Debunking the Collagen Denaturation Myth
Collagen supplements are well-known for promoting healthier skin, nails, joints, and overall wellness. Yet, a common misconception persists: people worry that mixing collagen into hot beverages like coffee, tea, or soup might destroy its benefits. Is this true, or is it just a myth?
Let’s dive into the science to debunk this myth and explain how you can enjoy collagen in your favorite hot drinks without compromising its effectiveness.
The Myth: Does Heat Destroy Collagen?
The idea that collagen loses its effectiveness when exposed to heat has caused a lot of confusion. While extreme heat can denature proteins, hydrolyzed collagen peptides—the form found in most supplements—are actually broken down (denatured) from the hydrolyzation process which includes high temperatures and pressure, and this isn’t a bad thing! [6-Hajj, 2024].
Hydrolyzed collagen (also known as collagen peptides or even denatured collagen) is native collagen that’s been “digested” or broken down into smaller amino acid chains called peptides. The original collagen protein is extracted with heat and temperature, and put through enzymatic hydrolysis, breaking the bonds of the collagen triple helix into small, bioavailable peptide building blocks. Small molecular weight collagen peptides are readily absorbed by the body and can signal the body to create more collagen endogenously, and this could be type 1, type 2, type 3, or others! In fact, hydrolyzed collagen, aka collagen peptides, is specifically processed for better absorption by the body, and many studies prove it.
Fig. 1 Denaturation of native collagen protein into small peptides with a low molecular weight. Image Credit Hajj, et al 2024.
A 2019 study by Hui Hong et al. examined the stability of hydrolyzed collagen peptides under different conditions, including heat. The study confirmed that collagen peptides remain structurally intact and retain their biological activity, even in high temperatures—like those found in a hot cup of coffee or tea. This means you can safely enjoy your collagen in hot beverages without worrying about losing its benefits.
Does Collagen Lose Its Benefits in Hot Beverages?
For those who love starting their day with coffee or tea, here’s good news: collagen peptides maintain their functional properties even in hot liquids. Research by Proksch et al. (2014) demonstrated that oral collagen supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration, regardless of whether collagen is consumed in hot or cold food and beverages. So, when you stir collagen into your hot drink, you’re still getting the full support for your skin, joints, and more.
Collagen Peptide Absorption: The Key to Effectiveness
One reason hydrolyzed collagen remains effective compared to non hydrolyzed collagen is the faster absorption rate. In a 2019 randomized controlled trial, Skov et al. showed that hydrolyzed collagen had a quicker absorption rate than non-hydrolyzed collagen. This means that not only is hydrolyzed collagen better absorbed, but it's used more efficiently by your body, maximizing its benefits.
What Happens to Collagen in Hot Coffee?
Collagen’s structure changes under heat, but not in a way that diminishes its benefits. Hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into smaller peptides, making it more resistant to moderate temperatures found in typical hot beverages. Collagen peptides can maintain their nutritional integrity, ensuring that your body can absorb them and utilize them even after being mixed into hot liquids.
A study published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety further confirms that hydrolyzed proteins, including collagen peptides, should not be further denatured in ways that affect their bioavailability or functionality, especially when they are exposed to traditional temperatures found in beverages brewed at home or served in most establishments. Whether added to hot tea, coffee, or soup, collagen's benefits should remain intact.
How Much Collagen Should You Take?
Dosing matters when it comes to collagen. A 2024 study by Lee et al. found that resistance-trained men experienced greater collagen synthesis after consuming 30 grams of hydrolyzed collagen compared to smaller doses of 15 grams or none at all. If you're looking to support your skin, joints, or post-exercise recovery, higher doses may be more beneficial. However, studies shown on skin, hair,joints, and connective tissue have been found at lower daily doses from 2.5 to 5 grams with specific bioactive collagen peptides with low molecular weights which we will talk about shortly.
Will Heat Destroy My Collagen Supplement?
