Collagen: What It Is and Its Benefits 

Tons of beauty products are available in the market, but collagen is the most popular today. In fact, many women take supplements with this ingredient to make their skin glow. This protein is also present in various skincare essentials because of its numerous perks. So, what are the beauty benefits of collagen? Here are important details you need to know about this protein. 

What is Collagen? 

As the most abundant protein in your body, collagen’s main function is to provide support, elasticity, and strength to connective tissues like skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones. 

The human body can create collagen, but it decreases as a person ages. Other factors, like smoking, sun exposure, and unhealthy diet, can also trigger its degradation. Unfortunately, low amounts of collagen may lead to signs of aging, such as joint pain and wrinkles. 

The good news is that increasing your body’s collagen is possible. The most popular method is through collagen supplements. Consuming collagen-boosting nutrients is another great method to stimulate collagen production. 

Beauty Benefits of Collagen 

Collagen is the major protein that gives structure to your nails, hair, and skin. As such, it offers several beauty benefits, making it a popular ingredient in beauty products like collagen face masks. 

Improves Skin Elasticity and Firmness

One of collagen’s function is to make your skin elastic and firm. That’s why when your body produces less collagen as you age, you may experience sagging skin. An excellent solution for this skin aging problem is to boost your collagen level through diet or supplementation. 

Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

When your skin loses its elasticity and firmness, it may also result in fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is that one of the beauty benefits of collagen is reducing the appearance of wrinkles. This effect is not only due to its role in making your skin firm and elastic. Studies reveal that collagen can help enhance hydration, making your skin smooth, radiant, and supple. 

Strengthens Nails and Hair

Collagen is one of the structural proteins of your hair follicles. For this reason, you can ensure thicker and stronger hair by getting enough collagen. Additionally, this protein strengthens your nails, so it can also help prevent nail breakage and brittleness. 

Vegan Ways to Get Collagen

Although the common sources of collagen are animal products, there are vegan approaches to ensure your body produces enough collagen. These are the following: 

Adding Collagen-Boosting Nutrients to Your Diet 

A diet with animal products is not the only way to increase your body’s collagen. As a vegan, you can boost collagen production by eating foods with the nutrients needed to create collagen. The key nutrients are: 

• Vitamin C – This vitamin is crucial in making collagen for various reasons. First, your body needs it to create pro-collagen, an essential substance for producing collagen. Aside from that, vitamin C also aids in converting amino acids, like lysine and proline, into collagen. You can get this vitamin in fruits and veggies, such as broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries, and citrus fruits. 
  
• Amino Acids – These molecules are the building blocks of proteins. Because collagen is a protein, these molecules should also be a part of your diet. The essential amino acids you need in creating collagen are glycine, lysine, and proline. You can get them in foods such as beans, mushrooms, soybean products, kale, and spinach. 

• Minerals – Certain minerals are also needed to produce collagen. These nutrients are copper, zinc, and silica. Foods rich in these minerals are whole grains, lentils, quinoa, nuts, seeds, and some dark leafy vegetables. 

Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods 

Collagen degradation happen in different ways. For one, free radicals can destroy collagen, further decreasing the amounts of collagen in your body. Fortunately, antioxidants can destroy free radicals before these harmful molecules cause havoc inside your body. The best part is that these cell-protecting substances are found in numerous foods, including berries, seeds, and green leafy vegetables. 

Take Supplements 

Many people rely on supplements to reap the beauty benefits of collagen. In fact, numerous collagen powders, drinks, and gummies are promoted to give your skin a youthful and radiant glow. Unfortunately, most of these supplements are made with animal products. Even so, you can find vegan brands on the market. Vegan supplements don’t contain collagen. Instead, they have plant-based ingredients or nutrients that help your body create more collagen. 

Key Takeaway 

Collagen is an important protein because it provides structure, support, and strength throughout the human body. Its value is not only primarily due to its anti-aging effects. It is also valuable for other parts of your body, such as your muscles, bones, and joints. That’s one reason it is crucial to help your body create more collagen, especially as you age. Fortunately, there are vegan ways to stimulate collagen production. Through these methods, you can reap the beauty benefits of collagen and feel fabulous without harming animals.