using coffee, tea, or a caffeinated pre-workout could actually be limiting your collagen synthesis and inhibiting the overall effectiveness of supplementation. As a matter of fact, studies show that taking it with caffeine could actually decrease synthesis by up to 92%.
How? Caffeine suppresses collagen production by preventing cell growth and interfering with the development of cartilage. In turn, this affects the ability to make new collagen and the genes involved in maturing cartilage cells.
The Studies
- One study found that caffeine reduces collagen synthesis in human skin. It showed that exposing the most common type of cell found in connective tissue to different concentrations of caffeine led to up to 92% less of the protein being produced. Less collagen could lead to dryer skin, more wrinkles, and more visible signs of ageing.
- Another study suggested that caffeine may even slow wound healing. Researchers found that caffeine restricted cell proliferation, suggesting that it may inhibit wound healing and skin growth over the wound. Collagen helps promote cell proliferation, and thus the inhibited production of collagen by caffeine may slow healing of cuts or scrapes.
- Research also shows that caffeine could interfere with cartilage and bone growth. Results demonstrate that caffeine can interfere with cartilage growth by inhibiting the synthetic activity and orderly expression of marker genes needed for cartilage cell development. Less cartilage and bone growth is a recipe for long-term injury and significant interruptions in training.
If you're taking collagen for its host of positive effects, it makes sense to get the most benefit possible. But that doesn't mean you have to change your morning routine completely.
Alternatives
Add collagen to your PM routine - Add your collagen to an evening cup of caffeine-free herbal tea to reap the benefits before you go to bed.
Change up your pre-workout - Look for a pre-workout that doesn't contain any caffeine if you want to take collagen before exercise (which is the best time to take it).
Wait a few hours - If going caffeine-free in the morning or before workouts seems impossible, wait a few hours post-caffeine before taking collagen to achieve effectiveness.
While there are many benefits to taking collagen, it's essential to be aware of how it can interact with other supplements, like caffeine. By understanding the science, you can make sure you're getting the most out of your collagen supplementation.
1 Przylipiak, A., Donejko, M., Rysiak, E., Gluszuk, K., & Surażyński, A. (2014). Influence of caffeine and hyaluronic acid on collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts. In Drug Design, Development and Therapy (p. 1923). Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s69791
2Ojeh, N., Stojadinovic, O., Pastar, I., Sawaya, A., Yin, N., & Tomic-Canic, M. (2014). The effects of caffeine on wound healing. In International Wound Journal (Vol. 13, Issue 5, pp. 605–613). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.12327
3Choi, H., Choi, Y., Kim, J., Bae, J., & Roh, J. (2016). Longitudinal bone growth is impaired by direct involvement of caffeine with chondrocyte differentiation in the growth plate. In Journal of Anatomy (Vol. 230, Issue 1, pp. 117–127). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12530
4 Close, G. L., Sale, C., Baar, K., & Bermon, S. (2019). Nutrition for the Prevention and Treatment of Injuries in Track and Field Athletes. In International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (Vol. 29, Issue 2, pp. 189–197). Human Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0290
As a passionate advocate for health and wellness with a deep-rooted interest in collagen research, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. My commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific developments allows me to unravel complex topics and present information in a way that is both informative and accessible. Allow me to delve into the intriguing realm of collagen and its multifaceted role in promoting joint and bone health.
Collagen, a structural protein, has garnered significant attention over the past decade, with research continually uncovering its diverse benefits beyond the realm of hair, skin, and nails. The primary focus has shifted towards its crucial role in soft tissue development within joints and ligaments. Before we explore recent findings on the interaction between caffeine and collagen, let's establish a foundational understanding of what collagen does in the body.
Collagen provides essential structural support to connective tissues due to its inherent strength and resistance to stretching. Among the 28 distinct types of collagen, types I, II, and III dominate, constituting 80–90% of the body's collagen. Notably:
- Type I is found in skin, tendon, bone, ligaments, teeth, and interstitial tissues.
- Type II is prevalent in cartilage and vitreous fluid (in the eyes).
- Type III is present in skin, muscle, and blood vessels.
As we age, our bodies naturally begin to lose collagen, with an annual decline of up to 1% from our mid-20s and 30s onwards. To counter this loss, collagen supplementation becomes imperative for maintaining healthy tissues. Timing plays a crucial role, especially before engaging in moderate to high-intensity activities. For athletes and active individuals, taking a collagen supplement approximately 60 minutes before physical activity can potentially lead to a substantial increase in both the strength and natural production of collagen. Recent research even suggests a remarkable 200% increase in collagen synthesis when taken before a workout.
Now, let's address a vital consideration in collagen supplementation—timing and its common delivery method, which presents a potential obstacle: caffeine. Mixing collagen with coffee or tea has been a traditional solution, leveraging the warmth of the liquid to facilitate powder dissolution and absorption. However, recent studies indicate that this combination might be counterproductive, potentially hindering collagen synthesis by up to 92%.
Caffeine, prevalent in coffee, tea, and many pre-workout supplements, has been found to suppress collagen production by impeding cell growth and interfering with cartilage development. This interference affects the synthesis of new collagen and the genes responsible for maturing cartilage cells. Studies have demonstrated that caffeine's impact extends to reducing collagen synthesis in human skin, potentially leading to drier skin, increased wrinkles, and visible signs of aging. Additionally, caffeine may hinder wound healing by restricting cell proliferation, thereby inhibiting the skin growth necessary for wound recovery.
Furthermore, research highlights caffeine's potential interference with cartilage and bone growth. Inhibiting the synthetic activity and orderly expression of marker genes essential for cartilage cell development could lead to long-term injury and disruptions in training.
To optimize the benefits of collagen supplementation without compromising its efficacy, consider the following alternatives:
- Add collagen to your evening routine by mixing it with caffeine-free herbal tea.
- Explore pre-workout options that exclude caffeine if you prefer taking collagen before exercise.
- If avoiding caffeine entirely seems challenging, wait a few hours post-caffeine consumption before taking collagen to ensure its effectiveness.
In conclusion, while collagen offers a myriad of benefits, understanding its interaction with other substances, particularly caffeine, is crucial for maximizing its positive effects. By aligning your collagen supplementation with scientific insights, you can harness its potential to support your overall health and well-being.
References:
- Przylipiak, A., et al. (2014). Influence of caffeine and hyaluronic acid on collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts.
- Ojeh, N., et al. (2014). The effects of caffeine on wound healing.
- Choi, H., et al. (2016). Longitudinal bone growth is impaired by direct involvement of caffeine with chondrocyte differentiation in the growth plate.
- Close, G. L., et al. (2019). Nutrition for the Prevention and Treatment of Injuries in Track and Field Athletes.
