The benefits of collagen may be more popular as an ingredient in skin care products. In fact, collagen still has many other benefits that are no less important for health, such as relieving joint pain and supporting heart health.
Collagen is a natural protein in the body that is abundant and is found in skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, with age, the amount of collagen in the body can decrease.
In order to maintain the amount of collagen, you can get it through food, such as beef bone marrow or chicken feet, or take collagen supplements. This is done so that the benefits of collagen for health can still be felt.
Recognize the Various Benefits of Collagen
There are at least five main benefits of collagen in supporting body health, including the following:
1. Tighten skin and prevent aging
There is nothing wrong with associating the benefits of collagen with skin health. Many studies have proven that collagen has benefits in helping to tighten the skin, prevent premature aging, while reducing dry skin and wrinkles. Collagen also plays an important role in the wound healing process.
As you get older, it is recommended that you always increase your intake of foods that contain collagen, such as meat, fish, green vegetables, milk and eggs. In addition, you can also take collagen supplements as recommended by your doctor. You can also get certain beauty treatments, such as collagen injections, facelift, or implant threads, to increase the amount of collagen in the face.
2. Reduce cellulite
Cellulite is a term that describes the condition of bumpy skin with small, orange-peel-like dimples that usually appear on the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. This condition is more common in women than men.
In one study, it was found that taking supplements containing collagen can help reduce cellulite. However, this still requires further research.
3. Increase muscle mass
Besides being known to play an important role in maintaining healthy skin, the benefits of collagen are also a major component in the development of muscle tissue. Increasing the intake of collagen will be beneficial in maintaining and increasing muscle mass.
The results of a study show collagen supplements can increase muscle strength for patients sarcopenia or the condition of loss of muscle mass due to the aging process, which is common in the elderly.
4. Relieves joint pain
When the amount of collagen in your body decreases with age, the risk osteoarthritis will increase. Several studies have shown that people who increase their intake of collagen can reduce symptoms osteoarthritis and reduce joint pain overall.
Other studies suggest that increasing collagen intake through supplement tablets can help relieve the condition osteoarthritis, although this still requires further research.
5. Supports heart health
Collagen has a big role in the health of your blood vessels. Without enough collagen, blood vessels can become stiff, weak, or brittle. This can increase the risk of atherosclerosis which is the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
In addition to some of the benefits of collagen above, there are various other benefits of collagen, such as increasing nail strength, stimulating hair growth, and supporting gut health.
You can get various benefits of collagen for health by eating foods that are high in collagen content and supplements of collagen or vitamin C. In the skin, the amount of collagen can be increased with certain skin treatments, such as HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) or lasers.
But before you take collagen supplements, it's a good idea to first consult the right supplement choice with your doctor.