Does heat destroy collagen? What the science says

Did you know? Many heated foods and supplements lose nutritional value. In addition, the nutritional content of many foods and supplements is diminished when they are cooked (enzymes, vitamins). In contrast, does temperature make a difference when using collagen supplements?

Lucky for us, collagen doesn't melt when exposed to high temperatures. So, unlike most protein powders, Collagen can be heated to temperatures of up to 572℉, making it a valuable ingredient in the kitchen. Those who add collagen powder to their morning coffee & shake to increase hair and skin-beneficial amino acids will be pleased to hear this. But first, let's look into the scientific justification for this.

Why is Collagen Important To Your Body?

Collagen is a protein found in the skin and other connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscles, basically anywhere in the body. It's the most common source of protein in the human diet. Unfortunately, collagen deteriorates with age, making it more difficult for the body to manufacture new collagen. As a result, the waste products generated by your body's manufacturing mechanism are less than those generated by the breakdown.

Collagen is popular due to its beneficial role in maintaining the structure of skin and bones. In addition, several people reported feeling relief from their joint pain after taking it. The potential health benefits of collagen powder have led to its increased consumption as a dietary supplement. Proteins in this dietary powder have already been hydrolyzed because they are often extracted from animal tissues.

How Can The Body absorb Collagen?

Heating collagen leads the proteins to become "denatured." Denaturing is a step in the digestive process that "unwinds" the tightly coiled protein molecules so that digestive enzymes can break them down. It must be denatured for the body to absorb collagen's unique nutrients. It would flow through without being absorbed. Before the body can utilize them, all proteins—collagen, egg white, and muscle meat—must be digested into peptides and amino acids, which are smaller, more absorbable fragments.

What Enzyme Helps Collagen Breakdown?

The original collagen that holds animal tissues together is degraded by collagenases, enzymes produced by various bacteria and animal cells. The most potent collagenase, known as "crude" collagenase, is secreted by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium histolyticum. Researchers modified the fermentation and purification technique first described by MacLennan, Mandl, and Howes to produce more effective compounds in 1953. The word "crude" collagenase refers to the fact that this material contains numerous enzymes in addition to collagenase, all of which work together to disintegrate tissue. The collagenase enzyme has been found to exist in two different isoforms. As a result, collagenases are widely available in the marketplace. Most of them are purified from C. histolyticum cloned gene synthesized in Escherichia coli.

When collagen is heated during stock preparation (or supplement synthesis), it is partially denatured, making it easier for digestive enzymes to further digest it into the smaller, bioactive components we require.

KEY BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN

Youthful, Smooth & Supple Skin
Reduced Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Increased Firmness & Elasticity
Deeply Hydrated Skin, For a Rested & Refreshed look
Improved Skin Texture & Tone

What does Science say When Heat Is Applied To Collagen Supplements?

Collagen supplements are safe to use while cooking at low to moderate temperatures. Collagen proteins are stable up to 572°F (300°C) because they may fold and unfurl in response to changing temperatures.

Does Heating Affect Collagen Differently For Each Type Of Collagen?

More amino acids contribute to a peptide's stability. Types I and III collagen, which may be found in our bovine and marine collagen products, are the most resistant to high temperatures because of the high amino acid content. Type I collagen is the primary type of collagen found in marine organisms, while Type III collagen is seen in bovine collagen. Type I collagen is responsible for the strengthening and smoothing of skin and hair.

Also Read: Why Your Exercise Routine Should Include Collagen

Temperature Effect On Collagen Supplements & Cooking

Research published under the title "Thermal Denaturation Studies of Collagen by Microthermal Analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy" found that it took 572°F (which is 300°C – the measurement used in the study) For collagen samples to start deteriorating. The majority of home ovens, however, are not capable of reaching such high temperatures, or you can say - you would need a pizza oven for those temps.

Also Read: Why We Need Collagen Every Day in Today's Fast-Paced World

Temperature Effect On Collagen Supplements & Coffee

The high temperatures in coffee may degrade collagen, so adding it may not be safe. In addition, exposure to high temperatures, acids, bases, or a combination of the three can cause small structural changes in proteins. This is crucial because collagen peptides are frequently extracted from animal skins by soaking them in an acidic or alkaline solution. To extract as much collagen peptides as possible from the hides, they are boiled in water at temperatures up to 190°F (88°C).

Therefore, collagen supplements on the market have been denatured or partially pre-digested to increase intestine absorption. However, a further breakdown can occur via degradation if the collagen protein is heated to even higher degrees. The protein's changed form may make the supplement ineffective. According to a study, collagen proteins degraded rapidly between 302 and 788 °F (150 and 420 °C).

On the other hand, coffee is often brewed from 195 °F to 205 °F (90 and 96°C). Collagen powder is stable up to 150°C (302°F), so adding it to your coffee won't hurt its quality.

Also Read: How To Add Collagen To Your Skincare For Unlimited Beauty Benefits

The Takeaway

Collagen supplements have received much interest over the past few years due to their multiple health benefits, such as excellent skin elasticity, fewer wrinkles, and reduced joint pain. However, according to the study, adding collagen powder to 195–205 of (90–96°C) heating did not affect the supplement's quality.

Incorporating collagen supplements into a balanced diet may be wise. For example, adding our collagen power to your morning protein shake can stimulate your body to produce more collagen, which will help your skin retain moisture and give you a more youthful appearance.

Note: Like any other vitamin, in case of a medical issue, it's best to check with your doctor before adding collagen to your daily routine.

FAQ

Does digestion break down collagen?

Amino acids are derived from collagen during digestion and transported to parts of the body that are deficient in protein. However, several collagen-boosting products are recommended as part of a balanced diet.

Can you cook at temperatures above 572°F?

Collagen begins to break down irreversibly at temperatures exceeding 572°F. 572 °F is hotter than most ovens' broil settings, so you shouldn't have any problems unless you cook collagen protein with a blowtorch.

How does collagen react to heat?

At temperatures above normal body temperature, collagen degrades into plain old gelatin, the stuff in Jell-O (jelly).

Should collagen be consumed with hot or cold coffee?

Collagen does not become denatured when heated. Gelatine, another name for collagen powder, is easiest to dissolve in hot drinks like coffee, tea, or chocolate. Jelly is made by cooling coffee, tea, or chocolate. Instead of swallowing glasses of jelly, sip it hot.