What’s the Deal with Collagen?

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What’s the Deal with Collagen?

There seems to be a new nutrition trend every week that promises improvement to your life. With the dieting industry being a 70-billion-dollar industry, it can be hard to believe what is based on true science. Most new trends are a ploy to get us to spend money based on our insecurities about how we look or feel. Collagen has been a trendy topic for the past few years. It is worth our while?

What is it? Collagen is a protein in skin, joints, and other parts of the body. There are three main types. Type one and three are found in skin while type two is found in joints.

Why take it? It is believed that taking collagen can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. It also may improve join pain and flexibility. However, the evidence is inconclusive and needs further testing. It may take two to six months of daily use in order to see improvement in these areas.

Interested in seeing if it works for you? Consumer labs (CL) tested a variety of collagen supplements and came up with their top picks. If you are interested in seeing if it works for you, give it a try.

For skin. CL found Trunature Healthy Skin Verisol Collagen capsules and Besha Inc. Collagen Peptides powder to be the best. Both contain the ingredient Verisol which has shown a modest improvement in wrinkles after eight weeks. Verisol is sourced from pigs, so keep this in mind if you have dietary restrictions.

For joints. CL choose Healthy Origins Natural UC-II as their top pick, This supplement comes in capsule form and is thought to help temper immune reactions that cause inflammation and joint pain. Studies are small but promising.

What else should you be aware of? Collagen supplements are generally well-tolerated by most. However, mild gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, dizziness, and rash can happen. If you plan to try a supplement, talk with your doctor, and check to be sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.

Information gathered & adapted from: https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0319p26.shtml
and https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Collagen_Supplements_Review_Peptides_Hydrolysate/collagen/?&login=success

Blueberry Corn Muffins

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups corn meal

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 Tablespoons orange zest

2 whole eggs

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 cup milk of choice

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Mix dry ingredients plus orange zest in large bowl. Make a small “well” in the dry ingredients and in the center add the egg, oil, milk and yogurt. Start mixing all the ingredients until you have a smooth well blended batter. Fold in the blueberries.

3. Fill greased muffin tins 3/4 of the way with batter and bake for 20 minutes. Check to make sure they are done by inserting a toothpick in the center. If the toothpick comes out with batter on it, continue to bake until toothpick comes out dry.

4. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Serving Size: 1 muffin

Nutrition Information per Serving: 239.9 calories, 4.5 grams total fat, 2.1 grams of saturated fat, 44 grams carbohydrate, 2.4 grams fiber, 6.6 grams protein, 747.3 milligrams sodium, 83.4 milligrams potassium, 11.8 grams sugar

Recipe adapted from:

https://cookeatshare.com/recipes/blueberry-corn-muffins-343709