Collagen protein vs whey: Which is best for fitness and muscle recovery?

Studies have shown that high levels of protein intake can really aid muscle recovery and cell damage caused by any form of intense exercise. 

You can take the additional proteins before, during or after exercise sessions and they will prove beneficial whether you're opting for an endurance, strength or anaerobic exercise regime.

Collagen protein vs Whey: Introduction

Chances are, if you're already exercising at peak levels, you've heard lots about protein shakes and protein powders.

However, you may not have considered all options or weighed up the collagen protein vs whey arguments to make the best decisions on the right supplements to suit your lifestyle and exercise regime.

Whey protein still tends to be used in most over-the-counter protein powders, but collagen protein powders are slowly gaining in popularity. Obvs we are not a powder and ac is liquid which means a far superior absorption. Also, whey is hard for your body to breakdown

To put it in the most simple terms, whey protein is derived from milk and offers lots of lean muscle mass enhancing benefits. It is often used as a meal replacement and also offers antioxidant solutions and fat loss benefits for some people.

As noted above, collagen proteins are gaining in popularity as they offer lots of recognised benefits.

These include faster recovery times for muscle or joint injuries, boosted athletic performance, weight loss and lots more advantages for bones, joints and the skin. And same as above in red

If you're trying to find the perfect protein supplement to suit your lifestyle, you really will need to think about the differences between collagen protein vs whey and make your decision accordingly.

More about collagen protein vs whey

Collagen is one of the principal building blocks of the body. It is the sticky, gluey jelly that ensures great connection for the bones and joints.

It's produced naturally, but like bone cell production, collagen production slows down as our bodies age.

Bone cells deteriorate at a far greater rate than they are produced after the age of 30, and collagen production can slow from the age of 25. The good news, though, is that the body can be stimulated to produce more collagen if you start taking collagen supplements.

You can probably tell from the above that collagen is essential for bone, ligament, joint and muscle health and to maintain the structural integrity of the human body.

Lots of intense exercise often results in torn ligaments, tendons, muscles or joints; and in these situations, the healing benefits of collagen are a scientifically proven fact.

Collagen is needed to heal all these connective tissue injuries, so supplements can really help boost recovery times.

In addition, collagen can boost athletic performance considerably as it contains the essential amino acids needed to make creatine, which is a key molecule for muscular contractions.

You probably know all of the protein benefits offered by milk, and these are all associated with whey proteins too.

Whey is a water-soluble protein that's contained in milk. Proteins of this nature have always been popular with athletes looking to gain lean muscle mass.

It provides lots of exercise performance and enhancement benefits and contains all of the essential amino acids needed by the body, alongside valine, leucine and isoleucine.

Collagen, in contrast, only contains eight out of the nine essential amino acids. Doesn’t this make whey sounder better than collagen?

The key difference between collagen protein and whey protein

The amino acid content is really the key difference between whey proteins and collagen protein.

Collagen contains high levels of glycine and proline and its glycine content works in combination with cysteine and glutamine to help with the production of glutathione, which is the most powerful antioxidant in the body.

Glycine can also work to help stimulate the production of stomach acids, which helps to ensure great digestion.

As noted above, though, whey protein does provide all nine essential amino acids. Again, doesn’t this make whey sounder better than collagen?

The added benefit of collagen is that it helps increase joint and bone health

From an athletic perspective, where collagen can be most useful is for building strong bones and helping prevent fractures.

Collagen breakdown causes everybody to lose up to 50% of total bone strength, and studies prove that it's the collagen content in our bones that absorbs energy from knocks and impacts.

Collagen actually comprises up to 90% of total bone mass, so opting for collagen supplements can be a really excellent decision.

After all, it's important to maintain the highest possible levels of collagen content in our bones to keep them tough and cut risks of fractures.

Collagen supplements can help stimulate the growth of bone cells and also stimulate higher levels of collagen production to increase bone strength.

It is also great for improved flexibility and joint mobility, so an ideal supplement for workouts involving lots of extensions.

Collagen supplements can also help with weight loss

And, finally, when it comes to the difference between collagen protein vs whey in the weight loss stakes, it has to be said that collagen wins hands down.

It is far more filling than other proteins and is up to 40% more filling than whey protein.

This means that collagen supplements can help you reduce your eating as you feel full for a longer period of time.

Reasons collagen proteins are better than whey proteins for muscle recovery

The fact that collagen is so good at helping the body recover from torn tissues has already been discussed.

It is the key substance needed for strength regeneration and ensuring the return of flexibility to torn muscles, ligaments or joints.

In the three weeks immediately after any injury, the synthesis of collagen in the affected area is much higher than normal.

This means taking collagen supplements after injuries can help ensure even faster recovery rates.

Choose Absolute Collagen for best results

Absolute Collagen is an ideal workout supplement for men and women and can help build levels of resilience and strengthen bones and joints.

It is available in ready mixed sachets and contains 8 grams hydrolysed natural marine collagen, which is easy for the body to absorb.

You can take Absolute Collagen straight from the sachet or add to drinks, smoothies or meals before or after workouts.

You can find out more about the reasons it's one of the best supplements on the market on our about page.