Cows and pigs have higher amounts of collagen in the legs, chest, and rump. Pork is generally more tender than beef because pigs are usually slaughtered at a younger age than cows, and so their muscles are less developed and have less collagen than do those of cows.
In food, collagen is found mostly in the “odd bits” and tougher cuts. For example, in beef, the most collagen is found in the bones, cartilage, ligaments, and skin.
Chicken (bone-in with the skin)
Don't automatically reach for a boneless, skinless chicken breast when you're at the store. If you're looking for a collagen boost, choose cuts with the bones and skin—that's where the collagen is.
Pork shoulder, or pork butt, is the most well-worked muscle in the pig. Which means it also contains the most collagen. Cuts of the shoulder include shoulder chops and shoulder roasts. These cuts might be seared, grilled or pan fried.
Type I collagen is the most abundant form of collagen in the body and is found in tendons, ligaments, skin, bones, teeth, hair and nails. Marine collagen helps the skin repair itself. The trauma to the healthy tissues causes the growth of thick, fibrous tissues at the wound site, commonly known as scar tissue.
As I mentioned above, you want the joints of knuckle bones for beef. These are the primary movers and weight bearing bones that do the most work. As a result, they have the most collagen and connective tissue. For chicken, you want feet, wings and drumsticks.
Wild salmon may be the perfect collagen-boosting food. It's loaded with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and copper. And eating the skin also provides even more natural collagen[*].
Collagen rich foods: Eggs
Unfortunately, egg whites and egg yolks don't actually contain collagen. Instead, it's the shell membrane of the egg which can help to boost collagen levels.
Zinc. Zinc, a cofactor in the production of collagen, plays a vital role in collagen synthesis. This mineral is essential to cell repair and helps protect collagen in the body from damage. Zinc deficiency can reduce the amount of collagen produced, therefore getting adequate amounts is important!
Which Fruits Have The Most Collagen? Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit are known for being foods high in collagen-producing properties.
Bone broth
Dr. Bradley says her favorite collagen-boosting brew is bone broth.
Studies have also found that the sterolins in avocado oil can significantly increase the amount of collagen in the skin. Collagen breaks down as we age, making avocado oil an excellent skincare addition for people with mature skin.
d) Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds and sesame seeds are rich sources of zinc and copper that promote collagen synthesis in the body [13] [14].
Carrots. Carrots are a rich source of beta carotene and vitamin A which are amazing when it comes to boosting the production of collagen. Carrots are also great for improving skin elasticity and increase blood flow to the skin.
Some studies have shown that supplemental collagen is beneficial for skin health, including tightening sagging skin, boosting hydration, and lessening the appearance of wrinkles.
Caffeine suppresses collagen production by preventing cell growth and interfering with the development of cartilage. In turn, this affects the ability to make new collagen and the genes involved in maturing cartilage cells. One study found that caffeine reduces collagen synthesis in human skin.
Collagen powder supplements are surging in popularity due to their anti-aging skin benefits. But, can collagen actually reverse wrinkles? The answer is yes.
Collagen is distinctly produced by animals and not plants, as it's found in animal parts including bones, hooves, tendons and skin/hides (the same parts that are used to make real bone broth).
Dairy products are high in protein and help with collagen production. In this case, cheese, yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese are very good. Like meat, they should be consumed in moderation because they are also rich in fat.
The best type of collagen for health benefits relating to your bones is type I collagen. Type I collagen is a protein and it helps form our bones, skin, and other tissues. Type I collagen comes from humans and animals, and is found in our bodies. Marine collagen sources are typically the best source of type I collagen.