Collagen is one of the most important structural proteins in the human body. It is essential for the strength and elasticity of the skin, bones, cartilage, muscles and blood vessels. In dietary supplements, collagen most commonly appears as collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen. Although both forms originate from the same raw material, they differ in their level of processing, molecular structure and how they function in supplementation.
What is hydrolyzed collagen?
Hydrolyzed collagen is produced through a process called hydrolysis, which breaks down long collagen fibres into shorter protein chains. As a result, collagen becomes easier to use in food products and dietary supplements, while maintaining its original amino acid profile.
Thanks to the hydrolysis process, hydrolysed collagen has a more neutral taste and significantly better solubility. This makes it particularly convenient for everyday use, especially in powdered supplements added to water, drinks or smoothies, as well as in liquid collagen products designed for regular supplementation.
What are collagen peptides?
Collagen peptides are short chains of protein obtained through the enzymatic breakdown of collagen. Thanks to advanced processing methods, their molecules are very small - typically ranging from 500 to 2,000 Daltons - which clearly distinguishes them from standard hydrolyzed collagen.
This difference can be explained with a simple comparison:
- native collagen is like a whole vegetable - nutritious, but difficult for the body to process,
- hydrolyzed collagen is the vegetable already chopped - easier to use,
- collagen peptides are like a ready-made salad - the portions are so small and well structured that the body can absorb and use them immediately.
Hydrolyzed collagen benefits
Hydrolyzed collagen is a source of characteristic amino acids such as glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. These amino acids occur in much higher amounts in collagen proteins than in most other dietary protein sources, including meat or dairy products.
Thanks to the hydrolysis process, collagen becomes easier to dissolve and more practical to use as part of daily supplementation. Hydrolyzed collagen supplements are available in various forms, including powders, capsules, tablets and ready-to-drink shots, making them easy to incorporate into everyday routines.
In supplements, hydrolysed collagen is often combined with additional nutrients that support its use in the body, such as:
- vitamin C, which plays a role in collagen synthesis,
- vitamin D, which supports normal bone and muscle function,
- minerals, including zinc and copper, commonly found in food and supplements.
In the context of beauty and wellbeing, hydrolyzed collagen benefits are often discussed by people looking to enrich their diet with protein naturally present in collagen fibres. The amino acids provided through supplementation may contribute to daily nutritional intake, supporting the maintenance of healthy hair, nails and elastic skin as key components of the body’s protein structures.
Difference between hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides
Although hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides come from the same protein source, they differ in several important aspects that are worth considering when choosing a supplement. These differences mainly relate to their structure, absorption, bioavailability and the way they are used by the body.
Understanding the difference between collagen and collagen peptides makes it easier to see how various forms of collagen can be incorporated into everyday nutrition. While both provide characteristic collagen amino acids, their level of processing influences how efficiently they dissolve, absorb and fit into daily dietary routines.
Absorption and bioavailability
- Hydrolyzed collagen is produced through hydrolysis, a process that breaks long collagen fibres into shorter fragments. This makes the protein easier to use in food products and dietary supplements, while improving its solubility and practicality in daily use.
- Collagen peptides are also created through hydrolysis, but they undergo an additional, carefully controlled enzymatic process. As a result, they have a smaller and more uniform molecular weight, typically between 500 and 2,000 Daltons. This is why collagen peptides are often regarded as a form with very high bioavailability.
Function and role in the body
Both forms provide amino acids that are characteristic of collagen, including glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. The key difference lies in the degree of breakdown and molecular standardisation. Collagen peptides consist of very small, uniform fragments, which improves their solubility and makes them particularly easy to use in supplements. Hydrolysed collagen, while slightly less standardised in structure, also delivers collagen-specific amino acids that can be incorporated into daily nutrition as part of a balanced diet.
Hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides - benefits and possible effects
Collagen supplementation is commonly chosen by people who want to enrich their diet with protein that has a unique amino acid profile. In studies of the Primabiotic Collagen supplement, after 90 days of supplementation, participants reported various observations related to so-called “beauty effects”, which may be associated with the daily intake of collagen amino acids.
