Collagen vs Gelatin: Which is Better?

Collagen: A simple word that has a lot of us wondering what it is, what it does, and where to get it. There are also many misconceptions about collagen and gelatin, with many of us assuming that the two are the same.
We’re here to help clear up some of this confusion. Today, we’re going to go over what exactly collagen is and why it’s important. We’ll also explain the relation between collagen and gelatin, and their difference. There's a lot of ground to cover, so let's jump in.

What is Collagen?

Let’s get geeky for a second. In scientific terms, collagen is one of the many proteins in our bodies. Collagen proteins consist of amino acids, which are small but critical organic building blocks.

Textbooks commonly state collagen makes up a large share of bodily protein (often cited as ~25–35% of total protein), though amounts vary by tissue and measurement method.
We find collagen in many important parts of the body, such as our:

• Skin
  
• Bones
  
• Cartilage
  
• Connective tissue
  

It helps provide both structure and flexibility and, in doing so, functions as the “glue” holding us together.

What is Gelatin?

Put simply, gelatin is a food ingredient. Many people use the terms “collagen” and “gelatin” interchangeably because gelatin is made from animal collagen. This is typically what leads to the "gelatin vs collagen " debate. 

Many people also believe that gelatin is simply cooked collagen, but this isn’t the case. Manufacturers produce gelatin using the skin and bones (and sometimes other parts) of animals. The main difference between collagen and gelatin is that collagen is the natural, structural protein found in bones and skin, while gelatin is a derivative of collagen created by boiling collagen with water.

Is Taking Collagen the Same as Taking Gelatin?

Taking collagen isn’t the same as eating gelatin, even though both have the same amino acids.

Manufacturers make gelatin from denatured collagen, but gelatin contains collagen peptides rather than collagen itself. This is because the process of making gelatin breaks down the collagen proteins into smaller pieces. In geek terms, the heating and processing break the triple helix of collagen to make gelatin. This process helps give gelatin greater versatility as a food product because it can be used as a setting agent, but the collagen isn't the same afterwards.

Eating something that has collagen versus eating something with gelatin will have two different effects on your body because they aren’t the same thing.

It’s important to understand that eating gelatin isn’t necessarily an effective way to increase your collagen intake. Eating a gelatin-based dessert, for example, won’t help you increase your collagen levels. In this regard, collagen emerges victorious in the battle of collagen vs gelatin.

That said, gelatin still contains some key amino acids that help support both joint and skin health. Eating gelatin can help boost our own internal collagen production. So while gelatin doesn't increase your collagen levels, it can help your body produce more collagen on its own.

Collagen vs Gelatin: Which is Better?

Collagen and gelatin each have their own place, purpose, and health benefits. However, scientists consider collagen to be superior. This is because gelatin, while nutritious in its own way, is a reduced form of collagen.

Gelatin is useful for thickening sauces and preserves, and giving treats a delectable chewiness. Collagen is used for its health benefits, such as improved bone, skin, hair, and joint health.

Collagen Supplements - Why Should You Use Them?

If you think that your diet isn't cutting it when it comes to getting enough collagen, don't worry. You can always add collagen peptides to your diet through other means. Supplements are the easiest way to do this, and luckily, they're available in a few different forms.

Manufacturers offer collagen peptides as supplements in powder form for convenience. Our premium Collagen Glow Up powder is an excellent option if you want a product designed for absorption and effectiveness. You can easily mix our powder in hot or cold water, smoothies, coffee, tea, or even oatmeal.

Some collagen supplements come in capsule and gummy forms. The type of supplement you choose comes down to your preferences, but most people prefer using powder because it’s tasteless and can be incorporated into normal meals.

The Importance of Collagen: Why It’s the Better Option

Research published in Heliyon found that collagen is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and hair, and supporting strong bones and reliable joints. Without collagen (and the key amino acids that make up collagen), our connective tissues start to degrade. This can result in joint pain, reduced flexibility, and muscle aches. Collagen also plays an important role in digestion and gut health.

There are different types of collagen. The main differences between them relate to the health benefits they provide to different body parts.

• Skin, bones, and connective tissue contain Type I.
  
• Cartilage, which is vital for joint health, contains Type II.
  
• Organs contain primarily Type III.
  
• Skin, although only in one specific layer, contains Type IV.
  
• Hair, skin, and corneas contain Type V.
  

There are other types as well, but these are the most relevant.

Collagen For Your Gut

Many skincare treatments and skin-focused supplements contain collagen, and for good reason! Our skin needs collagen to function properly.

This is because collagen is vital for maintaining your skin's structure and elasticity. Put simply, this means that collagen is what keeps your skin smooth, hydrated, and capable of bouncing back from damage. Without sufficient collagen, our skin can become dry and have a harder time healing.

As we age, our bodies often struggle to produce collagen. As the internal production of this key protein slows down, collagen levels begin to decline. And when those levels start to drop, we lose some of the key benefits that collagen provides.

Lower collagen levels are why older adults experience wrinkles, sagging skin, and increased dryness in their skin. Because the collagen is no longer present in the same amounts, the skin loses some of its structure and vitality. 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help with this. Eating a healthy diet rich in foods that promote collagen production is a good start, but supplements offer further support.

