How vegan collagen alternatives work and how effective they really are
Collagen is one of the most important anti-ageing substances. It is a structural protein that supports the elasticity and firmness of the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles. There are many beauty drinks with collagen - including more and more products with "vegan collagen". We explain what's in the vegan collagen boosters and give tips on what to look out for when choosing plant-based collagen alternatives.
Anyone looking for anti-ageing or better-ageing products for the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles will increasingly come across the term "vegan collagen". This term suggests that these are dietary supplements containing collagen - only without animal ingredients. However, this is not true. To understand this better, let's first explain what collagen is and what we need it for.
Collagen is an important structural protein that our body produces itself. It provides support for joints, muscles and tendons and ensures that the skin and connective tissue remain elastic. From around the age of 25, however, the body's own collagen production decreases. The skin becomes flabbier, the first wrinkles appear and the connective tissue loses its firmness. The collagen content in the joints, muscles and tendons also decreases with age.
Dietary supplements containing collagen can help to delay this process. However, as collagen is of animal origin, these products are not suitable for vegans.
People who want to promote inner beauty and health and at the same time value vegan products for ethical or sustainable reasons can turn to plant-based collagen alternatives. The vegan beauty drinks contain proteins or amino acids and selected vital substances that support the body's own collagen production and therefore promote inner beauty and health.
Better ageing is a holistic approach to slowing down the external, physical and mental ageing process. This is where vegan combinations of vital substances with plant-based collagen alternatives come in. Many vegan collagen alternatives contain soya, pea or wheat proteins as a base. We explain why vegan beauty drinks with hydrolysed rice protein are the better alternatives.
Proteins are made up of amino acids. There are 21 of these so-called proteinogenic amino acids. Peptide compounds link the amino acids to form chains. Chains with up to 100 amino acids are called peptides. Above 100 amino acids they are called proteins.
During the hydrolysis of the rice protein, the peptide bonds are broken down. In other words, the proteins are broken down into smaller peptides. We explain the advantages of this in the article.
Hydrolysed rice protein has great potential as a better-ageing vital substance. The positive effects of hydrolysed rice protein that have been proven by studies include
High-quality vegan vital substance combinations also contain other vital substances that can contribute to more vitality, vital energy and radiant beauty. These include vegan glucosamine sulphate, hyaluronic acid and a range of vitamins and minerals.
Another plant-based vital substance that stimulates collagen production is vegan glucosamine sulphate. It also promotes the production of hyaluronic acid and is an important component of synovial fluid and cartilage. Vegan glucosamine sulphate is therefore an ideal addition to hydrolysed rice protein in vegan beauty drinks.
Vegan glucosamine sulphate is produced through the fermentation of GMO-free maize. Special fungi convert the sugar (glucose) it contains into glucosamine. There are various glucosamine salts. Glucosamine sulphate is the most effective form, as human cartilage contains sulphates (sulphur compounds).
Collagen is the most important structural protein. It provides support for joints, muscles and tendons and promotes the elasticity of skin and connective tissue. This is why collagen is also found in so many beauty drinks. However, as conventional collagen comes from animal sources, these are not suitable for vegans.
For those who value vegan products for ethical or sustainable reasons, plant-based collagen alternatives are a good choice. An ideal plant-based collagen alternative is hydrolysed rice protein. It is hypoallergenic and has a similar amino acid composition to human collagen. The body can therefore utilise rice protein hydrolysate very well.
In addition to hydrolysed rice protein, there are other important vital substances that maintain attractiveness, vital energy and vitality. These include vegan glucosamine sulphate, for example, as well as various vitamins and minerals. High-quality food supplements with plant-based collagen alternatives have a balanced ratio of these vital substances.
