Collagen Powder vs Pills: Which Is Better for My Daily Supplement?
When it comes to supplements like collagen, the numerous options can make it difficult to determine which one is right for you. With liquid collagen vs collagen powder vs pills, how do you even choose?
Today, we’ll help you answer that question.
If you’re just starting with collagen supplementation, you’re probably already at the first crossroads: What type of collagen should you take? To answer that, you need to understand the difference between collagen powder vs pills.
Out of all types of collagen, powder and pills make up the bulk of collagen supplements on the market today. But when examining collagen powder vs pills, which one is better as a daily supplement?
To understand what type of supplement is right for you, let’s go over what collagen is, why it's beneficial to your body, and the pros and cons of taking collagen powder vs pills so you can choose what's best for you.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein made naturally in our bodies. In fact, it’s the most abundant protein in the human body, making up one-third of all protein! That makes collagen protein vital for many of our everyday processes.
Our bodies use collagen to produce new tissues and strengthen our connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. This is why collagen is often referred to as the “glue” that holds the cells of our bodies together. Collagen can be found in our skin, bones, muscles, and more!
Overall, collagen is responsible for keeping our tissues strong by helping to maintain their shape and structure. It’s also responsible for helping our skin look plump, youthful, and healthy.
As we get older, our body’s ability to produce collagen decreases. This can lead to a loss of skin elasticity and a decrease in bone density - among other issues.
So, is it safe to take collagen supplements to keep your collagen levels high as you age? The answer is a big YES!
Many studies have shown that taking collagen supplements is both safe and effective. It’s actually important to supplement with collagen as you age, so that you can effectively battle the aches and pains the decades bring with them.
But what are the benefits of collagen supplementation exactly? And do those benefits differ regarding collagen powder vs pills? Let’s take a look at how this powerful supplement can improve your wellbeing.
What are the benefits of collagen supplementation?
Collagen protein benefits way more than just your skin. Throughout the body, collagen supports the structure and integrity of your bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Collagen also helps maintain healthy blood vessels, which are vital for good health.
When you take collagen supplements, you’re improving your whole body by strengthening your connective tissue and providing structure where needed. A few benefits of collagen supplementation include that:
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Collagen may improve joint health: Joint pain is one of the first signs of aging. Luckily, studies have shown that collagen supplements may help maintain or improve the function of joints such as the spine, hips, and knees - allowing you to move easier and feel better while you do it.
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Collagen may tighten skin and reduce wrinkles: Collagen is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and improve skin tone. Taken over time, it may even help to repair damaged tissue in the skin, giving you a more youthful look.
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Collagen may reduce bone loss: After the age of 50, the amount of bone degeneration begins to outpace bone formation. This can be a significant problem, especially for older women going through menopause. Studies have shown collagen may reduce bone loss, allowing bones to continue growing strong.
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Collagen may increase energy levels: If you’ve found yourself low on energy lately, you’re not alone. Many adults in their 50s, 60s, and above often report having lower energy levels than before, usually due to the bone and muscle loss that comes with aging. Collagen may increase your energy levels by promoting better sleeping habits – allowing for more energy the next day.
- Collagen may promote heart health: Aging can cause many changes in the heart. As a result, you are at a higher risk for heart issues such as heart failure or arteriosclerosis. Collagen may improve heart health by providing structure and decreasing stiffness in arteries.
- Collagen may speed up wound healing: As we age, many report noticing that wounds and injuries begin to take a longer time to heal. Longer wound healing can mean more time spent away from doing the things you love – something that none of us would like to happen. Thankfully, collagen’s role in wound healing has been well studied and shows that collagen may speed up the body’s natural wound healing process.
- Collagen may improve gut health: Gut issues can affect people of all ages, but they can be particularly hard on those over 50. With most stomach issues, the gut’s lining is often damaged, resulting in pain and difficulties with digestion. This may be improved by taking collagen for gut health.
- Collagen may reduce hair loss: Almost everyone will experience some type of hair loss as they age. Finding extra hair in the shower or sink can cause anxiety, especially if it happens often. So does collagen help hair loss? It just might! Collagen may reduce hair loss by strengthening hair follicles and preventing breakage.
- Collagen may promote weight loss: The older you get, the more you have to prioritize staying healthy and mobile along with losing weight. As it turns out, collagen may help you with both! Collagen may assist with energy levels, fat burning, and the feeling of satiety - which means using collagen for weight loss is a real possibility.
From faster wound healing to improved injury prevention, there are so many potential collagen protein benefits. But when deciding between collagen powder vs pills, do these supplements benefit you differently?
