The most abundant protein found in your body, collagen is abundant in your muscles, skin, blood, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. Collagen is a building block that:

• promotes skin elasticity
• holds together your bones and muscles
• protects your organs
• provides structure to joints and tendons

Other lifestyle habits that reduces collagen production include smoking, sun exposure, and an unhealthy diet. Some health conditions may also deplete your collagen storage. And without sufficient collagen, expect wrinkles and sagging skin, or even experience joint pain.

1. May reverse aging

Collagen has the ability of promoting glowing, vibrant skin. This essential protein provides elasticity to the skin, assisting it to appear more youthful and healthy.

As you age collagen production declines, fine lines, loose skin, and dryness can occur. So what happens if you increase your collagen intake with supplements?

Based on a research published in 2014 randomly chose 46 of 69 women, ages 35 to 55 years old, to take a collagen hydrolysate supplement. The rest of the group took a placebo. The women who took the collagen showed an improvement in skin elasticity within four weeks. (Proksch E, 2014)

The same manufacturer also conducted another study in 2014 with the same supplement, which significantly reduced wrinkles after just eight weeks. (Proksch E, 2014)

2.May ease joint pain

As your cartilage weakens and deteriorates with age, you may start to feel stiff, achy joints. It’s possible that upping your collagen intake may help reduce joint pain and alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
In a research done in 2009, participants took a type II collagen supplement 90 days. Results showed that osteoarthritis symptoms decreased by 40 percent while the severity of symptoms dropped by an impressive 33 percent. (David C. Crowley, 2009)

In an older study from 1993 with the same collagen supplement, participants with severe rheumatoid arthritis saw a lesser number of swollen and tender joints — 4 out of 60 participants also experienced complete remission. (DE Trentham, September 1993). This supplement was un-denatured, meaning that the amino acids weren’t broken down as a result of processing and exposure to high heat.

3.May reduce cellulite

Collagen may also improve the appearance of stubborn cellulite. Cellulite is when the layer of fat under the skin pushes up against the connective tissue, creating a dimpled or lumpy appearance on the skin.

Another study was sponsored in 2015 by manufacturers to see what type I collagen would do for cellulite. They randomly assigned 105 women, ages 24 to 50, to take collagen peptides for six months. Those who did demonstrated a clear improvement in skin texture and waviness. (Michael Schunck, 2015)

While it seems promising, more studies are needed to confirm if collagen helps reduce cellulite appearance. A 2015 review found that only acoustic wave therapy had potential benefit for treating cellulite, however, collagen may not have been included.

But remember, cellulite is incredibly common — an estimated 80 to 90 percent of women have it. It’s a natural part of aging and skin formation and not a cause for concern.