There have been numerous trends hitting the headlines since the mainstream adoption of wellness in the 1950s. They include gut health, meditation and wearables, but one of the biggest has been collagen.
This structural protein has been embraced as a superhero ingredient, thanks to what it does throughout the human body (we’ll dig into that in depth later).
Both the beauty and wellness industries have grabbed collagen and ran with it to create a variety of products that make a wide range of claims.
That’s why we chose science to underpin our award-winning vegan liquid collagen supplement, a decision that has been supported by glowing testimonies from real people living real lives.
In this blog, we’re going to explore the buzz surrounding collagen in the wellness industry, detail what it does for us inside and out, and reveal why you don’t have to be vegan to love our sustainable vegan liquid collagen supplement.
An ancient ingredient
We have the Greeks to thank for the word collagen: it comes from ‘kolla’ and literally means ‘glue producer’.
Humans have been boiling animal sinews and skins to create glue for at least 8,000 years, but it took until the 1930s for scientists to unlock the deeper secrets of collagen, with that magical, triple-helix structure discovered in 1955.
Research has since revealed the crucial role this important protein plays in almost every part of our bodies from our hearts to our bones.
Collagen in the body
Modern science has taught us a lot about collagen and its effect on our health. It is the most abundant protein in the body and one of its key natural resources.
There are many types of collagen, but the main five (Types I, II, III, IV and V) are found in connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments, as well as in cartilage and bones. Collagen is also crucial for joint health, as well as our skin, hair and nails.
We make every different type of collagen naturally, using proline, glycine and hydroxyproline: amino acids that are extracted from the foods we eat, such as red meat, fish and eggs.
These amino acids are then combined with vitamin C, zinc, copper and manganese to form the incredibly strong triple helix that enables collagen to be such a smart framework.
But why has collagen become such a wellness and beauty buzzword?
Collagen production and skin elasticity
Our bodies generate collagen until around the age of 30, after which it begins to decline by roughly 1% per year. By the time we reach 40, there is a significant reduction in collagen production.
As our collagen output decreases, so our skin hydration dips, potentially increasing the number of visible wrinkles on our face, neck and hands. It can also lead to brittle nails and dry hair.
The effects aren’t all visibly cosmetic. The slowdown in collagen production affects the connective tissues in our muscle mass and bone health, arteries become less elastic and flexible, and some people experience an increase in joint pain.
We can boost our collagen levels by adopting a healthy lifestyle, incorporating plenty of collagen-rich foods in our diet, from bone broth to sardines, and stopping smoking - but even that can only slow the decline.
Luckily, science has come to our rescue.
Creating a collagen supplement
The scientific and health industries have been giving Mother Nature a helping hand for decades, so of course they got stuck in when it came to creating collagen supplements.
Available either as dissolvable collagen powders, capsules or liquids, collagen supplements are traditionally made from bovine collagen or marine collagen, the majority of which are hydrolysed so it is easier for the body to absorb.
These supplements also contain collagen peptides, short chains of amino acids that boost the levels of protein needed for the body’s production of collagen.
Although the type of collagen found in supplements can vary, whether in liquid or powder form, bovine collagen and marine collagen can only ever approximate Type I collagen, the one most commonly found in the human body. More about that in a moment.
Despite this, these collagen supplements have plenty of benefits.
The benefits of collagen supplements
Human studies suggest that taking collagen supplements can improve the strength of your muscles. They can also support healthy bones and healthy joints, accelerate wound healing and even improve your digestion.
One of the other major benefits of collagen supplements is the collagen peptides in them have high levels of the hydroxyproline amino acid, which has been scientifically proven to boost the moisture levels in our hair, nails and skin.
Not only do collagen supplements plump and enhance our skin texture, they can reduce and even eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Couple that with hydrating our hair and boosting nail health, and there’s no wonder that collagen supplements have caused such a splash in the beauty and wellness industries. Who wouldn’t want all these benefits?
Unfortunately, when it comes to some collagen supplements, there is a downside.
Sustainability and collagen supplements
Many collagen supplements contain bovine collagen and marine collagen which, as we said earlier, mimics the Type I collagen we produce naturally but isn’t exactly the same.
