There are countless social media posts about looking good and how to maintain your overall health, particularly the importance of collagen in combating aging. In this regard, nutrition expert Kyle Crowley shared how to incorporate the vital collagen for skin and gut health (a protein that forms the structure or framework of cells and tissues) into your diet. Crowley stated, "Protein has become particularly popular among women wanting to improve their skin health because as we age, the body produces less collagen, which may lead to the formation of wrinkles. Studies have shown that collagen may help slow skin aging by reducing dryness."
**How to Add Collagen to Your Diet:**
- **Bone Broth:** Crowley said, "Bone broth is one of the easiest and most effective ways for those looking to increase their protein intake and add probiotics to their diet, as collagen is one of the main proteins in broth, found in bones, tendons, and ligaments. Therefore, while cooking the broth, these parts break down into gelatin derived from collagen, which supports overall bone health." He added, "The broth contains probiotics that help rebuild the intestinal lining with beneficial bacteria left by the gelatin present in the boiled bones."
- **Chicken:** Crowley noted, "Chicken is a great source of collagen, as the skin and connective tissues contain a lot of protein. Poultry is rich in dietary collagen and an easy way to incorporate protein into your diet. Since chicken is a good protein source, it also helps promote muscle growth."
- **Fish:** Crowley explained, "Fish is a significant source of collagen, but unlike other foods, it contains marine collagen, known for its anti-aging properties, which is absorbed by the body with up to 1.5 times more efficiency than bovine and beef-derived collagen."
However, if you are a vegetarian, there are foods that can also help boost your collagen levels. Crowley added, "Foods rich in Vitamin C such as berries, garlic, leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, oranges, tomatoes, whole grains, and nuts are key to helping the body produce collagen more effectively."
