What is hydrolyzed collagen? To put it simply, all collagen is hydrolyzed … but there are different levels of hydrolyzation. In the process, protein (more specifically, its amino acids) has been broken down into smaller units, making collagen more easily digestible for humans. This is important because we wouldn’t be able to absorb the nutrients if we just ate cow hides or bones — collagen's original source.
A notable characteristic of fully hydrolyzed collagen (keyword here being “fully”) is that it's soluble in both cold and hot liquids, unflavored and odorless, and easy to mix into smoothies, fresh fruit juice or even water. Thus, hydrolyzed collagen can be an easy way to add collagen into your diet.
This type of hydrolyzed collagen is better known as our popular Collagen Peptides, but it can also be referred to as Collagen Hydrolysate. Below, we explore the benefits further so that you can see how hydrolyzed collagen can help you in your effort to promote healthy hair, skin, nails and joints.**
What Is Hydrolyzed Collagen?
As we mentioned above, the hydrolyzation process breaks down the collagen protein’s amino acid chains. This makes the nutrients – arginine, proline, glycine and hydroxyproline – easier and faster to digest by consumers. By being easier to digest, your body can start enjoying all its great benefits.
What Is Hydrolyzed Collagen Made From?
Vital Proteins collagen is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine to ensure a natural, high quality source of the powerful ingredient. (Note: Marine Collagen is made from the scales of fresh, non-gmo, wild-caught whitefish.) From here, the protein in collagen (more specifically, its amino acids) are broken down into smaller units, making collagen more easily digestible for humans.
What Are The Benefits of Hydrolyzed Collagen?**
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein and helps give structure to our hair, skin, nails, bones, ligaments and tendons. Thanks to collagen, we’re better able to move, bend and stretch. Collagen is also behind helping hair shine, skin glow and nails stay strong.**
As we age, and the more stress we put on our body, the greater the impact on collagen production. Adding ingestible collagen to a balanced diet can help our bodies regenerate what’s been lost or broken down.** The same applies to hydrolyzed collagen. Here are all the ways it can benefit you:
- Collagen and the Body: Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and including collagen in your diet are a few ways to help keep these important parts of our bodies well-oiled and strong.
- Collagen and Joints: As important as exercise is to our lives, strenuous and continuous exertion can put a strain on our bodies, especially on muscles, joints and ligaments. Incorporating ingestible collagen (i.e. hydrolyzed collagen) into your diet can help support joint health.
- Collagen and Skin: Collagen production begins to slow down as we get older. With this, you may start to notice signs of aging in your complexion, which can be seen as a reduction of firmness and elasticity in your skin. Supplementing with collagen is a great way to continue to promote the beautiful, youthful appearance you so covet.
- Collagen and Hair: Collagen is a key component in hair, and people who supplement with it can help support long, luscious locks by adding it to their daily regiments.
- Collagen and Nails: People who take collagen can help promote longer, more durable nails.
Does Beef Gelatin Contain Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Since hydrolyzed collagen can quickly dissolve in liquids of different temperatures, it’s no surprise that collagen that is partially hydrolyzed isn’t as versatile when it comes to its solubility. That’s not to say partially hydrolyzed collagen isn’t versatile in other ways, however. (But more on that later.)
Collagen that is partially hydrolyzed is referred to as gelatin. We offer a partially hydrolyzed collagen product called Beef Gelatin. Unlike our Collagen Peptides, our Beef Gelatin does not get broken down by enzymes, a crucial step that makes Collagen Peptides soluble in both hot and cold liquids. Skipping this step is what makes Beef Gelatin partially hydrolyzed and only easily soluble in hot liquids.
Its molecular weight is higher than that of peptides and is mostly used in soups, stews and highly nutritious desserts. It offers the same amino acids, but is not as soluble in cold water. A warmer temperature is needed to mix well into recipes. In fact, our Beef Gelatin solidifies in cold liquid, making it an ideal ingredient for folks looking to make collagen gummies or are simply needing a thickener for soups, custards and stews. The same “binding” or thickening effect can’t be achieved with Collagen Peptides.
Using Beef Gelatin may help ease digestion, strengthen joints and bones, and improve the health of hair, skin, and nails.** Beef Gelatin helps the body digest food you might not be used to eating. Beef Gelatin is slower to digest, moves through the GI tract further and coats the small intestine.
Which Hydrolyzed Collagen Product Is For Me?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Choosing hydrolyzed collagen or collagen that is partially hydrolyzed is up to personal preference and diet. Our Collagen Peptides is quicker to digest; it's usually a go-to for those who want to easily ingest collagen via their mocktail, as an example. On the other hand, someone with sensitive collagen intake may want to look into our Beef Gelatin.
