Hydrolysed collagen is collagen broken down into smaller fragments, called peptides, through a process called hydrolysis. That is why it dissolves easily in water and is the form most used in supplements, whether vials, powders or tablets. On the label, what matters is the source, the name of the ingredient and the grams per daily dose.
What is hydrolysed collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body: it gives structure to skin, bones, tendons and cartilage. It is a large molecule, made of three chains of amino acids wound around each other, and in this form it does not dissolve in water.
Hydrolysed collagen is the same protein, split into shorter fragments: collagen peptides. The amino acids are the same; what changes is the length of the chains. This smaller size is what makes it soluble and easy to put into a supplement.
How is it made?
The starting point is tissue rich in collagen, such as the skin and bones of cattle, pigs or fish. The collagen is extracted and then hydrolysed: the protein is “cut” at several points, usually with the help of specific enzymes. The result is a peptide powder, which can be dissolved in a vial, pressed into a tablet or sold as it is.
The type of enzymes and the conditions of the process determine the length of the peptides. That is why two hydrolysed collagens are not necessarily the same, and why some manufacturers give their ingredient a registered name. Verisol®, for example, is the name of the bovine collagen peptides made by the German company GELITA through enzymatic hydrolysis.
Hydrolysed collagen, collagen peptides or gelatine?
- Hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides are two names for the same ingredient. You will find both on labels, sometimes next to a trade name.
- Gelatine comes from the same collagen but is only partly broken down: its fragments are longer and, as they cool, form the gel we know from cooking. Hydrolysed collagen does not gel and dissolves even in cold water.
What about “undenatured” collagen?
There is also a collagen that is not hydrolysed: undenatured type II collagen, usually taken from chicken cartilage. It is used in amounts of a few milligrams a day and for a different purpose. If a label says “undenatured” or “native”, it is not hydrolysed collagen and the doses cannot be compared.
Where does it come from?
There are three main sources: bovine, marine (fish skin and scales) and porcine. The source must be stated on the label and, for marine collagen, fish must be listed among the allergens. Verisol®, and therefore Collagen PRO5, is bovine. For a full comparison, read Bovine or marine collagen? Types of collagen and how they differ.
How much hydrolysed collagen do people take?
There is no official dose for collagen: unlike vitamins, it has no nutrient reference value. To get your bearings, look at the doses used in the studies on the ingredient in the product. The two clinical studies on Verisol® published in 2014 used 2.5 g a day for eight weeks; one of them also tested 5 g. Each vial of Collagen PRO5 contains 5 g of Verisol®.
So the grams per daily dose matter more than the format. We explain why in the guide Collagen: what it is for and why the dose matters.
What can be said about its effects?
In the European Union a supplement may only make the health claims that are authorised and listed in the EU register, and today there are none for collagen. That is why collagen is often combined with nutrients that do have an authorised claim. In Collagen PRO5, for example:
- vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin;
- zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails.
If a collagen supplement promises guaranteed results, that is a good reason to read its label more carefully.
How to spot it on the label
When you compare two supplements, look for:
- “hydrolysed collagen” or “collagen peptides” in the ingredient list;
- the source: bovine, marine or porcine;
- the name of the ingredient, if there is one, such as Verisol®: it lets you trace the studies;
- the grams of collagen per daily dose, not per pack;
- the other nutrients, with their amounts and the percentage of the reference values.
For a step-by-step comparison of products, see the guide Drinkable collagen: how to choose the best one.
Frequently asked questions
Does hydrolysed collagen dissolve in cold water?
Yes. It is one of the differences from gelatine, which dissolves when hot and then sets.
Are hydrolysed and marine collagen the same thing?
No. “Hydrolysed” describes how the collagen was processed; “marine” describes where it comes from. Marine collagen can be hydrolysed, and in supplements it usually is.
What does it taste like?
It depends on the source and the processing. Collagen PRO5 has a neutral taste: you can drink it neat or diluted in a drink.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and Regulation (EU) No 432/2012: permitted health claims, EU register.
- Proksch E. et al., Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014, 27: 47–55 and 27: 113–119 (the two clinical studies on Verisol®).
- GELITA AG, VERISOL® ingredient information.
VERISOL® is a registered trademark of GELITA AG. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are undergoing treatment, ask your doctor for advice before taking supplements.
