If you are keeping up with the latest health and wellness trends, you will know at least a bit about COLLAGEN by now!! So many websites, media channels, and health gurus are talking about this, and companies are coming out with collagen drinks, usually with animal-derived collagen from beef and fish. (Imagine drinking beef and fish!)
As always, what WE talk about over in Teshialand is plant-based options for your vitamin, mineral and amino intakes. Collagen is no different, and there IS a plant-based option. But first, what is collagen?
Just ONE Benefit Of Collagen:
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein, and it is the main building block of virtually all parts of your body from your fingernails and inner layer of your skin to the discs between your vertebrae. It’s the main component in our connective tissue, and thus it’s known as the “glue” that keeps our bodies strong and limber. An abundance of collagen is what keeps your skin and hair looking young and healthy, and your joints supple, so many people refer to it as the “age-defying” protein. You start to lose collagen at the age of 25, so the need to consume extra collagen boosting nutrients in your diet starts at this age as well.
The discovery that this protein, which is found throughout your body (30% of your entire body), has a molecular structure is relatively recent: the first evidence was put forward in the 1930s. There are 10 types of collagen, which we will ignore for now, as each type (Collagen I, Collagen II, etc) is so named based on when it was discovered. What is more important to remember is that your body needs a certain kind of vitamin in order to produce all types of collagen : Vitamin C!
Collagen Needs Vitamin C!
Vitamin C deficiencies, which can lead to diseases such as Scurvy or Barlow’s Disease, are very rare in North America. We are inundated with Vitamin C-rich consumables such as orange or other citrus drinks, cranberries, broccoli, red pepper, and tropical fruit. However, making sure you are taking in the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C is only half the picture — you need to consume collagen-rich foods as well!
Plants that are rich in collagen boosting nutrients:
Alright, the info you’ve been waiting for, the following plants are rich with the proteins you need to create collagen, which will keep you looking and feeling vital, young, and alive …
Apricots, Dried
Black Beans
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Butternut Squash, Cooked
Carrots, Cooked
Chickpeas, Cooked
Eggplant
Hazelnuts
Kale
Kidney Beans
Kiwi Fruit
Lima Beans
Papaya
Prunes, Dried
Pumpkin Seeds
Red Peppers
Shiitake Mushrooms
Sesame Seeds
Sweet Potatoes
Tempeh
Quinoa
Wheat Germ
Whole Grains
IF however, you feel you need an EXTRA boost of collagen (perhaps to reverse dramatically thinning hair / painful joints), you could try a VEG sourced collagen supplement! Yes! They do exist. Actually, I have an idea, I will pick one up / try it out, and film a video SOON to update you on my results! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you don’t miss it 😉
You only get one body folks. Love it well, keep it FLEXY, and defy age daily with collagen boosting foods and maybe (!?) a supplement!