Sports nutrition & collagen: what the experts say

One of the hot topics in sports nutrition is the issue of injuries. Both elite athletes and weekend warriors face injuries, ranging from severe, long-term tendon damage to everyday challenges. For any active person, injuries are often a continuous cycle. In fact, Prof. Zwerver highlights that around 50% of runners, from casual to competitive, experience Achilles problems. These are often a result of impact and wear and tear. And they can slow down training. That’s why preventive solutions, such as those containing collagen, can be useful. As Dr. da Silva points out, studies have indicated that collagen consumption before intense exercise can support athletic activities.  For instance, 

Collagen’s sports nutrition benefits are well-documented, with a broad body of scientific studies highlighting its positive impact on joints, bones, cartilage, tendons, and recovery. There are also promising new research areas of study, such as gut health. While gut health may seem like a topic that’s far away from muscle-building protein shakes, it is a major challenge for many sports people. Dr. Clifford notes that up to 50% of runners, for example, face gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, which increase as training intensity rises. In his own research, Dr. Clifford examines collagen’s role in GI issues. While it is still a growing area of study, some of the initial results are positive. In a placebo-controlled study, scientists observed that taking 10 g of Peptan for 7 days, followed by intake 45 minutes before a 70-minute run, led to a reduction in the increase of blood endotoxin levels. Endotoxin levels, a known marker of inflammation, were measured two hours after the run.¹

Peak performance involves more than just muscles; it’s also about sleep. Many athletes struggle with sleep, impacting their readiness for important events. However, a groundbreaking new study suggests that collagen peptides can influence sleep and cognitive performance.² Researchers observed that collagen peptides supplementation, specifically 15 g of Peptan taken 60 minutes before sleep for a week, improved sleep quality. Additionally, the morning after the trial, participants who ingested Peptan scored higher in the baseline Stroop cognitive test, indicating improved response accuracy.

As Dr. da Silva notes, collagen is everywhere in the human body, and there is much it can do; we are still uncovering its benefits. As we move forward, it’s likely that scientists and manufacturers can both play a role in focusing on specific new benefits, drawing more attention to them in the mainstream. As Florencia Moreno Torres, Global Business Development Manager Health & Nutrition, noted in her presentation at the event, we are discovering even more about harnessing the power of collagen peptides. For instance, one recent study demonstrated that partly substituting 44.4% of a whey protein product with Peptan produces comparable results in both exercise performance and recovery following intense physical activity – offering a way towards alternative solutions.³