Adding Collagen To Your Coffee, A Popular Trend Or A Powerful Boost To Your Health?
Protein coffee has become a popular trend, adding a scoop of powder to gain both grams (of protein) and inevitable creaminess.
But, not everyone likes the flavors associated with many protein powders, so perhaps this is why some have begun to use unflavored collagen in their brews?
Or, is this addition less about the 9 grams or so of protein per scoop and more about the incredible benefits collagen brings to your body?
Adding collagen to your coffee is simple. It doesn’t affect the taste of your brew, and frankly, as you age, you need it!
As we age, our bodies aren’t able to produce collagen the way they used to. We generally notice this decreased production in the mirror, you know dark spots, sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. This is why you’ve likely seen collagen advertised as a beauty product.
But, while your skin, hair, and nails certainly need collagen for optimal health, a lack of collagen can also affect joint pain, heart health, liver function, and much more!
So, today we’re looking at what collagen is, how it can benefit your health, and how this crucial protein can work in conjunction with coffee to boost those benefits!
As a bonus, be sure to stick around to the end where we’ll share a few recipes as well as some tips to ensure you’re not negating the healthy benefits of collagen with some popular coffee add-ins.
Collagen 101
Collagen is a protein, the most abundant source of protein in your body, to be exact!
Its structure is fibrous, and it is most abundantly found in your skin, bones, cartilage, connective tissues, tendons, and ligaments.
When I think of collagen and how it works in the body, I think of my niece. Your eyebrows are raised now. I get it. But, sit tight for a moment and let me explain.
My niece loves to make slime. And, typically, this odd, blob-like substance is made of glue, saline, baking soda, and water.
In this mixture, glue is the primary ingredient, holding the other components together, allowing them to essentially move as one.
Slime is soft and pliable. It can be stretched and pulled yet still retain its overall shape or structure.
Well, collagen is a lot like slime, this word actually meaning glue in Greek.
And, like glue, collagen can bind and hold things together. Collagen does this in your bones, tendons, and ligaments to provide structure.
But, also like the glue used in slime, collagen can provide flexibility or elasticity, allowing tissues to be stretched while ultimately retaining their shape, as it does in your skin, connective tissues, cartilage, and muscles.
Nearly 28 types of collagen have been identified by scientists, but the three most common make up 80-90% of what is found in your body: types I, II, and III.
Type I
This type of collagen is considered the strongest, and it’s great for supporting skin health as it is a building block of your skin.
Type I collagen is usually found in fish and bovine supplements (including powders) and features the amino acids: proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline.
These are the most abundant amino acids in collagen and they commonly end up in fibroblasts which are special types of cells within your skin and connective tissues. They also aid in the growth, maintenance, and repair of your body.
This type of collagen is a major component of your skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, gums, teeth, eyes, blood vessels, and organs.
Type II
This type of collagen is typically found in cartilage, the connective tissue protecting the ends of long bones at the joint.
Cartilage is also the substance that gives structure to your ears, nose, and rib cage.
Most type II collagen supplements come from chicken collagen, making chicken bone broth a great source of this type.
Type III
Type III collagen is often paired with type I collagen as these are often found in the same areas of the body.
This type of collagen specifically works together with type I collagen in your bones, bone marrow, cartilage, and connective tissues.
Type III collagen supplements are often derived from bovine collagen and they, like type I, support healthy skin.
While your body naturally produces collagen, there are some factors, such as sleep, nutrition, and sun exposure that affect this production.
However, the biggest hindrance to collagen production is age.
Unfortunately, the older we get, the less collagen our body produces.
You may recognize these typical indicators of diminished collagen:
- Reduction in skin elasticity resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin
- Aches and pains in joints as a result of a lack of collagen available to repair or rebuild cartilage
- Muscle pain or a decreased ability to recover from workouts due to a lack of collagen which typically aids in the repair of torn muscle fibers naturally experienced through exercise
- Gastrointestinal issues due to a lack of collagen available to repair the lining of the gut (a typical job of collagen)
- Slow wound healing as collagen isn’t available to aid in tissue repair
Adding collagen to your daily coffee routine can add to your body’s natural supply of collagen, which can stimulate more collagen production, a double win!
But, what happens to your overall health when you combine the powers of collagen and coffee?
