Did you know that the way you look, and in particular the youthfulness of your skin, has a lot to do with nutrition?
They say that beauty comes from within. However, it does also have a lot to do with what you put into our body. You are what you eat. A healthy and well-balanced diet can go a long way to helping you look and feel healthy and maintain a younger looking complexion.
As we age, we produce less collagen every year.
The result?
Thinning and more wrinkled skin.
Suddenly what used to look like a plump and juicy grape, resembles a shriveled up raison! That’s because collagen is the protein that provides our skin with its stretch, suppleness and structure. It’s like the scaffolding that holds everything together. Take it away and everything just slips.
So, if you’ve looked in the mirror this morning and seen a set of wobbly jowls staring back at you, then it’s time to do something about it!
Can you boost collagen the natural way?
Before you turn to injectables to regain that plump, radiant look of your 20s, wouldn’t you rather provide your body with collagen the natural way?
If so, then read on as we explore the best foods to top up your collagen levels and boost your skin health holistically.
Eating collagen-rich foods or foods that are scientifically proven to boost collagen production, may help create the building blocks to support your skin goals. It’s a lot safer and less expensive than reaching for the needle!
There are essentially three important amino acids that aid with healthy collagen synthesis: proline, lysine and glycine. So let’s discover the foods you can add to your diet today to provide a reliable source of collagen.
Top 10 Foods To Boost Collagen Production
1. Bone Broth
Made by simmering the bones of animals in water, seasoned and flavored with spices to create a broth, the process of making bone broth is believed to extract the collagen content from the bones and connective tissue. If you want to try making your own bone broth, be sure to obtain bones from a reputable butcher.
2. Chicken
Chicken neck and cartilage is thought to be a great source of collagen, especially useful when treating conditions such as arthritis. For lovers of chicken, it’s great to know that this tasty white meat is packed with connective tissues that’s a rich source of natural dietary collagen. So tuck into organic chicken, just don’t make it deep fried!
3. Fish and Shellfish
The bones and ligaments of fish and shellfish contain an abundant supply of collagen. Hence why marine collagen, derived from fish scales, is such a popular ingredient in many of the best-selling collagen drinks like Reverse Life Marine Collagen. Note, chowing down on a tuna sandwich at lunchtime won’t turn back the clock! For anti-aging benefits you need to be ingesting the less desirable fishy parts, like its head, scales and eyeballs! No wonder collagen peptide drinks are so popular.
4. Garlic
Garlic is high in sulfur which helps to synthesise collagen and prevent its breakdown. OK, so you’re going to need to consume a LOT for it to have any visible benefit, but try throwing it into your stir-fried and pastas to give your body a helping hand.
5. Leafy Greens
We all know that a diet rich in leafy greens is the key to feeling healthy but your daily greens can also pack an aesthetic punch too. Rich in chlorophyll which has abundant antioxidant properties, dark green veggies like spinach, kale and Swiss chard are packed with skin-boosting properties.
6. Egg whites
Eggs don’t contain connective tissue but they do contain significant amounts of proline, one of the amino acids we identified earlier that is necessary for healthy collagen production.
7. Citrus Fruits
If you’ve done your collagen research you’ll know that collagen synthesis is most effective when combined with Vitamin C. That’s why so many high-quality collagen supplements are combined with Vitamin C as one of their core ingredients. So grab your favourite zesty flavour and add more citrus into your diet. Try adding some orange segments to a salad or grabbing a grapefruit for breakfast.
8. Berries
Berries are not only a rich source of antioxidants, essential in the fight against aging and counteracting the damage to skin from free radicals, they’re also provide a surprisingly bountiful supply of Vitamin C. Did you know that ounce for ounce, strawberries contain more Vitamin C than oranges? So top up on a hefty daily dose of berries to help protect the skin from within.
9. Beans
10. Tomatoes
Like berries, tomatoes deliver a surprising hidden source of Vitamin C. They also boast significant quantities of lycopene which is beneficial in supporting the skin from within and a powerful antioxidant.
What effect does sugar and refined carbs have on collagen production?
We’ve taken a look at the top 10 foods that can help boost natural collagen production. What about those that actively damage and deplete it? It’s bad news for all you lovers of donuts! Turns out that sugar and refined carbs are the nemesis to younger looking, plump and radiant skin. Too much sugar and refined carbohydrates may cause internal inflammation, which can damage collagen. So if you do love a slice of cake with your afternoon cup of tea, best to start your morning off the right way with a shot of collagen.
The best collagen supplements for your skin
We appreciate, it’s not always possible to consume collagen-rich foods. Let’s face it, not everyone has the time to make up their own bone broth, and eating a diet rich in chicken and shellfish might not be to everyone's tastes.
That’s where the best collagen supplements can help, by providing an essential daily top up of high-quality marine collagen peptides.
There’s 10,000mg of premium hydrolysed marine collagen in Reverse Life alongside 50g of hyaluronic acid. So if you are looking to boost your skin from within and maintain healthier hair, skin, nails and nervous system, then check out our best collagen deals today.