Last updated on June 6th, 2023 at 06:34 pm
What Is Collagen
Collagen provides a foundation for your bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is the richest protein in the human body and plays many roles in your anatomy and physiology. Collagen indeed has become a widely used supplement to support healthy hair, skin, and nails, relieve digestive issues, build muscle mass, boost the immune system, and reduce joint pain. Let’s dive in to know more about How to Use Collagen Powder.
As Collagen boosts the immune system, it is also found in the cartilage surrounding your joints, digestive system, skin, and gums. Moreover, collagen holds together the various parts of your body, building structure and strength. Without it, your body would lack structure. Collagen is a rich source of essential amino acids. Amino acids are the body’s building blocks to build new proteins. The body cannot make important amino acids by itself and must ingest them through food or supplements. Supplying your body with these important amino acids can gather the proteins it needs for optimal function.
Collagen is healthy and can be found in powder form is the most common type of collagen supplement and has no identified taste. Collagen protein, also called gelatin, is made by cooking and drying collagen, which is then turned into a powder. Adding collagen protein to cold liquids causes it to gel. This property allows collagen protein to replace thickeners in soups, broths, and gravies. To add extra protein, you can add it to other dishes, such as omelets or desserts.
Collagen Peptides
For those with gluten sensitivities or allergies, collagen protein is a no-gluten thickener. Alternatively, there are collagen peptides. Collagen peptides go through a different process than collagen proteins. The essential amino acids are broken down, which is said to help with digestion. Collagen peptide powder does not gel when mixed with liquid but blends easily with hot and cold liquids. You can add collagen peptides to water, juice, smoothies, baking, tea, and coffee.
Using Collagen Powder In Your Meals
Collagen powder can be added to almost any meal. You may choose either collagen protein or peptides which depends on your desired result. Collagen’s nutritional profile does not change at high temperatures, making it safe to cook and bake with. Heating collagen will not damage the collagen or remove its nutritional value. If you want to add collagen powder to a specific recipe, lots of recipes online include collagen powder in the ingredient list.
1. Cooking
You can use collagen protein as a healthy thickener in various recipes. Generally, the best form of collagen powder to cook is collagen protein, which gels when added to liquid. Cooking with collagen protein is as easy as mixing the protein with a hot liquid until it breaks down, then letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to cool. You can add the mixture as a thickener to gravies, soups, homemade gummy candies, jello, pudding, or marshmallows.
Moreover, you can also add collagen peptides to salad dressings, sauces, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and pretty much anything because they will not gelatinize. Adding collagen in peptide form will not rapidly change the texture of the substance, but it may slightly thicken it.
2. Baking
You can use collagen protein instead of an egg. Mix 1 tablespoon of collagen protein with three tablespoons of hot water. Use this mixture in place of 1-2 eggs. Collagen peptides, which do not gel with liquid, do not change the texture when added to recipes. You can also throw some into your batter when making muffins, brownies, protein bars, and more.
3. Drinking
Collagen peptides mix well with liquids, so you can add them to any drink. Add a serving to your juice, smoothie, or protein shake. Due to the amino acids (protein) in collagen powder, you can even use it instead of protein powder.
Add collagen to your daily meals to help boost your protein levels or promote better overall health. Using collagen powder is quick and easy and provides important nutrients that will help your body function at its best. It truly couldn’t be easier to supplement your diet.
Find out lots of ways to use collagen to look younger at the same time improve your health. Check out our Guide to Collagen now!
Rick Kaselj MS, is a leading kinesiologist and injury specialist as well as co-creator of the best-selling Unlock Your Hip Flexors program. Rick creates exercise programs that help people heal injuries and eliminate pain, so they can go back to living a full, active, healthy life.
