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Monday 13 May 2019

About Collagen and Some Collagen Boosting Foods


James Colquhoun writes:

"Collagen can be easily described as the “glue” that holds our bodies together, being the primary component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in our body found in our muscles, bones, skin, tendons, hair and even the digestive system. 

Collagen is known to improve circulation, help heal leaky gut syndrome and relieve joint pain. What makes collagen most popular in the health and wellness space, and earning the nick-name as the ultimate “inside-out” beauty product, is its natural ability to reduce wrinkles, improve hair quality and the appearance of cellulite. Collagen is the natural version of the anti-aging cream that many are guilty of spending a little bit too much of their hard-earned money on, and as it turns out we don’t actually have to buy that $100 bottle of anti-aging cream, all we have to do is simply introduce more collagen-rich or collagen-boosting foods into our diets. 

We’ve done the research to find the top ten collagen boosting foods so you don’t have to spend those pretty pennies or put chemical-based creams on your face!

Why Do We Need Extra Collagen As We Age? 
As we age, the body’s collagen production naturally begins to decrease, evident in the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin and joint pains. Often, genetic defects, low intake of collagen-rich foods, nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems can impact the body’s ability to synthesize collagen. Additionally, lifestyle choices such as consuming high levels of sugar, smoking and extensive exposure to the sun can deplete collagen levels in the body and lead to premature aging. Luckily we there are natural ways to reduce collagen depletion and promote collagen production through specific foods and minerals. 

Four Foods That Are Naturally Collagen-Rich 
1. Bone Broth 
The highest concentrations of collagen in animal meats are found in the less appealing areas such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin and bones. While you might not want to have a chew on these parts, you can benefit from their rich source of bioavailable collagen by slow cooking them into a broth which is far more appealing and easily consumed. 
2. Spirulina 
For those that keep to a vegan diet, Spirulina is a great source of glycine, a key component of collagen, which can be easily consumed in a healthy green smoothie. 
3. Egg Whites 
Egg whites contain large amounts of proline, an amino acid necessary for collagen production, so you can get a great collagen fix first up for breakfast! When you eat the whole egg, not just the whites, you can benefit from all the nutrients and minerals this complete meal provides. 
4. Gelatine 
One of the top collagen-rich foods available, gelatin is a protein derived from collagen that can be used in cooking, mixed into soups, or added stews or broths for a nutrient boost. You could even make yourself a healthy sweet jelly/jello treat made from nutrient-rich gelatine that comes in a number of forms including powder and sheets. 

The Top Foods to Help Your Body Boost Collagen Production 
1. Kiwi Fruit 
Full of Vitamin C, Kiwi fruit helps the body to execute the pre-collagen production phase for your body to naturally generate more collagen
2. Berries 
Berries are also rich in Vitamin C, supporting collagen production, and they also contain Vitamin E and contain powerful antioxidants that help protect against the breakdown of existing collagen cells from toxins and prevent free radical damage. 
3. Almonds 
Almonds contain high levels of Vitamin E and copper, which supports collagen formation by partnering with Vitamin C and providing the essential trace elements needed in the final step of collagen synthesis. 
4. Carrots 
Responsible for repairing and restoring collagen in damaged skin is Vitamin A which comes in abundance in carrots and other orange vegetables and fruits (except orange!). 
5. Green Leafy Vegetables 
We all know that dark green, leafy vegetables are superfoods with so many benefits that we include them in almost every meal! When it comes to promoting collagen production, these superheroes of the plant world bring a trio of powers - Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E - which are all vital components of collagen synthesis. 
6. Oysters 
Being rich in zinc, oysters both stimulate collagen synthesis as well as slow down the rate of collagen cell breakdown in granulation tissue, enabling wounds to heal more quickly."
Above words and picture taken from article here 

Well I don't often eat oysters, but I do like green leafy vegetables and berries. 
Have you any favourites on this list?

A variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

41 comments:

Tom said...