That slight difference hasn’t prevented brands and manufacturers from developing lots of collagen products, and it’s the animals at their core that pay the price.
Although considered a byproduct, collagen is taken from cattle and pigs, many of which live in unsanitary conditions. For some of the fish used in the manufacture of marine collagen, it is the only reason they are raised.
There are other reasons to be sceptical about the sustainability of animal and marine collagen.
Some of the companies in the collagen supplement industry, set to be worth $3.4 billion by 2031, are far from ethical or environmentally friendly in their operations. This Pulitzer Center report is eye-opening to say the least.
We’re proud to say we found another way.
Kinder to you and the planet
We aim to redefine the way we think about beauty and its relationship to our health and wellbeing. It’s not just about popping vitamins and having nice hair and nails. There’s a bigger picture to consider.
The growing awareness of the need to be kinder to our planet is one of the reasons we have simplified the journey to wellness: aiming to nourish the body, mind and soul.
With that in mind, the entire Arella range uses only the best quality, 100% plant-based, ethically sourced and clean ingredients. Unlike many wellbeing products, they are not tested on animals.
Our packaging is minimal by design to reduce our environmental impact and, wherever possible, we use recycled materials.
Our vegan liquid collagen
Our vegan collagen supplement is inspired by the connection between our skin and body, while its efficacy has been backed by scientific studies.
Instead of using collagen protein from animals, our supplement contains VeCollal®, the world’s first plant-based (vegan) collagen supplementation alternative to animal and marine collagen.
It is made from plant extracts containing the crucial amino acids used to produce collagen in the body, as well as a few other superstar key ingredients:
- Vitamin C
- Asiaticoside, extracted from the herb Centella Asiatica
- Panax Ginseng
- Vitamin A
- Biotin
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacin (vitamin B3)
We then use cutting-edge technology to create a biometric profile of Type I human collagen, enabling VeCollal® to mimic the amino acid profile needed to generate the right type of collagen 100% accurately.
It also delivers them directly to the body, skipping the digestion process so you get all the health benefits with zero effort.
They can include robust connective tissue and boosting blood vessels with arterial elasticity, enhanced hair growth and nail growth. It will improve skin health too, reducing wrinkles.
The benefits of our vegan collagen
Apart from its minimised impact on the planet and not relying on animals as a source of ingredients, our vegan liquid collagen has lots of other advantages.
Studies have proven that liquids make the best collagen supplements, as they are more readily absorbed by the body. That’s why we chose that option, rather than a powder.
Our liquid vegan collagen comes in an easy-to-open 30ml sachet that can go everywhere you do: the office, the gym, the kids’ after school clubs.
Slip a few in your bag or the car’s glove box. Taking your collagen daily and boosting your skin hydration is quick and convenient. No measuring or mixing powders into hot or cold drinks.
The VeCollal® in our vegan collagen may be scientifically engineered, but research studies show it increases the production of collagen by 134%.
An impressive 80% of participants experienced a reduction in wrinkles after just four weeks. We can imagine how amazing their skin, hair and nails looked and felt, too.
Collagen and confidence: the ultimate win-win
Of course, arguably the biggest health benefits of our vegan collagen supplementation is the enhancement of your overall wellbeing.
Our vegan collagen will not only do a lot of good inside your body, and give you great hair, skin and nails: you will feel it. The boost it gives to our customers’ confidence is priceless.
That’s why collagen is making headlines in the beauty and wellness industries. Why not try it for yourself, and see what the buzz is about.
Time to try our vegan liquid collagen
We think our vegan liquid collagen supplement is the best on the market, and we’re thrilled that so many of our customers agree.
Some are drawn by our company values, others are urged to try our vegan liquid collagen by their friends. However you find us, we’re delighted to have you on board.
Don’t miss out on our 28-day subscription that comes with a free Arella Rise, Energise and Dream Bundle. Click here for details of all our offers.
Contact us
Got any queries that aren’t covered in our FAQs? Want to know more about VeCollal® or our sustainability commitments? We would love to hear from you.
You can email us at info@arella-beauty.co.uk, or call 03303 209190. Alternatively, fill out this contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away.
