The old argument, that digestion destroys collagen, is partially true for whole proteins. However, the game-changer in recent years has been hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen peptides.
Research indicates that these peptides are chopped up into microscopic chains that are tough enough to survive your stomach acid. Once they hit your bloodstream, they act like a distress signal. They trick your body’s fibroblasts (the cells responsible for making skin structure) into thinking you are losing collagen rapidly. In a panic, your body responds by churning out more of its own natural collagen.
The data is surprisingly solid here. Meta-analyses suggest that a daily dose of 2.5g to 10g of these peptides, taken for 8 to 12 weeks, can genuinely improve elasticity and hydration. It won’t give you a new face, but it can certainly refresh the one you have.