Thinking of ways to make your coffee healthy? Besides natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, some people experiment with MCT oil, butter, cocoa, and even spices. You may have also heard of collagen in coffee — an incredible hack for those who would love to experience the benefits of collagen.
In this article, we’ll explore whether adding collagen to coffee is possible, how this may help, how much collagen to add, and more.
Can You Add Collagen in Your Coffee?
The short answer is yes — there’s such a thing as coffee with collagen.
If you’re concerned about the proteins in collagen powder breaking down because of the hot temperature of the coffee, don’t worry. High-quality collagen peptides, Perfect Keto’s Barista Blend Collagen Creamer & MCTs for instance, are temperature stable.
One study found that collagen proteins’ initial degradation happens around 302 degrees Fahrenheit (*). Since coffee is usually brewed between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit, which is way below the point of initial degradation, your collagen drink should be fine (*).
We produce less collagen as we age, and this is where collagen supplements are beneficial.
Additionally, we can get more collagen in our diet by consuming foods containing collagen or the amino acids that form collagen. Examples are bone broth, beef, chicken with skin, salmon with skin, eggs, and sardines.
Benefits of Collagen in Coffee
Putting collagen in coffee helps you enjoy the benefits of easy-to-digest hydrolyzed collagen (also called collagen peptides) plus coffee, which contains antioxidants.
Starting your day with this healthful combination can:
Offer a convenient way to get collagen daily
The most obvious benefit of adding collagen powder in coffee is that it becomes a natural part of your day. By incorporating it into your morning coffee routine, you won’t have to think about taking collagen at a different time. For some people, the thought of having coffee first thing in the morning motivates them to get out of bed.
After all, caffeine is considered a nootropic — it increases your alertness, attention, and focus (*). Furthermore, coffee helps with weight loss, and its polyphenols (e.g., chlorogenic acids) possess antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, and antihypertensive properties (*).
Add collagen, and now you’ll have the best health and wellness drink.
Improve skin elasticity
Skin elasticity is the ability of your skin to bounce back in place when it’s stretched. A number of things cause a loss of skin elasticity, such as aging, UV exposure, pollution, a high-sugar diet, dehydration, and poor sleep.
Taking collagen is one way to improve skin elasticity, along with changes in your lifestyle. Besides putting collagen in coffee, why not pair it with strawberries or blueberries?
These low-carbohydrate berries taste especially great with coffee — plus they’re high in vitamin C, especially strawberries, which boosts collagen synthesis in your body (*).
Relieve joint pain
Collagen doesn’t only provide structure to your skin, but it also makes up the cartilage found in your knees and joints. Although you cannot measure collagen levels in your body, decreasing collagen manifests as joint pain and stiffness.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that collagen supplementation improves knee joint symptoms in subjects with osteoarthritis (*). In another study, athletes who were physically active took hydrolyzed collagen for activity-related joint pain. The results showed an improvement in joint pain (*).
Coffee, on the other hand, has anti-inflammatory properties which may help in reducing joint pain (*). This would make coffee with collagen a great way to support joint health.
Support muscle growth and recovery
Between collagen protein and whey protein, whey is definitely better for muscle protein synthesis and workout recovery. This is because whey has a complete amino acid profile and it has more branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that target the muscles (*).
However, those who want collagen powder for coffee can still experience the benefits that whey offers, perhaps to a lesser degree.
For individuals who love working out, here’s an idea: Combine collagen and coffee for a performance boost in the gym!
Whether you’re doing steady-state cardio, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or weight training — caffeine will increase your energy and cognitive function while collagen works to support your joints, especially during intense exercises.
Good for gut health
Another reason to put collagen in coffee is to promote a healthy gut. Research shows that collagen enhances tight junctions, which play an important role in your intestinal barrier (* , *).
Surprisingly, the caffeine in coffee helps by diversifying bacteria in the gut microbiome (*). Just make sure to avoid adding sugar to your collagen coffee — too much sugar reduces beneficial gut bacteria while also destroying collagen.
