Collagen & Tea?

We are planning to launch our high-performance collagen blend very soon. In the lead-up to launch, we thought a post about the importance of collagen would be appropriate. Here is the “101” on collagen, which, by the way, is the most abundant protein in your body!

Collagen has various critical roles, including providing structure to your skin and helping your blood clot.

It has gained popularity as a nutritional supplement and ingredient in face and body lotions in recent years.

Still, you may wonder what collagen is, as well as what it’s suitable for. Our post gives you a thorough overview of this vital protein.

What Is Collagen?...

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for about one-third of its protein composition.

It’s one of the primary building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen is found in many other body parts, including blood vessels, corneas, and teeth.

You can think of it as the “glue” that holds all these things together. The word comes from the Greek word “kólla,” which means glue.

What Does Collagen Do For Your Body?...

There are at least 16 types of collagen. The four main protein types are type I, II, III, and IV.

Here’s a closer look at the four main types of collagen and their roles in your body:

• Type I. This type accounts for 90% of your body’s collagen and is made of densely packed fibers. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth.
• Type II. This type is made of more loosely packed fibers and is found in elastic cartilage, which cushions your joints.
• Type III. This type supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries.
• Type IV. This type helps with filtration and is found in the layers of your skin.

As you age, your body produces less and lower-quality collagen.

One of the visible signs of this is in your skin, which becomes less firm and supple. Cartilage also weakens with age. Why not ingest much-needed additional collagen via an infused high-performance tea blend?

Nutrients That Increase Collagen…

All collagen starts as procollagen.

Your body makes procollagen by combining two amino acids. Glycine and proline. This process uses vitamin C.

You may be able to help your body produce this vital protein by making sure you get plenty of the following nutrients:

• Vitamin C. Large amounts are found in cherries, rosehips, and blackcurrants.
• Proline. Large amounts are found in egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus, and mushrooms.
• Glycine. Large amounts are found in pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin, but glycine is also found in various protein-containing foods.
• Copper. Large amounts are found in organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews, and lentils.

In addition, your body needs high-quality protein that contains the amino acids needed to make new proteins. Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, legumes, and tofu are all excellent sources of amino acids.

Things That Damage Collagen…

Perhaps it’s even more critical to avoid the following collagen-destroying behaviors:

• Eating too much sugar and refined carbs. Sugar interferes with collagen’s ability to repair itself. Try minimizing your consumption of added sugar and refined carbs.
• Getting too much sunshine. Ultraviolet radiation can reduce collagen production. Try avoiding excessive sun exposure.
• Smoking. Smoking reduces collagen production. This can impair wound healing and lead to wrinkles.

Some autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, can also damage collagen.

Natural Food Sources…

Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animal foods. For example, it’s found in large amounts in chicken and pork skin.

One particularly rich source is bone broth, which is made by boiling the bones of chicken and other animals.

Gelatin is cooked collagen, so it’s very high in the amino acids needed to produce it.

However, there’s debate over whether consuming collagen-rich foods increases the levels of this protein in your body.

When you eat protein, it’s broken down into amino acids and then reassembled, so the collagen you eat wouldn’t translate directly into higher levels in your body.

Benefits Of Collagen Supplements…

Two types of supplements are gaining popularity, hydrolyzed collagen (collagen hydrolysate) and gelatin. Gelatin is created when collagen is cooked.

These have already broken the large protein down into smaller peptides, which are more easily absorbed in the body.

There aren’t many studies on collagen supplements, but those that exist show promise for benefits in the following areas:

• Muscle mass. A 2019 study in recreationally active men showed that a combination of collagen peptide supplements and strength training increased muscle mass and strength more than a placebo.
• Arthritis. A 2017 animal study looked at the effects of giving collagen supplements to mice with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). The results indicated that supplementation might play a protective role in the disease’s development and progression.
• Skin elasticity. Women who took a supplement showed improvements in skin appearance and elasticity in a 2019 study. Collagen is also used in topical treatments to improve the appearance of skin by minimizing lines and wrinkles. 

Some alternative medicine practitioners also advocate using collagen supplements to treat leaky gut syndrome.

The Bottom Line…

Collagen is an important protein that provides structure for many parts of the body.

Interestingly, the foods and nutrients you eat can help your body make this protein.

Alternatively, collagen supplements can be beneficial. Some preliminary studies show that they improve skin quality, muscle function and reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Our Plan For A Collagen Infused High-Performance Tea…

We are currently finalizing our own collagen-infused high-performance tea blend. We intend to infuse it with Vitamin C, Proline, Glycine & Copper coupled with the highest-grade hydrolyzed collagen supplement. It will be a collagen powerhouse!

If you are interested in this blend, please message us via our website, and we will add you to an exclusive list.

Kerri Imrie has a Diploma in Business Management and is the founder of Tea Now.

Kerri is passionate about holistic health. Her goal is to empower people to take control of their health and show that the quality of our lives is directly linked to how we treat our bodies and minds. You can follow her @teanow.au

Kerri is not a qualified health practitioner. Always consult a health professional before deciding if a health product is right for you.