Reported effects of collagen supplementation:
- Skin - participants using the supplement reported improved skin firmness and elasticity, as well as reduced visibility of wrinkles and cellulite.
- Hair - study participants observed improvements in hair thickness and overall condition.
- Nails - supplementation was associated with reported improvements in the appearance of the nail plate.
- Musculoskeletal system - collagen is a component of cartilage and connective tissue, which is why its supplementation is popular among physically active individuals.
- Daily diet - amino acids from collagen form part of a balanced protein intake in the everyday diet.
Instrumental testing and questionnaire-based research conducted in an independent laboratory on a group of adult participants showed that individuals using Primabiotic Collagen for three months reported observations in the areas listed above. Results may vary depending on diet, lifestyle and individual factors.
Hydrolyzed collagen supplements - which type to choose?
There are various types of hydrolysed collagen available on the market. Interestingly, each type occurs naturally in different tissues of the human body and plays a slightly different structural role. In dietary supplements, type I, II and III collagen are the most commonly used.
Nearly 28 types of collagen have been identified in total; however, types I, II and III are the ones most frequently included in collagen supplements.
Type I hydrolyzed collagen
Type I collagen is the most abundant type in the human body. It is found in the skin, bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments, vascular tissues and organs. This type of collagen is primarily responsible for the tensile strength of the tissues in which it occurs, as well as for bone rigidity. In supplements, it is most commonly sourced from fish or cattle.
Type II hydrolyzed collagen
Type II collagen is found mainly in articular cartilage and in the vitreous body of the eye. In dietary supplements, it is most often derived from chicken cartilage.
Type III hydrolyzed collagen
Type III collagen occurs primarily in the skin, muscles and blood vessels, often alongside type I collagen.
The Primabiotic Collagen supplement contains type I, II and III collagen. This makes it possible to supplement the diet with amino acids characteristic of the skin, hair, nails and connective tissue.
Collagen peptides - which form of supplementation is best?
The most commonly chosen option is liquid collagen peptides. These collagen supplements offer several advantages:
- Convenience of use - orning to a smoothie, yoghurt or juice, or by consuming them on their own as a convenient shot.
- Good solubility - thanks to their small molecular size, collagen peptides dissolve quickly, which makes them easy to use in drinks and foods.
- Easy combination with other ingredients - liquid supplements often contain additional vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, which may support the absorption of amino acids and help diversify the diet.
- Daily habits - the liquid form is practical for people with an active lifestyle who value quick and convenient solutions.
- Variety of flavours and portions - products are available in neutral or fruity flavour options, allowing supplementation to be tailored to individual preferences.
Thanks to these features, collagen peptides in liquid form are becoming a popular choice among people who want an easy way to supplement their diet with amino acids characteristic of collagen proteins and incorporate them into their daily dietary and self-care routines.
Key differences between hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides
Although both hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides come from the same protein source, they differ in several important characteristics that affect their use in supplements and in the daily diet:
- Source - both products originate from the same natural collagen protein, which can be obtained from various sources such as fish, cattle or chicken cartilage. The differences between them do not relate to origin, but to further processing.
- Production process - hydrolyzed collagen is produced through standard hydrolysis, which breaks collagen fibres into shorter protein fragments. Collagen peptides undergo additional, controlled enzymatic processing, resulting in very short amino acid chains with a uniform structure. This process makes collagen peptides easier to dissolve and more suitable for use in liquid form.
- Molecular size - collagen peptides have smaller molecules, typically in the range of 500–2000 Daltons, which makes them easier to dissolve and incorporate into drinks and foods. Hydrolyzed collagen consists of larger protein fragments, although still easier to use than native collagen.
- Form of supplementation - hydrolyzed collagen is available in powders, capsules and tablets, which can be easily added to meals or taken on their own. Collagen peptides are particularly popular in liquid form, such as powders dissolved in water, juice or smoothies, as well as ready-to-drink liquid shots, which makes daily use more convenient and easier to include in the diet.
- Daily use and convenience - liquid collagen peptides are practical for people with an active lifestyle who value quick and convenient solutions. They can be easily combined with other ingredients, such as vitamin C or minerals, allowing for a more comprehensive supplementation of collagen-specific amino acids in the diet.
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