Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It is the structural protein of skin, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage. What makes it special: it is rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.

Good to know: the body's natural collagen production gradually declines with age. This is a normal process.

Supplements use collagen powder or collagen peptides. See them as an easy way to add amino acids to your day, not as a promise. The QNT range offers four formats: a powder you dose yourself, capsules and two ready-to-drink beverages.

Marine collagen comes from fish skin and scales, bovine collagen from cattle hide and bones. Both mainly provide type I collagen and are sold hydrolyzed, as peptides. The difference is their origin.

In the QNT range, Collagen Care, Protein Water and Energy Collagen Matcha contain bovine collagen, as their ingredient lists state. In practice:

• their collagen does not come from fish;
• they are not suitable for vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian diets;
• Collagen Care provides type I and III collagen, 11 g per 15 g serving.

For each product, the ingredient list is the reference.

You will often see the terms hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides: they mean the same thing. Native collagen is a very large molecule. Hydrolysis, a controlled breakdown that is usually enzymatic, cuts it into much shorter chains called peptides.

The benefit is practical: these peptides are soluble, so they dissolve in a drink. That is why most collagen supplements are hydrolyzed. At QNT you find them as a powder in Collagen Care and as capsules in Hydrolyzed Collagen 500 mg.

The right dose is the one on the label of the product you choose:

• Collagen Care: 15 g of powder per day, which is 11 g of collagen;
• Hydrolyzed Collagen 500 mg, Protein Water and Energy Collagen Matcha: follow the dose on the label.

Collagen is taken over time: one serving every day for several weeks, rather than now and then. Pick the format you will stick with easily, because consistency is what counts.

There is no ideal time: the best time to take your collagen is the one you won't forget. Morning, after training or evening, consistency matters more than timing.

Collagen Care is mixed into a large glass of water, the capsules are taken with water, and Protein Water and Energy Collagen Matcha are ready to drink.

Collagen Care also contains 50 mg of vitamin C per serving. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones, cartilage and gums.

Energy Collagen Matcha contains caffeine (32 mg per 100 ml): it is not recommended for children or for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

The QNT collagen range has four products. Choose according to your lifestyle:

• Collagen Care: the powder to mix into water, with 11 g of bovine collagen, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid per serving;
• Hydrolyzed Collagen 500 mg: the capsules, no preparation and easy to carry;
• Protein Water: a sparkling, ready-to-drink protein water made with bovine collagen peptides;
• Energy Collagen Matcha: a sparkling matcha drink with bovine collagen and caffeine (80 mg per 250 ml can).

QNT is a Belgian brand that has been manufacturing food supplements since 1992.

Collagen is for adults, active or not, who want to top up their intake of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.

It can fit into the routine of:

• athletes and active people, on top of a complete protein for muscle, not instead of it;
• adults who pay attention to their diet and want one simple serving a day.

Collagen is not a medicine and does not replace a varied and balanced diet. Collagen Care and Energy Collagen Matcha are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are on medication, ask a healthcare professional.