Collagen vs. Gelatin: What's the Difference?
Collagen vs. Gelatin: Similarities and Differences
Are you considering joining the collagen trend? We don’t blame you! It's difficult to resist a protein that offers numerous benefits, from supporting joint health to enhancing skin hydration and elasticity, and even providing gut-supportive advantages.
However, with any emerging wellness trend, questions often arise. This is especially true given the variety of collagen supplements available. And what about gelatin? Are collagen and gelatin identical?
Continue reading! We have the answers to these questions and more below.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the primary protein in connective tissue, skin, and bones.1 In fact, it is the most abundant protein in our bodies, comprising 25-35% of the body’s total protein content!2 Collagen is present in skin, muscles, tendons, and is naturally part of cartilage, bone, and other tissues.
The body contains at least 16 types of collagen, most of which fall into one of three categories: Type I, Type II, or Type III. Each type has unique characteristics and serves different functions in the body.1
For instance, Type I collagen, which constitutes a significant portion of your skin, is incredibly strong and highly stretchable without breaking.1 It helps maintain firm, youthful skin, and bones also contain some Type I collagen fibers.
Type II collagen is a key component of joint cartilage, as Type II collagen fibers provide strength and compressibility.1 Type III collagen is found alongside Type I in the skin, as well as in blood vessels and organs.
That’s just the start! Collagen plays many varied roles. However, our natural collagen production declines with age, leading to various issues from wrinkles to joint problems and more.3
Environmental and lifestyle factors can also impact collagen levels. For example, excessive sun exposure can significantly damage the collagen in your skin.4
What is Gelatin?
Gelatin is collagen that has been cooked long enough for the amino acids to begin breaking down into smaller components, which are then extracted, filtered, and dried into sheets or powder.5
These gelatin sheets or powder can later be dissolved in hot water for use. Common sources of collagen used to make gelatin include the skin, bones, and connective tissues of cows, chickens, pigs, and fish.
Gelatin still contains collagen protein and is excellent for hair and nails. Gelatin supplements exist, though it is more commonly found in your pantry for use in desserts and soups.
What is Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Simply put, hydrolyzing involves breaking down a substance using water.6 There are varying degrees of hydrolyzation. Gelatin is partially hydrolyzed collagen.
Hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen hydrolysate, breaks down the amino acid bonds even further than gelatin does. The result is collagen that dissolves easily in both cold and hot water and is more readily digested by the body due to its smaller protein size.
Hydrolyzed collagen shares the same amino acid profile and comes from the same sources as gelatin, but reacts differently in liquids and does not act as a thickener like gelatin. Technically, most collagen in supplements is hydrolyzed to some degree to facilitate easier digestion.
Using Gelatin & Collagen Hydrolysate
There are many ways to use collagen hydrolysate and gelatin to obtain beneficial amino acids. Both gelatin and collagen hydrolysate are flavorless, making them extremely versatile, though they cannot be used interchangeably.
Collagen hydrolysate will not “gel” like gelatin, so it is unsuitable for recipes that require gelatin such as marshmallows, puddings, or fruit snacks. However, unlike gelatin, collagen hydrolysate can dissolve in both cold and hot liquids, allowing you to add it to nearly anything!
What’s the Best Collagen Supplement?
Similar to the collagen in your body, collagen supplements are available in several types and forms. You’ll most often find collagen supplements labeled Type I, Type II, or Type III, as well as bone broth collagen.
So, which should you choose? Here’s a brief overview of the uses of each to help you make an informed decision.
Type I Collagen is typically used to improve skin elasticity and hydration, strengthen nails, and thicken hair. It is often sourced from marine collagen, like in BubbForest Marine Collagen.
Type II Collagen is commonly used to support joint health and mobility, as seen in BubbForest’s UC-II Standardized Collagen, which contains a patented form of collagen clinically proven to support joint health.7
Type III Collagen is often found in supplements combined with Type I collagen, as they occur together in the body. You can try it in our Collagen Hydrolysate powder to promote overall health and provide essential building blocks for the growth and maintenance of healthy tissues.
Bone Broth Collagen has become highly popular in the wellness industry. It offers a nourishing way to obtain all three types of collagen in one supplement. Try it in BubbForest's Real Food Bone Broth Collagen, made from USDA certified bovine bones and available in natural, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.
Benefits of Collagen, Gelatin & Collagen Hydrolysate
- Skin Support: Helps maintain skin elasticity and hydration, potentially reducing the appearance of aging signs. An 8-week study on the effects of collagen supplementation revealed enhanced skin hydration and increased collagen density in the skin.8
- Bone Health: Collagen plays a crucial role in bone health, and collagen from bone broth includes minerals like magnesium and calcium that support bones,9,10 though they are present in low amounts, so bone broth collagen should not be relied on solely for these nutrients.
- Promotes Joint Health and Mobility: Collagen is a natural component of cartilage, bone, and other tissues related to joint health.11 Bone broth collagen may be particularly beneficial for joints as it also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which studies suggest may enhance joint comfort and help mitigate age-related cartilage degradation.12,13
- Supports Strong Hair & Nails: Being a protein, collagen is a fundamental building block for hair and nails, so adequate protein intake supports their growth.14,15 Supplementing with collagen can increase nail growth by up to 12% while decreasing breakage.15
- Bone Broth for Digestion: The amino acids in collagen and gelatin may help balance the gut, aid digestion, and support a healthy gastrointestinal tract.16,17
- Exercise Recovery: Collagen supplements may support connective tissues during exercise recovery and also provide joint benefits throughout your workout.18,19
Nourish Your Body from Within
What’s not to love about collagen? Whether you’re seeking beauty nutrition to maintain your glow, stronger hair and nails, joint health support, or overall wellness from a protein boost, collagen is a valuable addition to your wellness regimen.
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian, BubbForest Health Products
Lindsey is a nationally-recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for pie. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between pleasure and nourishment in food.
Her philosophy is that you should care for your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. This belief inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition, ultimately leading her to BubbForest Health.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources
1. Collagen Structure and Stability. National Library of Medicine. Read source
2. Collagens. ScienceDirect. Read source
3. What is Collagen and Why Do People Use It? Medical News Today. Read source
4. Photoaging. Yale Medicine. Read source
5. The Science of Gelatin. Fine Cooking. Read source
6. Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Read source
7. kollaGen II-xs Found Effective for Joint Health. Nutraceuticals World. Read source
8. The Effect of Oral Collagen Peptide Supplementation. PubMed. Read source
9. Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers. Nutrients. Read source
10. Minerals for Bone Health. American Bone Health. Read source
11. Collagen Type II. WebMD. Read source
12. Glucosamine Sulfate. MedlinePlus. Read source
13. Glucosamine. Mayo Clinic. Read source
14. Foods for Hair Growth. Healthline. Read source
15. Collagen Supplements May Boost Nail Growth. NutraIngredients USA. Read source
16. Stimulation of Gastric Acid. PubMed. Read source
17. Gelatin Tannate. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology
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