Collagen is one of the trendiest things in the health and beauty world right now. We see collagen lattes, collagen powder, and collagen pills. You can add collagen to your smoothies, your coffee, even baked goods. But, what exactly is collagen?

Collagen is known to help with skin, hair, and nails. It is the protein responsible for skin elasticity and provides support in connective tissue, muscle, and skin. It also can help with joint and bone health.

Our bodies naturally create collagen, but adding it to your diet emphasizes these benefits. Adding collagen to your diet is especially important as we get older as our bodies produce less collagen over time. That is why collagen has been found to help with slowing wrinkles. Collagen supplements, a popular and easy choice to get in the protein, go through hydrolyzation, which breaks down the collagen and makes it easier for the body to absorb.

Collagen has become very popular in the beauty world because of its benefits on the skin. In addition to its anti-wrinkle effects, collagen helps to improve the general appearance and youthfulness of your skin. Studies found that women who regularly consumed collagen found their wrinkles decreasing and skin hydration improving. Collagen also helps with your hair health, by promoting healthy hair growth. It helps with nail growth too, as well as reducing your anxiety and improving your mood.

So, if you’re on the fence about whether or not to jump on the collagen bandwagon, I say you give it a try. You might find that your hair, skin, and nails all improve before you even know it.