Benefits of collagen for men

Collagen has long been used by women looking to reverse the ageing process. It’s known to make hair look healthier, nails firmer and the skin more supple and youthful. 

However, men have increasingly started jumping on the collagen bandwagon as it’s also been shown to offer men a host of benefits, ranging from hair loss prevention to building muscle. We dive into the many benefits of collagen for men in this blog. 

What does collagen do for men? 

Collagen is a type of protein and an essential building block for the body. It helps in several areas, including hair loss, ageing, muscle maintenance, metabolism, gut health as well as joint and bone health. 

Prevents hair loss & ageing 

As men age, their bodies produce less and less collagen, which can affect hair follicles and the skin in general. Adding collagen supplements into your daily diet can help keep your hair follicles supple and strong, which will keep your hair looking thick and lush while combatting hair loss. 

When it comes to the skin, many women are already taking advantage of the benefits offered by collagen, and men can do the same. During the ageing process, the skin loses its natural elasticity, which is why the skin becomes wrinkled and leathery in appearance. However, taking collagen supplements can help prevent this. 

Additionally, collagen also promotes hydration in the skin, which helps lessen the appearance of wrinkles. 

Boost muscle build and recovery

If you’ve been looking to build your muscles and overall strength, collagen may be the solution (or part of it at least). This is due to the fact that collagen contains two amino acids, arginine and glycine, which are critical building blocks for your muscles. 

As the body ages and produces less collagen, taking supplements can combat this while helping boost your body's overall ability to build muscle (of course, this should be coupled with a good training program). 

In addition to this, research also indicates that the amino acids found in collagen can help boost muscle recovery, which translates into less pain and more gains! This is due to two factors. 

Firstly, collagen boasts anti-inflammatory properties, which are essential in muscle recovery. Secondly, around three-quarters (75%) of our tendons and ligaments consist of collagen, which means nourishing your body with more of it can assist with pain and injury prevention.

Increased metabolism & energy 

On its own, collagen won’t magically speed up your metabolic rate. However, it does promote muscle growth (as we’ve mentioned) and this, in turn, will lead to a higher resting metabolic rate, helping you burn more energy throughout the day. 

Additionally, collagen also contains the amino acid, arginine, which supports the production of nitric oxide. This increase in nitric oxide boosts blood flow and oxygen transportation to cells, which results in higher energy levels. 

Aids with bone and joint health 

As we’ve mentioned earlier, collagen forms a huge building block of your tendons and ligaments; it’s also a significant component of your cartilage, which forms a key part of the joints. 

As the body ages and collagen production rates drop, joint-related issues can become more prevalent. However, men can prevent this by taking collagen supplements. 

But wait, there’s more. Collagen does not only benefit one's joint health, but their bone health as well. Collagen is the main portion of bone mass and recent studies show that collagen peptides increase the organic substance of bone. In fact bone consists of 90% collagen type 1.

So, by including collagen in their diet or supplement regimen, men can strengthen their bones and reduce the risk of fractures and bone-related issues.

Promotes gut health

This may be a surprising collagen benefit you didn’t expect to find on this list, but it’s true: collagen can promote good gut health. One of the main reasons for this is that collagen is rich in glycine, which is an amino acid that is well-known for supporting digestive health. 

Research indicates that glycine's anti-inflammatory nature can also help soothe the lining of the digestive tract, alleviating the discomfort associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and even leaky gut syndrome. 

It’s also been shown to support the growth of good bacteria in the bowls, and a healthy gut microbiome is associated with improved digestion, better nutrient absorption, and enhanced overall well-being.

At what age should men take collagen?

Generally, the body’s collagen production levels begin to drop off after the age of 25 (for both men and women). While the ageing process tends to be slower for men than women, men should begin taking collagen supplements in their 20s. 

Does collagen help sperm?

There is no scientific research indicating that collagen can improve the fertility of women or men, which includes the sperm. Other factors, such as nutrition, lifestyle and genetics do have a direct impact on a man’s sperm health. 

Is collagen good for men?

While women have been the primary endorsers of collagen, this versatile supplement can offer numerous benefits for men. From preventing hair loss and ageing to boosting muscle growth and metabolism, adding a collagen supplement to your daily routine can prove highly valuable.