...quite a diverse source.

Anonymous said...

That truly is amazing!

Valerie-Jael said...

Apart from oysters I like everything. Valerie

Elephant's Child said...

Berries and green leafy vegies float my boat. And almonds. Mmmm almonds.

Bill said...

Good info, thanks for sharing.

carol l mckenna said...

Great post and lists of foods to eat for the collagen ~

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Sandra said...

GREAT post, Jan. At least I do the Vit C, berries and almonds;)

mxtodis123 said...

I love these foods. Include blueberries every day.

happyone said...

Thanks for the list. Good to know.

DUTA said...

Kiwi is the only fruit that is not so friendly to my digestion. However, I don't give it up as it is full of vitamin C, so I slightly cook it with some other fruit, and the result is delicious.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment and thanks for your well wishes!
Hugs,
Debbie

Miss Val's Creations said...

Great information. I am getting a lot of leafy greens and almonds but it would not hurt to add more callogen rich foods to my diet. Less wrinkles as I grow older is a welcome thing!

Christine said...

I love fresh oysters but don't have them very often.

Louca por porcelana said...

Very interesting.I love carrots and kiwi fruit.Hugs,Jan.

kathyinozarks said...

great post thanks-I have been looking into adding bone broth, I will be 70 this fall so think it could be good for me

Debbie said...

i don't think i have ever eaten an oyster. good food...it is good to know they are good for us!!

Little Wandering Wren said...

Ohhh I'm in need of collagen for sure... not sure I'd go the oyster or the jelly root though, can do the rest :) :)

Lady Fi said...

I need to eat more of these collagen-boosting greens and fruit!

Linda said...

I drink a spirulina shake almost every morning . I like carrots!

Iris Flavia said...

Great advice, thank you!!!
As Hubby´s Dad uses to say, we can get old or just die. I choose to hopefully get old - healthy!

Margaret D said...

Most enjoyably to read.

mamasmercantile said...

Kiwis and carrots would be my favourites but we do eat leafy greens daily.

Emma said...

Thanks for the informative post, Jan. I'm anxious to maintain decent collagen levels. Emma

Aritha V. said...

Thank you so much. I am allergic for almonds and kiwi. But green leafy vegetables.... thanks, I'm going to buy something today: I think spinach.

Jo said...

This is a subject I know nothing about so this post was very interesting.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Great information and article. I like most of these foods. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

oh, did you have to bring up joint pain :(

DVArtist said...

Very good post. I do eat most of these foods. So hope I am on the right tract for this. Ohhh not the bone broth! LOL

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

I eat almonds every day for snacks, and blueberries and green leafy vegetables...I'm off to have some scrambled eggs just now. So many things I like to eat are good for people. How lucky is that.

Wild Oak Designs said...

Thanks for the info! I never knew....
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

Mary Kirkland said...

I eat a variety of these foods so it looks like I'm getting what I need to.

Snowbird said...

How intersting Jan. I love green leafy veggies.xxx

Phil Slade said...

Hi from Menorca. Some of our favourites there Jan. And we are having a fried egg each morning after our porridge and fruit, including kiwis.

William Kendall said...

Carrots and berries suit me.

DMS said...

I had no idea that some of these foods help our bodies produce collagen. Yeah! Great to know. :)

Thanks for sharing.
~Jess

Amy Purdy said...

I like all of those except for oysters.

Lorrie said...

We eat most of these things - excepting the oysters. I just haven't acquired a taste for those. Good to know that we're helping our aging bodies by eating well.

baili said...

outstanding read Jan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes my fav are egg and almond
thank you for wonderful blog my friend
God bless you!!!

Sue said...

Lots of lovely food there, but definitely no to the oysters! Have a good one, Sue x

Carol Blackburn said...

Probably a very good thing to eat these foods when losing weight to avoid so much sagging skin we so often get.

aman singh said...

Thank you for sharing this information. I hope you share more info on the same topic.collagen rich foods