To settle this once and for all: No, average heat found in drinkable beverages will not destroy your collagen peptide product, unless it’s exposed to extremely high temperatures—much higher than you’d encounter in a kitchen. According to a study in Biophysical Journal, collagen doesn’t denature until it reaches temperatures of 572°F (300°C), far beyond the heat of typical home ovens or hot beverages.
Bozec (2011) further supports this in his study on collagen denaturation, revealing that collagen only degrades at these extreme temperatures. So, mixing collagen into your everyday moderately hot beverages—whether coffee, tea, or soup—shouldn’t affect its effectiveness.
Conclusion: Collagen and Hot Beverages—A Perfect Match
If you're adding collagen to your morning coffee or tea, the heat shouldn’t destroy its benefits. Bioactive Collagen peptides are basically “pre-digested”, meaning their enhanced bioavailability ensures they’ll be absorbed and utilized by your body, regardless of the average drink’s temperature. Supported by science, your hot beverages are a perfectly fine way to get your daily dose of collagen, and a great habit to instill in your routine.
Not all Collagen Supplements Are Created Equal
With the increasing popularity of collagen products in the marketplace, it makes it increasingly difficult to find quality products with research to back them. Most supplement products are now focusing marketing around Collagen peptides, but not all Collagen peptides are created equal, and differences between products can vary drastically in their molecular weight and signaling properties. Collagen Bioactive Peptides from world renown collagen manufacturer- GELITA exhibit unique molecular weight distribution profiles - or “fingerprints”. Preclinical trials have shown that Gelita’s trademarked collagen raw materials optimally stimulates the metabolism of its target connective tissue cells, contributing to maintaining collagen in the body, a framework for healthy extracellular matrices.
Looking for a great collagen supplement? Try Collagen Connect—it contains micronized Type 1, 2, and 3 collagen, plus essential cofactors to enhance absorption. Its research-backed trademarked raw materials include FORTIGEL® and VERISOL® bioactive collagen peptides from Gelita which provide targeted support for connective tissue health, aiding in the natural repair and renewal of tissues such as skin, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. FORTIGEL® works at an optimal daily dose of 5 grams, while VERISOL® is effective at 2.5 grams per day. Both peptides have unique molecular "fingerprints" that stimulate specific connective tissue cells, enhancing extracellular matrix production and supporting tissue repair during both normal turnover and healing processes.
Collagen Connect was precisely formulated to include both FORTIGEL® and VERISOL®, along with the vital cofactors Vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium, to bolster and enhance collagen absorption and expression in the body. These cofactors play a crucial role in supporting collagen synthesis, ensuring that the bioactive peptides work at their full potential.
For best results, consider using Collagen Connect from NuMedica as part of a daily routine to optimize connective tissue regeneration and overall tissue health. Thanks for reading on the benefits of bioactive collagen peptides and how they can enhance your connective tissue health, while also being enjoyed in your daily cup of hot coffee or tea!
References:
- Hui Hong, Hongbing Fan, Meram Chalamaiah, Jianping Wu, Preparation of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Hydrolysates (Peptides): Current Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives, Food Chemistry, Volume 301, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125222.
- Proksch, E., Schunck, M., Zague, V., Segger, D., Degwert, J., & Oesser, S. (2014). Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 27(3), 113–119. https://doi.org/10.1159/000355523.
- Skov, K. et al. (2019). Enzymatic Hydrolysis of a Collagen Hydrolysate Enhances Postprandial Absorption Rate—A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(5), 1064. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051064.
- Lee, J. et al. (2024). The Collagen Synthesis Response to an Acute Bout of Resistance Exercise Is Greater When Ingesting 30 g Hydrolyzed Collagen Compared with 15 g and 0 g in Resistance-Trained Young Men. The Journal of Nutrition, 154(7), 2076-2086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.030.
- Bozec, L. (2011). Thermal Denaturation Studies of Collagen by Microthermal Analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy. Biophysical Journal, 100(8), 2008-2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2011.02.048.
- Al Hajj, Walaa et al. (2024). Hydrolyzed collagen: Exploring its applications in the food and beverage industries and assessing its impact on human health – A comprehensive review. Heliyon, Volume 10, Issue 16, e36433