What is collagen?

Our body is able to synthesize collagen , starting from the amino acids that compose it, which however must be taken with the diet. 

About 42 distinct types of collagen have been identified , each of which has a specific location in the body; although all collagens differ in some structural aspects and tissue distribution, all collagens are trimeric proteins made from three polypeptides.

To better understand what collagen is, we can assimilate it to animal gelatin , the one that forms in a broth after cooling, or that we find in numerous dishes based on proteins of animal origin .

The main problem lies in the fact that collagen is a complex protein of quite “large” dimensions , this leads to a real difficulty in digestion. In addition to this, very often in the daily diet we do not consume sufficient quantities of foods of animal origin, specifically meat or fish. 

It must also be considered that in foods in which collagen is present in massive quantities, such as beef, it is more difficult to digest : our digestive system is unable to break down all the proteins that constitute it, to assimilate them into proper way. 

For this reason it is much better to enrich our diet with fish , such as sea bass or cod, rather than beef, if our intent is to increase the amount of collagen available. 

In practice, having greater quantities of proline , glycine and hydroxyproline available favors the synthesis of collagen. 

Collagen water

There are currently many companies on the market that have decided to create a line of ” collagen water ” of different flavors. But is it really as useful as it sounds? 

In fact, the aforementioned effects (protection from oxidative stress and maintenance of the physiological state of the skin) are scientifically recognized and authorized at European level only for the zinc , present in the product. 

For collagen (which is highlighted on these products), however, the European Commission has not given any authorization to slogans that link beneficial effects in maintaining the structure and elasticity of the skin to the intake of collagen . 

To date, there is no scientific evidence to support the fact that dietary collagen intake can benefit the skin in any way . No claims have even been authorized that attribute to collagen the property of giving strength, flexibility and support to the connective tissues of the skin. 

Even the addition of zinc to these waters does not have a logical connection, since this mineral is already present in many foods in our diet . 

We find it in fresh and processed meats, eggs, fish products, milk and derivatives, but also in dried legumes, nuts  and some cereals (wheat, corn, parboiled rice). There is therefore no need to add it to a drink . 
In order to maintain a radiant and luminous skin, it is therefore not necessary to invest a capital on the purchase of “miraculous” waters. It is sufficient to keep properly hydrated with a daily consumption of at least 2.0 L of water , which allows you to prevent states of dryness and skin peeling, and promotes diuresis with the elimination of toxins and harmful cellular metabolites.