Can taking collagen cause weight gain?
One of our most asked questions at Absolute Collagen is: can taking collagen cause weight gain?
There have been many studies, so let's make the science simple and take a look at collagen’s impact.
Firstly, can taking collagen cause weight gain?
Collagen can help increase good weight gain, such as increased muscle mass when we expand our training plan.
However, what is the impact on negative weight gain, such as fat gains?
The answer is that collagen will overwhelmingly limit negative weight gain because of its unique protein structure.
Are collagen supplements important?
Collagen supplements have many benefits for your body, making it one of the most important supplements you should be taking.
Even though the body naturally produces collagen, studies show that in western diets we tend not to replenish this important protein. This is especially true as begin to age, when our collagen levels naturally start to deplete.
Collagen peptides have been shown to have a really positive impact on obesity when taken as a regular supplement.
Regular collagen supplements also decrease fat gain and improve the body’s ability to balance its calorie intake.
Do proteins increase weight gain?
Proteins are well known for their impact on weight, but do they cause weight gain or weight loss?
Collagen is an impressive protein with a unique amino acid structure designed to limit bloating and body fat storage.
It is able to do this because true collagen has no additives that might include calories, either in the form of carbohydrates or fats.
Collagen’s special protein structure makes sure that taking it does not cause you to gain excess weight.
Do proteins increase appetite?
Let’s move on to the impact on appetite. There are some important contributions that collagen can make here, but pivotally the impact on increasing your appetite will not be one of them. In fact the opposite is true.
So can taking collagen cause weight gain? No! Unlike other types of protein supplements out there, the protein peptides in collagen are proven to be more satiating.
They keep you feeling fuller for longer – meaning you’ll snack less throughout the day.
This has a really positive impact on your appetite when taking collagen. In other words, collagen can work to decrease your appetite, making it more likely that your weight loss will continue. It has also been shown to suppress appetite.
What about muscle mass?
Ageing, in particular, can cause you to lose muscle mass and replace this with fat gains.
Research shows that taking collagen can be efficient in ensuring fat gains are not increased.
It is also very beneficial in meeting our increased protein dietary needs as we begin to age.
All of this shows that taking collagen is only going to increase the amount of muscle mass, rather than fat gain.
In addition to this, an increase in muscle mass will inevitably lead to a decrease in weight, since muscle mass can help the body to burn calories more quickly.
Will collagen improve my workout?
Collagen supplements have been shown to have a positive impact on the recovery phase of your workout.
Collagen, when added to a regular and balanced diet, increases the levels of the amino acid arginine in your body.
This amino acid evolves into nitric oxide, which increases the relaxing of blood vessels and improves circulation.
This results in a faster recovery time, which is key to building strength. But what does all of this means for weight loss? And can taking collagen cause weight gain?
The experts know that a fundamental step in losing weight is improving strength and muscle mass, because muscle mass speeds up the rate at which your body burns calories.
When the calories are burned faster, you will lose weight rather than gain it.
Are there other benefits?
There are countless other benefits of taking collagen. Let’s focus on the most prominent: your skin.
Your skin is the biggest organ in your body and collagen has a massive impact on it.
Not only does it keep your skin hydrated and glowing, it also prevents wrinkles and sagging skin.
A daily dose of collagen improves elasticity, which supports a stronger dermis layer and ultimately helps to prevent cellulite.
What does the science say?
Science is quickly catching on to the unique structure of collagen and its health benefits.
Research has shown that female patients who supplement with collagen show improved nitrogen balance as well as better preservation of lean muscle mass.
In addition, clinical studies have discovered that by following regular use of collagen supplements, patients show a decreased consumption of calories.
The weight loss that follows in these patients also lasts longer than those patients who are taking alternative protein supplements.
Those who take collagen show increased weight loss, rather than weight gain.
So what’s the verdict: Can taking collagen cause weight gain?
The search for a protein that improves weight loss is over.
The experts choose collagen because it has a radical impact on the body’s ability to sustain weight loss.
It increases satiety, having a positive effect on appetite and aiding your ability to stick to your meal plans.
Collagen is unique in having a minimising impact on the body’s ageing process. Collagen has even been shown to reverse how your body gets rid of fat.
The science is overwhelmingly positive: collagen doesn’t cause weight gain. In fact – it does the opposite.
Get your daily dose of collagen with our ready-mixed collagen sachets. Each sachet contains 8 grams of collagen, 7.7 grams of protein and just 32 calories.
Mix it into your morning smoothie or simply take it straight from the sachet and you’ll notice a massive difference in your hair, skin, nails and overall body.