Collagen, a protein naturally produced by the body, is essential for maintaining skin elasticity, hydration, and strength.
Various foods and beverages infused with collagen, such as instant noodles, bubble tea, and bird nest, have recently entered the market, claiming to enhance skin suppleness. But do these products deliver on their promises? Here’s a closer look from a health perspective.
The Role of Collagen in the Body
Collagen is found in bones, cartilage, nails, and hair, providing structural support and protecting organs and joints. Singapore-accredited nutritionist Adlyn Farizah explains that our bodies produce collagen using amino acids from protein-rich foods like meat, fish, and poultry. Foods such as fish skin, gelatin, and bone broth are particularly collagen-rich.
Decreased Collagen Production with Age
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and the quality declines, resulting in less firm and elastic skin. Factors such as excessive sun exposure, smoking, and lack of sleep or physical activity can further reduce collagen production.
Collagen-Infused Foods and Drinks
In an attempt to counteract these effects, some eateries have started adding collagen to popular food and drinks like hotpot and bubble tea.
- Nissin Singapore has introduced Collagen Hot Pot Soup Base, featuring rich chicken broth with collagen, now available at major supermarkets and Don Don Donki outlets.
- Similarly, TruLife, a contemporary healthcare brand, has launched a range of products, including a collagen drink containing 15,000mg of collagen per bottle and a collagen bird nest combining the health benefits of bird nest with collagen.
- Previously, the bubble tea store Liho launched a collagen bubble tea in collaboration with a skincare company.
Forms of Consumption
Collagen can be consumed in various forms:
- Natural Foods: Foods like bone broth, fish skin, and gelatin are naturally high in collagen.
- Supplements: These typically come as collagen peptides.
- Infused Foods and Drinks: Products like collagen-infused bubble tea and instant noodles have become popular.
Do These Products Work?
The effectiveness of consuming infused foods and drinks is still under debate. Ms Adlyn points out that our bodies cannot absorb collagen in its whole form. Instead, digestion breaks it down into peptides, which enter the bloodstream but are not guaranteed to reform into collagen and benefit the skin specifically. These peptides might instead be used where the body needs them most, such as muscles, bones, tendons, and cartilage.
How Do They Taste?
We asked Evelyn Yap, an account manager who recently tried Trulife’s Collagen Pearl Activa Max Sugar Free product. She had been curious and wanted to find out if she could get used to the taste.
She added “I am still wondering whether our bodies can absorb these large molecules and use the collagen effectively. It has a slight fishy taste, similar to fish oil capsules, but it’s not too bad. Manageable if you’re used to fish oil. The drink is quite thick, more like a chicken essence texture than a juice.”
Scientific Evidence and Research
Research on these supplements often comes from small-scale trials, usually funded by the manufacturers. This raises questions about the impartiality of the results. Ms Adlyn notes that other ingredients in these supplements could also contribute to the observed benefits, making it difficult to attribute the effects solely to collagen consumption.
Health and Safety Considerations
Those opting to try such supplements should avoid products with excessive fillers or additives. Consumers are advised to purchase from reliable sources such as pharmacies and check the Health Sciences Authority’s online database for safe supplements.
Expert Recommendations
According to Dr Tan Kian Teo, a dermatologist with Skin Physicians, maintaining a balanced diet should provide the necessary raw ingredients for the body to produce collagen naturally. He also emphasises the importance of using sunscreen to protect collagen from UV damage and suggests procedures like high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment to stimulate production in the skin.
Conclusion
While the jury is still out on the efficacy of collagen-infused foods and drinks for enhancing skin health, maintaining a balanced diet and protecting the skin from environmental damage remain crucial. Therefore, for those considering such supplements, careful selection and consultation with healthcare providers are recommended to ensure safety and potential benefits.
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