The Health Benefits Of Collagen And Coffee
Coffee connoisseurs likely know this brew has powerful health benefits. But, did you know the antioxidant powers of coffee work directly to benefit collagen?
The antioxidants in coffee:
- Block enzymes that destroy collagen
- Boost collagen levels, typically types I and III
- Aid in the function of collagen within the body
- Increase the life of collagen
And, while these are impressive benefits alone, when you combine coffee and collagen, there are actually several areas of your body that benefit in an even greater capacity.
Liver Health
Coffee alone is a huge liver health aid.
When you drink coffee, as your body digests the caffeine, a chemical called paraxanthine is created which slows down the growth of scar tissue of the liver.
And, some of the antioxidants in coffee protect against liver cancer.
But, when you combine collagen, rich in amino acids, with coffee, this helps to protect your liver against the damage it can incur as it filters toxins from your body.
Glycine, one of the abundant amino acids in collagen, controls the production of cytokines in the liver, promoting healthy detoxification to keep your liver healthy and functioning properly.
Gastrointestinal Health
Coffee stimulates the production of hormones and acids that help to break down your food within your stomach. It also prompts the secretion of hormones that increase the production of bile, another needed substance in digestion.
Some coffees are demonized for causing digestive issues, and rightly so!
Coffee can contain molds and mycotoxins that wreak havoc on whole body health, but these especially affect your digestive tract.
And, coffee can be very acidic, another contributing cause of tummy issues.
Lifeboost coffee is not only low acid, almost as alkaline as water, but it’s also certified organic, grown without the use of any chemical pesticides or fertilizers, elevation grown, and 3rd party tested to ensure it is always free of any molds, mycotoxins, heavy metals, chemicals, and 400+ other toxins.
With Lifeboost coffee, you don’t have to worry about any of the harmful effects coffee normally has on the digestive system.
But, as an added bonus, when you combine a clean, healthy coffee with collagen, you also gain protection for the lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
Collagen protects the mucosal lining of your gut, ensuring your body properly absorbs needed nutrients throughout the digestive process, and preventing leaky gut, which is a key contributor to chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.
Joint Health
The antioxidant properties of coffee offer anti-inflammatory protection for your joints.
And, studies show the caffeine element of coffee offers relief for the physical and mental fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Collagen, on the other hand, is a major component of your joints, cartilage in particular.
The amino acids in collagen are crucial in the building and repair of the cartilage in your joints. And, studies show collagen supplements (including powders you can add to your coffee) help to reduce overall joint pain throughout all regions of the body.
Skin, Hair, And Nail Health
The amino acids in collagen nourish your skin, hair, and nails, renewing cells and giving these areas of your body needed elasticity and lubrication for flexibility. Essentially, collagen is what keeps these parts of your body healthy…and youthful!
But, for all coffee’s wonderful health benefits, can it work together with collagen here as well?
The short answer, yes!
Many people enjoy using coffee grounds as a face or body scrub to improve the health of their skin or scalp, but this practice doesn’t just provide exfoliation.
The nutrients and antioxidants in coffee, especially its polyphenol content, work to increase blood flow, balance pH, and boost levels of collagen in your skin to reduce premature aging in your cells.
Heart Health
Coffee has been proven to lower bad cholesterol, improve blood pressure, and reduce oxidative stress, with two to three cups consumed daily being associated with a reduced risk of both heart disease and dangerous heart rhythms.
Collagen on the other hand provides structure for your arteries, keeping a healthy flow of blood exiting your heart.
Supplementing with collagen has been proven to increase good cholesterol and reduce stiffness in the arteries.
Adding Collagen To Your Coffee
When looking for a collagen supplement, generally you will find collagen peptides.
Collagen peptides contain all the beneficial amino acids and nutrients as collagen, but they’ve been hydrolyzed, or broken down into shorter chains of proteins which allows them to be easily digested.
- This is better for your stomach.
- It helps them to dissolve easier in hot and cold liquids for convenient consumption.
- They have a greater bioavailability than regular collagen protein, meaning they are more easily absorbed into your bloodstream, so your body can fully utilize them.
But, what happens when you add collagen peptides to hot coffee?
Possibly one of the simplest ways to incorporate collagen into your diet is by adding collagen peptides to your morning cup of joe. But, many wonder if the collagen will become degraded due to the heat in a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
It is true that the structure of proteins can be altered when exposed to high heat.
