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If you're one of those people who exercise regularly, you probably know that the workout itself isn't the only thing that matters. How you eat and what you take in after physical exertion is just as important, because it helps your muscles and joints recover and become healthier. How do you do that? By including collagen in your daily diet...
Why collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and a key building block of bones, joints, and connective tissue. In our diet, collagen comes from collagen-rich animal organs, skin, animal fats, and bone broth. Unfortunately, thanks to modern food processing, which focuses on soft, skinless and boneless meat, it's now very difficult to get the amount of collagen you need naturally. That's why you need to add collagen to your diet in the form of a dietary supplement.
In the long run, constant exercise and the natural aging process lead to collagen degradation in the body. This breakdown is slow, and progressive developments and symptoms, such as joint pain, appear only at an advanced stage. That's why, to avoid this, people who exercise regularly and professional athletes take collagen every day.
How does collagen affect your body after a workout?
If you're still wondering what collagen does for your body, here are 5 things that happen when you take collagen after a workout:
It reduces inflammation in the muscles
When you run long distances or lift weights, the strain you put on your body leads to inflammation of the tissues. Collagen helps promote a healthy inflammatory response by speeding up the "repair" of connective tissues that have been damaged.
It promotes joint health
If you run regularly, then you know how much strain that puts on your joints. Regular collagen intake strengthens your joint health and reduces discomfort during more intense exertion.
It helps reduce tendon and joint injuries
Tendons consist almost entirely of collagen (75 percent). Taking it regularly helps restore these important connective tissues when they're strained by physical activity. In addition, once you start training regularly, your muscles can potentially grow faster than these connective tissues, which can lead to pain and injury. Collagen helps keep them flexible and able to expand when needed.
It helps maintain nitrogen balance
Bodybuilders often talk about how important it is to maintain a positive nitrogen balance. This balance is believed to put the body in an anabolic state, or the ideal state for achieving muscle growth. Studies show that consistent collagen intake helps maintain the body's nitrogen balance.
Collagen reduces body fat
Collagen consumed before and after a workout helps maintain and restore the protein content of the muscles. Collagen peptides, made up of 20% glycine and 8% arginine, can support creatine synthesis in the body. Creatine has been shown to help improve performance during short bursts of exercise, thereby helping athletes increase muscle mass and reduce body fat percentage.
How to include collagen in your daily routine?
You can add a spoonful to your breakfast, or mix it with your favorite orange juice. You can add it to a smoothie or yogurt. You can turn it into a salad dressing or simply sprinkle it over an already prepared salad. The possibilities are endless. And whichever one you choose, you can rest assured that you're giving your body the dose of collagen it needs to stay healthy.
