By now, we have all heard about the numerous benefits of collagen. It’s the secret to youthful looking skin and hair, healthy joints and bones, and so much more.
Collagen is like the glue that holds things together. In fact, it is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It is part of the structure of our bones, cartilage, muscles, and skin and its purpose is to help our tissues be more elastic and rebound from stretching. Our bodies produce collagen naturally throughout our lifetime with the help of our skin’s fibroblasts, assuming the right ratio of amino acids and other nutrients are available through our diet.
Unfortunately, as we age, our body’s ability to make collagen decreases and as a result, aesthetic concerns like wrinkles and sagging skin can occur. These conditions can be exacerbated by stress, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices like sun exposure, smoking, and high-sugar diets. Luckily, the production of collagen can be improved in many ways like with the use of light and energy-based therapies like lasers, injectables, topical products, supplements, and even through the food that we eat—which is what we will explore in this article.
Below are eight foods that stimulate collagen production naturally.
Bone broth contains gelatin, which contains three key amino acids including glycine, proline, and glutamine. Glycine reduces inflammation in the body. Proline contributes to healthy collagen production in the skin and arteries, while also assisting the body in cushioning joints and healing cartilage. Glutamine aids muscle building, healthy brain function, and is vital for digestive and immune health.#
Bone broth is readily available in stores and online and it is quite simple to make at home. All you need to do is boil animal bones in water so that the collagen is extracted from the connected tissue into the broth. The longer the bones are boiled, the more nutrient dense your collagen will be.
Collagen is like the glue that holds things together. In fact, it is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It is part of the structure of our bones, cartilage, muscles, and skin and its purpose is to help our tissues be more elastic and rebound from stretching. Our bodies produce collagen naturally throughout our lifetime with the help of our skin’s fibroblasts, assuming the right ratio of amino acids and other nutrients are available through our diet.
Unfortunately, as we age, our body’s ability to make collagen decreases and as a result, aesthetic concerns like wrinkles and sagging skin can occur. These conditions can be exacerbated by stress, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices like sun exposure, smoking, and high-sugar diets. Luckily, the production of collagen can be improved in many ways like with the use of light and energy-based therapies like lasers, injectables, topical products, supplements, and even through the food that we eat—which is what we will explore in this article.
Below are eight foods that stimulate collagen production naturally.
1. Cirtus Fruits
Go ahead and squeeze that lemon (or lime, grapefruit, or orange) in your water because Vitamin C, which is found in abundance in citrus fruits not only helps with collagen production, it helps stabilize collagen due to its ability to provide antioxidant protection against free radicals and environmental stressors.2. Bone Broth
Whether you make your own bone broth or buy it, bone broth is a great source of protein and collagen that is bioavailable for the body to use right away. The consumption of dietary collagen is quite important because it essentially mainlines collagen to the body’s cells.Bone broth contains gelatin, which contains three key amino acids including glycine, proline, and glutamine. Glycine reduces inflammation in the body. Proline contributes to healthy collagen production in the skin and arteries, while also assisting the body in cushioning joints and healing cartilage. Glutamine aids muscle building, healthy brain function, and is vital for digestive and immune health.#
Bone broth is readily available in stores and online and it is quite simple to make at home. All you need to do is boil animal bones in water so that the collagen is extracted from the connected tissue into the broth. The longer the bones are boiled, the more nutrient dense your collagen will be.