Collagen is a structural protein in the body. Hair, nails, skin, muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, and organs are made of collagen.
The body produces collagen and also gets it from foodbut as we age, the body gradually loses the ability to replenish it.
Collagen supplements are generally made up of collagen peptides, which are smaller units of collagen protein for better absorption and utilization. Collagen peptides supplements have become a popular choice to help the body better absorb collagen, look younger, and support joint and intestinal health.
This article mentions why it might be a good idea Start your day by adding collagen to your cup of coffee.
Hair, nails, skin, muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, and organs are made of collagen.
What is collagen?
There is 28 different types of collagen in the human bodyand about 80-90% of the collagen in the body is types I, II, III, IV and V, which are organized as follows:
- Type I is found in tendons and bones and forms the structure of organs.
- Type II is found in cartilage.
- Type III is found in tissues that help support many organs, such as the fascia that covers muscles or various organs.
- Type IV forms the basis of the organs.
- Type V is a very strong type of collagen that makes up hair and nails.
Collagen protein is made up of long fibers that serve as the foundation and support structure on which cells sit. This basis is called basement membrane. The better organized the collagen fibers are, the stronger the structure.
With the age, the amount of collagen decreases and its organization becomes more chaotic. This is what causes the appearance of wrinkles with age or a decrease in the flexibility of the joints. Collagen protein is also called collagen peptides.
Do not forget that the body itself produces the collagen it needs. However, to have enough collagen, you must consume a lot of vitamin C, since it is necessary for the synthesis of this substance. According to a scientific review published in The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicinevitamin C supplements may speed bone healing after fractures by promoting collagen synthesis.
Adding collagen to coffee
Collagen protein has a neutral taste. That’s why many manufacturers produce various powders, including coffee creamers, that can make your morning cup of joe even healthier.
Scientists have found that drinking coffee has many potential health benefits, including increased antioxidants, improved memory, and lowering blood sugar levels. However, it must be remembered that each body is different, and the quantity of coffee daily as well as its quality must be considered separately.
Adding collagen to coffee sounds like a great idea, but you have to consider the ideal temperature at which collagen and protein remain viable. The temperature at which collagen starts to break down is slightly higher than body temperature, i.e. 37°C, and protein breakdown begins even at 36°C. This may seem counterintuitive, since a structural protein should have an equilibrium temperature just below body temperature. But it’s such a natural way for the body to constantly rebuild this protein since it’s under constant stress day after day.
How to make the perfect cup of collagen-infused coffee
So, should you add collagen to coffee? To prepare the perfect cup of coffee, the water temperature must be between 90.5 and 96.1 °C. This is more than twice the temperature at which collagen protein is stable, and at these high temperatures, the protein begins to denature, or cook. Imagine a raw egg that has fallen into a frying pan.
Although it is still an egg, the protein has changed and cannot return to its original structure. The same goes for collagen. Therefore, if you want to reap the full benefits of collagen peptides and coffee, it is recommended to drink the coffee cold to maintain the structural integrity of the collagen. You can also add collagen to foods like smoothies, yogurt, fruit salads, or protein shakes.
The perfect combination
Collagen protein and coffee together are very beneficial for health. Don’t forget that to get the maximum benefit from collagen peptides, you should consume them in drinks or food that are colder than body temperature.