Collagen powder supplements are all the rage right now, and many people have started putting it in coffee to help streamline their supplement routine.
Many people take collagen peptides for its various health benefits. Collagen has been shown to improve the appearance skin, improve joint health, strengthen bones, and boost the strength of their hair and nails.
However, many people wonder if collagen powder still works when it's mixed into hot drinks such as coffee, or if high temperatures denatures the collagen proteins. This article will delve into the science behind whether or not it's effective to put collagen in your coffee.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It's abundant in the muscles, bones, joints, cartilage, skin, and connective tissue throughout the body.
Collagen plays a crucial role in helping maintain the structure and integrity of your tissues and joints. It can even help strengthen bones, reduce bone loss, and may even play a role in reducing inflammation.
Some evidence suggests that it can support cardiovascular health by strengthening blood vessels throughout the body.
Perhaps the most common reason to take this supplement is for skin health. It can help you have healthy skin by boosting elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, ultimately helping yield a more youthful and vibrant glow.
Collagen can also improve hair growth and support the lining of the digestive tract.
Where Does Collagen Come From?
Collagen is found in various protein-rich food sources. Specifically, it is found in foods that are high in amino acids proline and glycine.
Foods like meat, fish, bone broth, eggs, dairy products, and chicken skin specifically are naturally high in collagen.
The body also makes some on its own. However, our body's natural collagen production declines as we age, which is why many people turn to supplements. As early as age 25, natural collagen production starts to decline.
However, eating foods rich in vitamin C is a great way to boost our body's natural collagen production as vitamin C is a precursor for collagen.
Collagen supplements are sourced from the connective tissue of various animals or marine life.
Does Heat Destroy Collagen?
Amongst its popularity, many consumers have chosen to mix collagen protein powder into their coffee, raising concern over whether or not high temperatures dentures the proteins, rendering it ineffective.
When collagen peptides become denatured, they are partially degraded and broken down. This changes the structure of the protein which can affect how it supports your health.
While high temperature levels can denature collagen proteins, the temperature of coffee tends to be much lower than that needed for this to occur.
At What Temperature Does Collagen Denature?
While your coffee may be piping hot, it's still not hot enough to denature the collagen peptides to a point that would render the proteins ineffective. So, what temperature will?
What if I told you that the proteins in most collagen powders were actually somewhat denatured, to begin with?
The process of extracting collagen from an animal source requires exposure to a large amount of heat, acidity, and alkaline solutions, all of which can denature the proteins. However, this doesn't render them ineffective but rather makes them easier to digest and absorb.
After collagen proteins are extracted, it's important to prevent further exposure to excessive high temperatures to keep the proteins intact.
Research suggests that collagen proteins would have to be exposed to temperatures over 300 degrees Fahrenheit in order for protein degradation to occur [1].
Luckily, the temperature of a cup of coffee is nowhere near this hot, meaning you don't have to worry that your daily cup of coffee is impacting the health benefits from your collage supplement.
Can I Add Collagen to Hot Coffee?
Yes, you can definitely add your collagen powders to any hot beverage without fear that it will denature the collagen or make it any less effective.
The average temperature of a cup of hot coffee is under 205 degrees Fahrenheit which is far below the temperature where degradation of these proteins would begin [2].
Plus, bone broth is also a great source of collagen and that is also consumed hot. So, there's no need to worry that your supplement is less effective if you mix it with coffee, or tea for that matter.
To achieve the desired outcomes from your collagen, it's important to stay consistent with your collagen intake. Whether your choose to add your collagen to coffee, hot water, or tea, aim to consume collagen on a regular basis to best support your health.
Will Collagen Make My Coffee Smell Weird?
Collagen supplements are odorless. Adding an unflavored collagen powder to your coffee should not cause your coffee to smell weird.
If you are using a flavored collagen powder it may cause an odor but this should align with whatever the flavor is. For example, if you use chocolate collagen powder in your coffee, it may smell chocolatey.
If you are adding collagen supplements to your coffee and it has an off-odor, it may be rancid. You can usually tell this by the smell before mixing it into your coffee.
Other ways to tell if your collagen powder is rancid are if the color has changed, if it becomes clumpy or grainy, if it has an off-taste, or if it has visible signs of mold.
Ideas to Add Collagen to Coffee
There are many ways to add collagen to your coffee.
If you are new to adding collagen supplements to your favorite brew, here are a few ways to try it out. To make a good coffee even better, you can simply mix in one of your favorite beneficial collagen supplements.
Choose Flavored
Try out a flavored collagen powder, such as chocolate or vanilla, and mix it with your coffee in place of a sweetener. To ensure a well-mixed product, consider using a milk frother to evenly disperse the powder into your coffee.
Try Out a Collagen Creamer
Many supplement manufacturers are recognizing the popularity of collagen coffee and various lines of collagen creamer have been developed to make this easier and more flavorful.
Avoid brands with added sugar sugar or artificial ingredients to ensure you're getting the highest quality supplement and best quality ingredients that will nourish your skin.
Try it Cold-Brewed
Collagen coffee is not limited to hot brew. Try collagen with your favorite cold brew coffee. If you like your coffee sweet, mix with your milk of choice and add a sugar-free or natural sweetener if using an unflavored option.
How Much Collagen Should I Take Per Day?
The amount of collagen you take per day varies depending on your goals and the form of collagen you are taking. Collagen supplements can be found in several forms but type II hydrolyzed collagen is the most popular.
Research has suggested taking supplemental hydrolyzed collagen supplements in doses ranging from 2.5 to 15 grams per day [3].
Daily intake of doses of 2.5g has been associated with improvements in things like joint pain and skin appearance while larger doses of 15g have been associated with improvements in building lean body mass when combined with regular resistance exercise [4, 5, 6].
Keep in mind that no one supplement can replace the importance of maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet. Ensure your diet is balanced with adequate protein, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Benefits of Mixing Collagen in Coffee
Despite all the health benefits of taking collagen supplements, many people find it challenging to take them regularly. Unfortunately, they don't have the same effect if you only take them now and again.
Combining your collagen with a consistent part of your daily routine, such as having a cup of coffee in the morning, is an easy and effective way to achieve the desired health benefits of this wonderful supplement.
TL;DR
Adding collagen supplements to coffee is a popular new trend but many have concerns that the temperature of freshly brewed coffee may denature the proteins in collagen and render it ineffective but this is not the case. Coffee is brewed around 200 degrees Fahrenheit and collagen proteins only begin to denature over 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mixing collagen in coffee doesn't affect the taste (if unflavored) or the smell of your coffee unless it has gone rancid.
Adding collagen in coffee is an easy way to remember to consume it daily so you can get the best benefit from it.
If you're looking for ways to improve your skin health, strengthen your bones, hair, or nails, mixing this daily supplement with your morning cup of coffee can be a great way to level up your morning routine.
Research supports the benefit of collagen supplements ranging in doses from 2.5 grams to 15 grams. It's also an easy way to boost your protein intake.
Also Read:
Does Collagen Make You Gain Weight?
Can You Take Collagen on an Empty Stomach?
