Collagen-boosting foods
Follow these tips to naturally boost your supply of collagen, which plays a big role in glowing skin, shiny hair and strong nails.
Lean protein
Collagen is the most abundant type of protein in the body, primarily tasked with keeping skin, hair and nails strong and healthy. To ensure there’s always enough, the body uses protein from food sources as the building blocks to make more. “The protein we eat is broken down into amino acids during digestion, which is then reassembled into collagen,” says dietitian, Libby Mills. Fill your plate with lean proteins like chicken breast, turkey or pork.
Green peas
Vegetables aren’t typically the highest sources of protein, unless you’re talking about the tiny but mighty green pea, which boasts nearly eight grams in just one cup. If you don’t like them on their own, try throwing some on a salad, adding to soup, or blending with fresh herbs to create a pesto you can toss with pasta.
Quinoa
Just one cup of this ancient grain delivers more than eight grams of collagen-supportive protein and a bit of zinc, a mineral that assists with the amino acid-to-collagen transformation. “Zinc and copper help those protein amino acids to become collagen,” says Mills.
Check out these age-defying foods everyone over 50 should probably be eating.
Capsicums
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C make it an essential component of collagen production; capsicums, particularly the red ones, are a good source of it. Collagen helps the skin maintain hydration and elasticity, which can help fight signs of ageing such as fine lines or wrinkles.
Don’t miss these anti-ageing treatments doctors actually use.
Carrots
“We want the collagen being made to be reproduced exactly as it should be, and vitamin A plays a role in that,” says Mills. Carrots are a good source – eat them on their own, add to a salad, or blend with chickpeas (another good source of protein) to make a hummus.
Beef
“Buying meats that have a little tougher cut, like chuck or rump roast, will give you a little more natural collagen breakdown in your food,” says dietitian, Marisa Moore.
Oysters
Whether fresh or canned, oysters are rich in copper, another mineral that plays a role in collagen production. “Over time, we may not make collagen as well or in as large quantities, or it may break down faster than before – eating to support its production can help reduce that degradation,” says Mills.
Leafy greens
Dark leafy greens including spinach, kale, mustard greens and Swiss chard, contain a collagen-boosting trifecta of vitamins A and C and zinc.
Chia
Chia seeds are packed with protein, despite their minuscule size. Use as a yoghurt topping or create a healthier dessert by making a pudding or parfait.
Apricot
This sweet orange fruit is high in vitamin A, a building block of collagen. Enjoy them raw or dried.
Chickpeas
This legume contains many of the components that support collagen production – protein, vitamins C and A, zinc and thiamine. “Thiamine is a vitamin that’s very important for collagen production because it helps break down protein,” says Mills. The B-vitamin also aids in skin revitalisation and wound healing. Snack your way to healthier skin by keeping chickpea hummus on hand.
Bone broth
Bones and cartilage from animals like chicken or cows are a goldmine of both protein and natural collagen. Look for brands that use as few ingredients as possible and specify which parts of the animal is used, such as the knuckle or knee joints.
Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!
Source: RD.com