It wasn’t long ago that collagen was almost exclusively tied to the beauty world or the anti-ageing sphere. In fact, it distinguished itself in the realm of sports nutrition as late as a few years back. Now, it is properly being celebrated for its numerous benefits, including the enhancement of joint health, muscle recovery, and athletic performance. New formulations featuring collagen are being made in the sports nutrition industry, as it aims to satisfy the needs of athletes and fitness lovers.
Why Collagen is Gaining Ground in Sports Nutrition
Athletes’ training sessions result in microtears of their muscles and stress on their ligaments and cartilage, all of which contribute to intense physical strain. For recovery and muscle growth, athletes have traditionally relied on protein sources such as whey and casein. Collagen supplementation may be more effective for recovery as it targets connective tissues, tendons, and joints.
In athletes dealing with physical strain on their joints, a 2021 study in the British Journal of Nutrition noted the marked improvements in collagen peptide supplementation effects on relieving joint pain and improving mobility. Furthermore, collagen contains glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, amino acids necessary for the repair of connective tissue. This positions collagen as the perfect complement to the proteins already used in sports nutrition.
Source: British Journal of Nutrition (2021)
Collagen and Performance: What Research Says
When it comes to sports performance, it’s not just about building muscle. You also have to improve your speed, flexibility, and durability. Research highlights collagen’s impact on all these:
- Joint Health: There is evidence that collagen supplementation reduces the likelihood of joint injuries. A 24-week study performed on athletes showed that those who took 10 g of collagen peptides daily experienced less joint pain than the participants who did not.
- Muscle Mass Support: In older adults, collagen along with resistance training has resulted in better muscle mass and strength—a benefit that athletes stand to gain as well.
- Recovery from Injury: Collagen supports the repair of tendons and ligaments injured during high-intensity sports, so it helps speed up recovery.
(Source: PubMed Clinical Trial, 2020)
Market Insights: Collagen’s Rapid Growth
Collagen supplements have shown an increase in demand just as sports nutrition is seeing growth. Sports nutrition is seeing an increase in demand just as brands are innovating with collagen-enriched protein powders and ready-to-drink beverages. The collagen market globally is worth $4.7 billion in 2023, with an expected cumulative growth rate of 6.8%, it should be worth $7.4 billion in 2030.
This growth can be attributed to the following:
– Growing awareness of holistic health among athletes.
– An overall change in attitude towards healthcare and preventive injury measures.
– Increased innovation in product development with multifaceted formulations.
Source: Grand View Research, 2023
Why Athletes Are Choosing Collagen
Exercise enthusiasts, gym goers, and dieters opt for collagen due to:
- Training and Joint Support: Minimizing the wear and tear usually seen after repetitive training.
- Muscle Recovery: Facilitating faster recovery after intense workouts.
- Wellness and Gut Fitness: Collagen peptides help to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption, which is vital for performance.
- Complete Wellness: Unlike whey, collagen helps with skin, hair, and nails, which is great for lifestyle care.
Formulation Challenges and Innovations
With the lack of tryptophan, an important amino acid, collagen is not complete and hence, it is necessary to blend it with other proteins such as whey, rice, and pea proteins, which are used to create complete sports nutrition products.
In addition, new technological developments are improving how collagen can be used:
- Peptides of Hydrolyzed Collagen: Increase solubility and absorption.
- Flavored Collagen Blends: Help resolve taste issues for greater consumer acceptance.
- Functional Additives: Combining collagen with vitamin C to improve collagen synthesis.
- Future Outlook: Collagen’s Place in Sports Nutrition
Looking ahead, sports nutrition will undoubtedly continue to include collagen. The purity and science-backed benefits of collagen make it especially valuable in today’s nutrition for athletes. Its widespread use in different product types—ready-to-drink beverages, gummies, powders, and even gels—also ensures its expansion.
Zeon Lifesciences Role
The collagen craze has recently exploded in the sports nutrition industry, and with it, nutrition companies need dependable partners for contract manufacturing who can supply innovative and proven formulas. Leading the charge with its cutting-edge research and development and nutraceutical contract manufacturing capabilities is Zeon Lifesciences in meeting the growing need for performance, recovery, and general wellness, Zeon assists brands in fulfilling consumer demands by producing tailored collagen-based sports nutrition products.
References:
Clark, K. L., Sebastianelli, W., Flechsenhar, K. R., Aukermann, D. F., Meza, F., Millard, R. L., … & Deitch, J. R. (2008). 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 24(5), 1485–1496. https://doi.org/10.1185/030079908X291967
Shaw, G., Lee-Barthel, A., Ross, M. L., Wang, B., & Baar, K. (2017). Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 105(1), 136–143. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.116.138594
Grand View Research. (2023). Collagen Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Source, By Product, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023–2030. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/collagen-market
FMCG Gurus. (2022). Consumer perceptions of collagen and functional health ingredients – Global Survey Report. Retrieved from https://fmcggurus.com
Good Health for All”
Zeon is serving with over three decades of experience in the industry, we are working meticulously to bring knowledge of nature with innovation and advanced technology in the form of unique combinations to our consumers. Our in-house formulae and manufactured products are for all age groups in various SKUs such as Powders, Diskettes, Tablets, Capsules, Oral liquids, Caplets, Sprays, Drops, Herbal Juices, etc.
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