Hydrolyzed collagen, also known as collagen peptides or hydrolysate, is a form of collagen that has been broken down into smaller, easy-to-process particles. Collagen is a protein found in the body of all animals, including humans, and it makes up connective tissue such as skin, tendons, cartilage, organs, and bones. Hydrolysis is a chemical process that breaks proteins down into their smaller parts, the amino acids or peptides. Hydrolyzed collagen is available in the form of dietary supplement powders, and it is used in products designed to heal everything from skin on the outside to joint pain on the inside.

Some benefits of hydrolyzed collagen include:

• Joint health: Studies show that hydrolyzed collagen can help strengthen joints and reduce pain caused by conditions like osteoarthritis.
• Skin health: Collagen supplements may benefit the skin by reducing certain markers of aging, increasing skin hydration and elasticity, and boosting collagen density.
• Bone health: Collagen is a component of bone, and some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help improve bone density.
• Muscle mass: Some research suggests that collagen supplements may help increase muscle mass in older adults.

It is important to note that most studies showing improvement with collagen consumption have used high-dose collagen hydrolysate supplements, and it is unclear whether simply increasing dietary intake of collagen-rich foods would have the same effect. While research is still in the early stages, more research is needed to determine if other sources of collagen in other forms help too.