Collagen powder vs pills: the key differences
There are a few different ways to take collagen supplements, but the two most popular are collagen powder vs pills.
With supplements in general, people usually choose pills because they offer convenience. Collagen pills can come in tablets or capsules and offer a quick and straightforward way to get your daily supplement.
When it comes to collagen peptide protein supplementation, however, powder has gained tons of popularity thanks to the variety it provides. Like any other protein powder, collagen powder comes in many different flavors, serving sizes, and mixing options.
Whether you drink your collagen protein plain with water, or throw it in a fruit smoothie, collagen powder allows you to choose exactly how you want your daily collagen supplement. But let’s compare how the benefits of collagen powder vs pills break down:
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Ingredients: Collagen supplements are not FDA regulated, so it’s important to know how to read a nutrition label to ensure your supplement is good for you. Collagen pills and powders SHOULD contain similar ingredients, but may contain unwanted additives and sugars.
You may also find that your pill is a blend of collagen and other vitamins and supplements. If that’s the case, you need to make sure you are getting an adequate amount of collagen based on the suggested serving size.
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Absorption: When comparing the absorption of collagen pills vs powder, powder is easier to digest. That’s because it's in its direct form, as opposed to pressed into a tablet, or enclosed inside a casing.
That being said, if the absorption speed isn’t too important to you, and you don’t have a sensitive stomach, the form of collagen pills vs powder shouldn’t matter much.
- Taste: When comparing the taste of collagen powder vs pills, some people prefer the tasteless pills. Luckily, if you don’t like the taste of unflavored collagen powder, you can find it in a bunch of tasty flavors like berry or vanilla.
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Dosage: One of the most significant differences between collagen powder vs pills is the dosage per serving. One scoop of collagen powder can give you several grams of collagen, while it would take an inconvenient amount of pills to match that exact dosage.
If you really want to get the most out of your collagen supplement, you might need to take 6 or more collagen pills a day, which is inconvenient and potentially quite costly.
- Cost: At first, the slightly higher price of collagen powder vs pills might make you think it's more expensive. However, one case of collagen powder lasts longer and has more servings than pills!
- Experience: When comparing collagen powder vs pills, one significant aspect is to consider how you want your experience to be.
Collagen pills can be quickly popped back with water, but might require multiple doses per day. With collagen powder, on the other hand, there are many ways to consume it: in food, drinks, and even on its own with water. You can get all your daily collagen from a single serving.
Choosing the best collagen supplement for you
So, collagen powder vs pills: Which is better?
Regarding collagen supplements, we've found a noticeable difference between collagen powder and pills. Collagen powder can be more easily digested than pills.
While comparing collagen powders vs pills, collagen powder appears to be the most popular choice for people looking to increase their collagen levels with daily supplementation.
When it comes to collagen powder vs pills, it may be easier to tailor the experience, dosage, and taste preferences with collagen powder. Collagen is easy to take in powder form, and can be mixed into anything from smoothies to yogurt and coffee.
Additionally, collagen powder can be eaten on its own with water or added to other foods as a flavor enhancer. This makes it an ideal addition for anyone looking for a healthy, tasty way to boost their intake of this essential protein.
On the other hand, pills can make taking collagen a quick and simple process. If mixing collagen powder seems like a hassle, and pills don’t seem right for you, liquid collagen may also be an option.
Overall, comparing collagen powder vs pills comes down to what you're willing to spend, how you live your life, and what you're comfortable consuming. But between collagen pills vs powder, we think collagen powder has the upper hand.
Collagen powder provides more flexibility for those who like to customize their diet, and is more easily digestible. While this doesn’t mean that all powders are created equal, there are many brands that produce very high-quality, affordable collagen powder products.
The best collagen powder on the market
Collagen powder comes in many forms, but it’s important to look for hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen peptides. Hydrolyzed collagen has undergone the chemical process of hydrolysis to make it more bioavailable and easily digestible.
ProT Gold collagen powder has not only been hydrolyzed, it has been nano-hydrolyzed. That means it has undergone the process of hydrolysis more than once, breaking the collagen protein molecule down to 1% of its original size.
This bioavailable formula is easy to digest in just 15 minutes. What’s more, ProT Gold is actually a medical-grade collagen. This means it is regulated by the FDA, overseen by medical professionals, and certified safe to use in medical nutrition.
In fact, almost 4,000 medical facilities across the United States have chosen ProT Gold collagen protein when it comes to the health of their patients. If you are looking for a trustworthy, hard-hitting, and convenient collagen supplement - look no further than ProT Gold collagen powder.