How Much Collagen Should You Add in Your Coffee?
Simply add one scoop of collagen peptide powder to your cup of coffee. Note that the amount of collagen in each scoop may vary depending on the product.
For example, our Barista Blend Collagen Creamer & MCTs has 4 grams of bovine collagen per scoop while our Keto Collagen has 10 grams of bovine collagen per scoop.
If you’re keen on collagen dosage, studies show that doses of 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen peptides per day are safe (*). On that note, check the amount of collagen you can get in one scoop of your protein powder so you’ll know how much to take in a day.
Will Collagen Alter Your Coffee’s Taste?
Most collagen powders are unflavored, so they shouldn’t change the taste of your coffee. However, it may affect its mouthfeel, giving it a creamy texture.
Those who prefer cream or milk to reduce bitterness may like this creamy feel as a result of adding collagen to coffee. In fact, more collagen creamers are available nowadays to give any hot coffee (sometimes even tea) a boost.
How to Make Collagen Coffee
Go beyond black coffee with these collagen recipes so that you’ll enjoy your morning or afternoon cup a little more!
Everyday Collagen Coffee
For starters, all that’s needed is your usual black coffee and a high-quality collagen powder or creamer (flavored or unflavored depending on your preference). Just add one scoop of collagen powder to your coffee and mix well.
Bulletproof Coffee with Collagen
Bulletproof coffee or “keto coffee” combines coffee and healthy fats like grass-fed butter and MCT oil for energy and mental clarity.
Take this to the next level by combining brewed coffee, 1 tablespoon of MCT oil, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1 scoop of collagen powder. Mix everything in a blender then pour into a mug.
Cinnamon Collagen Coffee Latte
Cinnamon imparts a flavor to coffee that makes it taste so much better. Studies have shown that cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels and triglycerides in those with type 2 diabetes (*).
In this recipe, combine the following: 2 shots of espresso, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, a cup of warm almond milk, and 1 scoop of collagen powder. Blend and serve.
Dalgona Collagen Coffee
Dalgona coffee is whipped coffee that has become an internet trend, thanks to Korean stars.
Make your own healthy dalgona coffee at home by combining coffee, stevia or monk fruit sweetener, a scoop of collagen, and boiling water in a large bowl. Then use a hand mixer to whip these ingredients until the mixture thickens.
In a glass, add almond milk and ice cubes, then pour the whipped coffee mixture on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are commonly asked questions and answers on collagen in coffee:
Does coffee affect collagen absorption?
There aren’t enough studies to support the idea that coffee affects collagen absorption or production in your body.
Drinking coffee with collagen should be fine; however, if you’re concerned about the effect of caffeine on collagen, then consume coffee only in moderate amounts. A moderate coffee intake is defined as 3-5 cups a day.
Does hot coffee destroy collagen?
This is unlikely to happen for two reasons. First, quality collagen powders are heat-stable. Second, coffee is brewed between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures do not destroy collagen.
Can you add collagen to cold coffee?
Yes, you can! Cold or warm, collagen powder dissolves well. Some people would also recommend adding a scoop of collagen in lukewarm water first, followed by cold water and some ice cubes.
What other beverages can I add collagen to?
In addition to coffee, collagen can be added to green smoothies and fruit smoothies. Although less common, some individuals take collagen and bone broth together for a protein boost.
Can you put collagen in coffee with milk?
Absolutely. Feel free to use almond milk, coconut milk, or cow’s milk.
Final Thoughts on Collagen in Coffee
Starting your day with coffee plus collagen offers many benefits, such as improved skin elasticity, joint support, muscle recovery, and gut health. You’ve also learned that collagen doesn’t get damaged by hot water. If you’re feeling creative, make iced collagen coffee using any of the recipes above.
Collagen powder supplements make a fantastic addition to your coffee routine, but don’t ignore other healthy habits as well. Eating protein-rich foods, limiting added sugars, destressing, and getting a good night’s sleep are some of the best ways to preserve collagen.