Thankfully, most studies have shown collagen proteins do not begin to break down, or degrade, until exposed to temperatures at or exceeding 302 degrees Fahrenheit, with some research even concluding this degradation does not occur under 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most coffee is brewed at roughly 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning your collagen and coffee combo is completely safe (and still just as effective).
So then, what about cold or iced coffee? No worries here, either.
You can stir collagen into iced coffee, but the best way to ensure your collagen peptides get fully incorporated into your icy brew is to add the coffee and collagen to a shaker bottle (lid closed, of course), and shake to combine.
Or, if you want to make a frothy, iced brew, you can add cold coffee and collagen to a blender. Blend the collagen and coffee on high until combined and frothy, then add to a glass with ice.
One thing you do want to watch out for when adding collagen to your coffee is sugar.
Many folks like to add sugar or sugar-based syrups to their daily cup of joe, but sugar has negative effects on collagen. So basically, if you’re adding collagen to your coffee along with a large dose of sugar, you’re rendering the collagen ineffective.
Sugar destroys collagen, causing it to break down through what is known as cross-linking. This causes collagen, which is normally flexible, to become stiff. We notice this in our skin in the loss of elasticity.
Have you ever heard that sugar ages you? This is why.
The effects of sugar on collagen can be seen in our skin through an increase in dark spots, greater amounts of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging in the neck and chin areas.
So then, what about natural sweeteners?
Raw honey can add natural sweetness to your coffee without breaking down collagen. In fact, honey contains antioxidants that fight free radical damage, promote the production of collagen, and help keep your skin firm.
Pure maple syrup is another completely natural way to add sweetness to coffee without affecting collagen as this product of nature contains manganese, which helps build collagen.
Stevia, a popular natural sweetener that many use in place of regular sugar, has been shown to stop the process of glycation (where sugar binds to collagen, breaking it down), making it safe to use with collagen peptides.
Stevia also contains antioxidants that provide further benefits to our skin.
And, for those of you who prefer milk (dairy or non) in your coffee, this addition doesn't seem to affect collagen, with some experts even finding that dairy can enhance collagen production in the body. Of course, if you already avoid lactose, you can stick to non dairy.
If you’re looking for some simple and delicious ways to incorporate collagen into your daily cup of coffee, check out the following recipes!
Coffee-Collagen Recipes
1- Maple Cinnamon Collagen Coffee
Boost the health of your skin immensely with antioxidant rich coffee, anti-inflammatory cinnamon, elasticity promoting collagen, and collagen-building pure maple syrup. This delicious brew may just become your new morning go-to!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces freshly brewed Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ceylon cinnamon
- 1 scoop unflavored collagen peptides
- ⅓ cup milk of your choice (dairy or non)
Instructions
- Brew coffee into a medium sized mug. Stir in collagen.
- Add milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup to an electric frother and froth on the heat and froth setting. If you don’t have an electric frother, you can heat the milk separately, then add to a blender with the cinnamon and maple syrup, blending until frothy.
- Top your brew with the frothed milk mixture, and enjoy!
2- Creamy Blended Coffee
Honey is a natural antioxidant that works alongside collagen to bring great benefits to your skin. Combined with clean, healthy coffee, this tasty brew is a great way to reap whole body health rewards.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Light Roast Coffee
- 4 ounces unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons raw honey (local honey is best)
- 1 scoop unflavored collagen
- Ice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a tall glass, and enjoy!
*If you’d like to enjoy this brew on ice, instead of blending, add ice to a tall glass and set aside. Then, add the other ingredients to a shaker bottle or a mason jar, cover, and shake until combined. Pour over ice, and enjoy!
3- Stayin’ Simple
If you’ve never used collagen in your coffee, and you prefer your brew on the simple side, know that the addition of unflavored collagen shouldn’t change the taste of your brew. It does, however, allow you to absorb the benefits of collagen we’ve discussed here today.
So, if you’re simply looking to add collagen to your daily coffee:
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee
- 1 scoop unflavored collagen peptides
Instructions
- Brew coffee into your favorite mug.
- Stir in collagen and enjoy!
*If you prefer iced coffee, simply add the coffee and collagen to a shaker bottle or mason jar. Cover and shake until combined. Pour over ice and enjoy!
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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