13 Foods That Help Your Body Produce Collagen

Eating collagen-rich meals like chicken and foods that boost collagen formation, like berries, can do wonders for your skin and health. According to Krista Goncalves, CHN, a certified holistic nutritionist, “Diet plays a surprisingly large role in the appearance and youthfulness of your skin.” (Healthline). “And the key ingredient is collagen.” The protein collagen imparts skin’s structure, suppleness, and stretchiness. Wrinkles and thinning skin are natural consequences of aging caused by a gradual loss of collagen production. This explains why collagen supplements are all the rage, popping up in every social media feed and shop shelf. Are collagen supplements preferable to dietary collagen, though? So, which foods are good sources of collagen? Supplement Vs. Food Bioavailability, or the degree to which your body can utilize a nutrient, decides between dietary collagen and collagen supplements. Dietitian Carrie Gabriel (MS, RDN) explains that bone broth and other foods contain a bioavailable type of collagen that the body can utilize immediately, making them a better option than pills. However, minimal data support the idea that collagen found in dietary sources is more bioavailable. Dietary approaches to increasing collagen levels are likely the safest option, as over-the-counter (OTC) supplements are not subject to FDA...