9 min
When should you take collagen?
Table of Contents
True guardian of our joints and undisputed skin support, collagen has nothing more to prove and has become a staple for maintaining plump skin and flexible joints.
But when to take collagen to get the most out of it? Breakfast, afternoon, or evening, what's the ideal time to enjoy its benefits?
If these questions speak to you, this article is for you. The cherry on the cake, we share all our tips to maximize the effectiveness of collagen. Let's go!
Back to basics: the benefits of collagen
Before knowing when to take collagen, a little reminder is necessary.
What is collagen? 🤔 It's a protein, and not just any protein!
It's THE most abundant protein in our body. Collagen is essential for the structure of the skin, bones, muscles, and tendons.
Its main function is to ensure resistance to stretching while maintaining the flexibility and elasticity of these tissues. To keep your skin smooth as a baby's and your joints functional, collagen might well become your best ally.
Good to know: taking collagen helps to stimulate the production of collagen present in the skin. Indeed, after digestion, collagen will provide amino acids, which can enter into the synthesis of collagen by the body. A real boost we'd be wrong to miss out on. 👌🏽
Shall we take a closer look?
Skin Support
Collagen is one of the best-kept secrets for glowing skin, and its current popularity is due to the wonders it performs on the skin: it composes the dermis, the deep layer of the skin, helps to maintain its hydration while contributing to its firmness and tone.
Regular intake of collagen thus helps to maintain skin elasticity and hydration (study supported), thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and promoting a glowing complexion.
Pssst: good for the skin often means good for hair and nails!
Yes, collagen also takes care of our hair and helps to have strong nails! Indeed, in addition to being a component of the skin, collagen is also found in our hair and nails.
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Support for Joints and Bones
By supporting the structure of the cartilage, collagen can help relieve joint discomfort and improve mobility.
And it doesn't stop there! It also promotes bone well-being by ensuring its proper functionality.
💡 To not miss out on the benefits of collagen, we invite you to discover our complete guide on collagen, a little gem of information that will answer all your questions.
When to take collagen: morning or evening?
Let's get back to the point. When to take collagen?
Morning? Evening? On an empty stomach or with food?
Well, it's not really a competition between the morning team and the evening team, but rather a question of optimizing the effects. The answer is not as clear-cut as one might think. It actually depends on your personal preferences.
Whether you wish to: start your day with a dose of collagen for optimal assimilation or prefer maximum absorption at night, the ideal time to integrate collagen into your daily routine entirely depends on your habits and schedule.
Similarly, taking collagen on an empty stomach or in the middle of a meal will have little impact on its assimilation.
On an empty stomach in the morning
Why not! Taking collagen on an empty stomach in the morning offers several benefits. First of all, it allows for good nutrient absorption, as the stomach is empty and the digestion of proteins (including collagen) will be optimal.
Rest assured, taking collagen on an empty stomach does not cause digestive disorders. 😉
The collagen powder is the perfect guest at the breakfast table: 3 scoops in your favorite morning beverage (coffee, juice, smoothie, tea...) and you're all set!
Opting for collagen intake in the morning also has the advantage of establishing a morning routine, an easy-to-follow little ritual to avoid forgetting your supplement!
At bedtime in the evening
Between us, it's not always easy to cover your protein needs throughout the day. Opting for collagen intake in the evening can thus fill your daily intake with an additional protein supply, especially ideal if it has been too low during the day.
Moreover, taking collagen in the evening can be a good way to not forget your intake and to create a routine, whether it's after your meal for example, or just before brushing your teeth!
The ideal time for athletes: after training
When to take collagen as an athlete? After training, of course! 🏋🏼
Collagen provides the essential amino acids involved in muscle reconstruction, thus contributing to the recovery process after exercise.
Moreover, studies have shown that collagen could support joints and reduce the risk of premature deterioration, and that's really something athletes shouldn’t pass up! 😌
By integrating collagen into a post-workout routine, our athletic friends can maximize the benefits of their session, promote effective sports recovery and support their performance and long-term well-being.
The tasty idea? 😋 Mix your dose of collagen powder with your post-workout drink: often, a protein smoothie or an antioxidant beverage.
Now that we know when to take collagen, we'll share our best tips to maximize its effects!
Tips to Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Collagen Regimen
Here are some tips to optimize your collagen cure and enhance its benefits:
Opt for Hydrolyzed Collagen
The hydrolyzed (fragmented) form of collagen is particularly interesting because it is, simply put, “pre-digested,” meaning that the collagen is more rapidly absorbed and assimilated by the body.
Opt for hydrolyzed collagen supplements for maximum bioavailability.
Collagen + Vitamin C = The Winning Duo
Did you know? Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen in the body.
By consuming your collagen supplement with a food rich in vitamin C or a supplement of it, you promote better absorption and use of collagen by your body.
If you're a fan of taking collagen in the morning, a practical solution is to mix your vitamin C and your collagen in a glass of water or fruit juice. Collagen also withstands the heat of your beverages (tea, coffee) where however vitamin C often fares less well...
Finally, if you choose to supplement with collagen for its benefits on the joints, know that collagen and vitamin C form an undeniable duo!
Vitamin C is said to accelerate bone healing after a fracture and stimulates collagen synthesis.
Adopt a balanced diet
A diet rich in proteins, amino acids, and essential nutrients supports the well-being of the skin, joints, and bones. Make sure to include in your diet high-quality protein sources, colorful vegetables and fruits, as well as healthy fats to optimize the effects of your collagen cure.
Take care of your skin from the outside
A diet rich in proteins, amino acids, and essential nutrients supports the well-being of the skin, joints, and bones. Make sure to include in your diet quality protein sources, colorful vegetables and fruits, as well as healthy fats to optimize the effects of your collagen cure.
This advice is for you if your collagen cure aims to improve the condition of your skin.
In addition to your collagen, adopt a skin care routine tailored to your needs. To take care of your complexion, don't limit yourself to collagen, also activate skincare mode! 🪄
How long should you take collagen?
Knowing when to take collagen is good, but knowing the ideal duration of a cure is better! It's okay to integrate collagen into your routine, but for how long? We'll tell you everything.
Ideal Duration of the Cure
Ideally, it is recommended to follow a collagen cure for at least 3 months to observe significant results. The duration of your cure will depend on the goal to be achieved:
- For the beauty of the skin, a 3-month cure will be sufficient.
- In case of joint discomforts, it is preferable to aim for a cure of more than 3 months.
Rest assured, the first effects will be felt from the first month! 😉
Renewal of the Cure
After the first collagen cure, you can consider renewing it based on your needs and the results obtained. Some people choose to undergo regular collagen cures, continuously or at regular intervals, to maintain the benefits in the long term.
Ultimately, incorporating collagen intake into your daily life, whether by mixing your dose with your coffee or taking your capsules before going to bed, quickly becomes a habit.
Consequence: you'll soon want to renew your cure! 😆
In Summary
In response to the question of when to take collagen, the conclusion is simple: the ideal time is the one you choose!
With this article, we understand that to know when to take collagen, just follow what suits us best.
Whether it's in the morning, at noon, after training, or in the evening, the essential thing is to incorporate collagen into a daily routine.
By developing good habits, choosing the right combinations, and staying consistent over time, you can fully enjoy all the benefits of collagen.
Don't wait to make this protein your ally in beauty and well-being! 💫
Eloïse Dubois-Gaché
Naturopath and certified by FENA
Thanks to her solid experience working in various herbalist shops, Eloïse includes, if necessary, comprehensive and precise advice on phytotherapy, aromatherapy, gemmotherapy, and micronutrition when setting up a personalized lifestyle program tailored to each individual.
