Key Takeaways
✓ "Collagen peptides" and "hydrolyzed collagen" mean the same thing: collagen broken into small pieces that dissolve in liquid.
✓ The numbers to compare are grams of collagen per serving and servings per tub, not the size of the tub.
✓ Collagen is not a complete protein, so it adds to your protein intake rather than replacing other sources.
1. Source
Bovine collagen comes from cattle hide and is the most common. Marine collagen comes from fish skin and scales and usually costs more. Neither suits vegans, and marine collagen is a fish allergen. "Grass-fed" describes how the cattle were raised.
2. Hydrolyzed or not
Almost every powder sold for mixing into drinks is hydrolyzed, meaning the collagen has been broken into peptides. That is why it dissolves instead of setting like gelatin. If the label says gelatin, it will gel.
3. Grams per serving
Servings range from about 5 g to 20 g of collagen. Check how many scoops make a serving and how many servings are in the tub, then work out the cost per serving. A large tub with a two-scoop serving may not last as long as it looks.
4. Protein, and what collagen is missing
Collagen is rich in the amino acids glycine and proline, but it lacks tryptophan, so it is not a complete protein. Count it toward your day's protein, but do not rely on it alone.
5. Flavoured or unflavoured
Unflavoured powders disappear into coffee or smoothies. Flavoured ones, such as chocolate, are easier to drink with just milk or water. Check what sweetens them: stevia, sugar or an artificial sweetener.
What the research covers
A meta-analysis of 19 randomized, placebo-controlled trials with 1,125 participants, 95% of them women, found that hydrolyzed collagen taken for 90 days compared favourably with placebo on measures of skin hydration and elasticity (PMID: 33742704). The trials used a range of specific collagen products and amounts, so results from one product cannot be assumed for another.
Research discussed here relates to individual ingredients and does not establish that the finished Veluna product has been clinically studied or will produce the same results.
Where Veluna fits
Veluna Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides is a chocolate powder made from hydrolyzed bovine hide collagen and sweetened with stevia. A two-scoop serving (27 g) provides 20 g of collagen peptides and 18 g of protein, and a tub holds 14 servings. It provides glycine and collagen peptides, which support the body's normal repair processes. It is third-party tested. See it on the hair, skin and nails page.
Common questions
Is collagen powder the same as collagen peptides?
In practice, yes. Powders sold for drinks are hydrolyzed collagen, which is another name for collagen peptides.
Does it matter when I take it?
No particular time has been shown to matter. Pick a time you will stick to, such as your morning coffee.
Can I take it with vitamin C?
Yes. See vitamin C and collagen.
References
- de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021;60(12):1449-1461. PMID: 33742704
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Talk to a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
