Peptide Fortified Collagen Protein Smoothie Recipe

Collagen supplements are becoming increasingly popular. Why add collagen to your smoothie? People turn to collagen powder for more flexible joints, stronger nails, thicker, more lustrous hair, and particularly for smoother, healthier skin. While you could take your collagen supplements in pill form, collagen powder is more versatile and may be more effective. Unflavored collagen powder can be stirred into all kinds of food and drink, as well as making an excellent ingredient for delicious smoothies.

Choosing powdered collagen

Not all collagen supplements are created equal. You need to look for a product that lists the actual amount of collagen it contains. Inferior products may contain a high percentage of inactive fillers, such as cellulose. The collagen they do contain may come from poor sources that lack science and tracebility, meaning that it’s less effective. It’s vital that you choose a brand that tells you exactly how much collagen is in the powder and what kind of concentrations are available.

You also need to know what sources your collagen is derived from, so transparency in sourcing is another feature to look out for. A quality brand will mention the sources used, which should be marine or grass-fed bovine. These sources produce flexible and pliable collagen, containing all the building blocks your body needs to produce quality collagen of its own.

Another factor to look out for is dipeptide and peptide concentration, particularly the percentage of PO and OG peptides. These rare collagen peptides are essential for bio-availability, meaning that the collagen can be absorbed and utilized by your body. Body Kitchen’s powdered collagen is ideal, as it’s 30 times more concentrated than the average conventional collagen product. Body Kitchen collagen powder also has a high peptide concentration and contains 20 more dipeptides than other competitors.

How do I get the most out of my collagen?

Without the right nutrients, your body won’t be able to make effective use of the collagen you’re taking. A sensible, balanced diet will provide you with many of the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes your body needs. To help things along, you can add your collagen powder to a collagen boosting smoothie. The list of possible ingredients is endless, and there are many delicious collagen smoothie recipes you can try.

It’s vital to get enough vitamin C in your diet if you want collagen supplements to work at all. Good sources of vitamin C and other antioxidants include fresh fruits such as citrus fruits and berries. Leafy green vegetables such as kale are also great in collagen smoothies, as they pack in plenty of vitamin C and lots of essential minerals too.

Another fruit that’s perfect for collagen smoothies is pineapple. As well as tasting delicious, pineapple contains some beneficial nutrients. In particular, pineapple is a source of the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain is the substance that makes your mouth tingle when you eat pineapple. This enzyme breaks down protein into a form that’s easier for your body to absorb. Pineapples are also a great source of antioxidants.

If you’re after great skin, hair and nails, toss the flesh of half a ripe avocado into your smoothie. This fruit has lots of the healthy oils you need to get the most from fat-soluble vitamins. Avocados also contain vitamin E, an essential nutrient for youthful skin.

Instead of plain water or skim milk, switch things up with something new. Nut milks are delicious in smoothies and add useful additional nutrients. Alternatively, you could try some coconut water. This is especially good if you’re using your collagen smoothies to fuel a workout, as it has lots of valuable electrolytes. Coconut water also contains amino acids that can turbo-charge new cell growth, helping those collagen peptides to do their work.

Another excellent ingredient for a collagen protein smoothie is nut butter. Peanut, hazelnut, almond — they all have lots of protein and will help you get the full benefit from powdered collagen in smoothies.

The beauty of a good smoothie recipe is that you can tweak it to your taste. Swap out ingredients you don’t like for ones you do, add extra nutrients or flavorings, make it thicker or thinner. Just don’t forget to include a reputable and effective collagen protein such as Body Kitchen.