We often receive questions from our customers about whether the properties of Hydrolyzed Collagen RealFood are affected when it's added to their hot drinks or to food that's being cooked. In this article, we address these concerns by explaining what happens to the supplement when heated.
The short answer is – No. Hydrolyzed collagen does not lose its beneficial properties when heated. You can read a more detailed explanation below.
What Is Collagen Denaturation?
Collagen molecules have a specific three-dimensional structure that is essential to their function and stability. This structure is often described as a 3D helix, in which three polypeptide chains wind around one another.
Collagen denaturation is a process in which this natural structure of the collagen proteins is altered, usually as a result of external factors such as heat or oxidation, which can lead to a change in its properties. Heat is a common denaturing factor.
How Is Hydrolyzed Collagen Protected From Denaturation During Cooking?
The structure of hydrolyzed collagen allows it to retain all of its beneficial properties, and even when added to food during cooking, it delivers the same benefits to the body without losing its integrity. Because the collagen peptides have already undergone a processing step (hydrolysis), their bioactivity no longer depends on an undenatured 3D protein structure. The amino acid chains are shortened into smaller peptide compounds.
There are a number of studies on this topic, including one conducted by Dr. Ann Maris, Business Development Manager at the European medicines evaluation agency, which subjected the Hydrolyzed Collagen from RealFood to heat. It was tested at temperatures up to 121°C, and the results showed that all of its beneficial properties were preserved.
In simpler terms – once collagen is hydrolyzed, it is protected from the harmful effects of heat processing, and its properties remain intact. Collagen peptides are remarkably resistant to heating from external factors. What's more, when cooking at home, it's difficult to push the food's own temperature above 121°C anyway.
Our Recipes With Hydrolyzed Collagen From RealFood
On our blog, every week we inspire you with a variety of recipes for delicious dishes and drinks that we enrich with collagen. There we show that you can add your daily dose of collagen to almost any food or drink. That way, you can fit the supplement into the rhythm of a busy everyday life without worrying about its beneficial properties. If you're still concerned about the temperature level, you can measure it as a precaution with a cooking thermometer.