Collagen For Your Hair

Collagen helps with the formation of keratin, an essential component in hair. According to research published in 2022 by the Cleveland Clinic, without enough collagen, your hair can become brittle and prone to breakage.

Collagen also helps keep your blood vessels healthy. Good blood flow to your scalp is a major component when it comes to hair health. Better blood flow means more nutrients, and your hair's condition will improve accordingly.

The antioxidant properties of collagen can also sometimes help mitigate the effects of free radicals that damage hair follicles. Damaged hair follicles can result in poor hair growth, so this is yet another way collagen supports healthy hair. Many people also add biotin for hair growth to complement collagen’s role in supporting healthier and stronger hair.

Collagen For Your Nails

Another health benefit associated with collagen is its ability to support healthy nails. Brittle nails are a distressing (and sometimes downright alarming) problem for many people. Collagen supports the nail and the nail bed, which means getting enough collagen can help keep your nails healthy and strong. You could even get a collagen manicure to help improve the condition of your nails.

Collagen For Your Muscles and Joints

Collagen is also important for muscle development. It provides structure to the ligaments and tendons and helps maintain elasticity in our muscle tissue. Without collagen, our muscles couldn't function nearly as well as they do. In fact, the decrease in collagen levels that occurs with age often results in muscle weakness.

There's also some evidence that collagen supports joint health. A study conducted by Honvo et al. found that collagen levels may have a beneficial impact on arthritis and even osteoarthritis. 

This is why our collection of supplements for joint pain includes high-quality collagen that can help support joint health, reduce discomfort, and promote mobility.

Which Foods Contain Collagen Naturally? 

There are quite a few foods that are healthy sources of natural collagen. Some of these sources include fish, chicken, shellfish, and egg whites. Bone broths also contain high amounts of collagen. Manufacturers use real bones (an excellent source of collagen) to make bone broth.

Some foods don’t contain collagen, but increase your body's ability to create collagen on its own. These include leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Is There Vegan Collagen?

Collagen and gelatin aren’t vegan-friendly (sorry, plant-based geeks). Manufacturers use animal-based materials to make both. However, you can get “vegan collagen”, which functions as an animal-free alternative to more traditional supplements containing collagen peptides.

Keep in mind that these vegan supplements don’t provide you with actual collagen peptides. Rather, they give you the nutrients you need to increase your own collagen production.

Hydrolysed Collagen vs Undenatured Collagen

When shopping for collagen supplements, it's likely that you'll run into terms like "hydrolysed collagen” or “undenatured collagen”. If you find those terms bewildering, you're definitely not alone. But don’t worry – here’s what they mean. 

Hydrolysed Collagen

Hydrolysis processes collagen to create hydrolysed collagen. This process basically breaks down collagen into smaller pieces that the body can absorb easily. We use this type of collagen in our supplement for this reason.

Undenatured Collagen

In contrast, undenatured collagen is collagen that has not been broken into smaller collagen peptides. It contains all the same amino acids as hydrolysed collagen, but hasn’t undergone hydrolysis. Instead, the triple-helix structure of the collagen remains intact.

Put more simply, undenatured collagen is collagen in its natural state.

Collagen vs Gelatin: Which is Better For You?

In the collagen vs gelatin battle, collagen is the clear winner. Although both offer similar amino acids, collagen peptides are more versatile. They dissolve in hot or cold liquids, making daily use effortless. Collagen improves skin elasticity, joint comfort, muscle development, and nail strength. Gelatin is great for cooking and gut-friendly gels, but collagen’s convenience and broader, consistent benefits make it the smarter everyday choice.

References

• Abrahams, M., O’Grady, R., & Prawitt, J. (2022). Effect of a Daily Collagen Peptide Supplement on Digestive Symptoms in Healthy Women: 2-Phase Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(5), e36339.
  
• Alves, M., Carlos Rocha Oliveira, Da, R., Flavio Aimbire, José Roberto Mateus-Silva, Felipe Augusto Chaluppe, & Rodolfo Paula Vieira. (2022). Hydrolyzed Collagen Induces an Anti-Inflammatory Response That Induces Proliferation of Skin Fibroblast and Keratinocytes. Nutrients, 14(23), 4975–4975.
  
• Campos, L. D., de Almeida Santos Junior, V., Pimentel, J. D., Fernandes Carregã, G. L., & Betim Cazarin, C. B. (2023). Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literature. Heliyon, 9(4), e14961.
  
• Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Collagen: What It is, Types, Function & Benefits. Cleveland Clinic.
  
• Gencoglu, H., Orhan, C., Sahin, E., & Sahin, K. (2020). Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II) in Joint Health and Disease: A Review on the Current Knowledge of Companion Animals. Animals, 10(4), 697.
  
• Honvo, G., Lengelé, L., Charles, A., Reginster, J.-Y., & Bruyère, O. (2020). Role of Collagen Derivatives in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Repair: A Systematic Scoping Review With Evidence Mapping. Rheumatology and Therapy, 7(4), 703–740.
  
• Wang, H. (2021). A Review of the Effects of Collagen Treatment in Clinical Studies. Polymers, 13(22), 3868.