The collagen drink is a type of energy drink infused with collagen to help promote the body’s natural ability to produce the fatty tissue. The drink claims to stimulate the collagen-making mechanism in the body, which in turn will give the skin a more plump, younger look and feel by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. The collagen drink is said to do these things without the use of needles, collagen fillers, or the invasive surgery of collagen implants. The drink hails from Japan and comes in many variations.
As collagen in the body is broken down during the aging process, wrinkles and sagging can appear. Some dieting and health experts suggest that the consumption of certain foods can help rebuild lost collagen. Foods that are high in antioxidants such as lycopene and isoflavone help to block the production of the enzyme collagensases, which is responsible for the breakdown of collagen. A few foods that contain these antioxidants are tomatoes and soy-based products, such as tofu and soy milk. Citrus fruits, green vegetables, and fish also help to promote the production of collagen in the human body.
Collagen drinks can be made from a variety of ingredients. While most contain some form of hydrolyzed collagen, the other ingredients are mostly some combination of amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that help promote skin elasticity. The collagen is usually derived from fish, known for its high content of fatty acids, although some drinks may derive the collagen from other animal fats. Collagen drinks are generally considered a safe dieting supplement. The collagen drink can either come in a prepared, liquid form or sold in a dry, powder form.
Although collagen drinks are a popular anti-aging treatment, the actual long-term benefits for the skin have been doubted by experts and consumers alike. When collagen is ingested, it is broken down into amino acids. Amino acids are then distributed throughout the body as energy for the body’s cells, which means that ingesting collagen has no direct effect on how much collagen the body produces.
Many fans of the drink guarantee a reduced appearance of wrinkles and sagging. Some products even promise results within three days. Popularity of the collagen drink has increased around the world with a variety of products being developed in Japan and advertisements running throughout China, Japan, and the U.S. Still, the reduction of wrinkles is supposedly dependent of continued consumption of the collagen drink; therefore, the plumping effect may be lost if consumption is stopped.
