Collagen Cocktail Benefits Are Not Worth the Hype

When it involves off-the-wall drinks which are simply bizarre sufficient to work, nobody does them higher than TikTokers.

When the platform liable for current tendencies like onion water and Parmesan Espresso Martinis mixes wellness claims into cocktail recipes, the outcomes might be…properly…iffy, to say the least. Whereas most good-for-you viral drinks lean in a non-alcoholic course—hey there, Sleepy Girl Mocktail—some TikTokers and brands have began enjoying round with boozy libations that embrace dietary dietary supplements. One of the notable examples of this rising pattern is the “collagen cocktail,” or an alcoholic drink with collagen powder or liquid collagen added to the combo.

So what’s the purpose of placing collagen in a cocktail? Can the well being advantages of this ingredient actually shine by on this context, or do the downsides of alcohol outweigh the positives of the collagen? And what precisely does collagen do to a spirit-based beverage from a taste and texture perspective? We’ve bought all of the solutions right here.

What to learn about collagen protein

Collagen is a naturally-occurring protein that your physique makes to kind and strengthen connective tissue. (Different potential health benefits of collagen embrace gut-health help and diminished exercise soreness.)

Wan Na Chun, RD, a registered dietitian and well being guide for Health Insiders, provides that collagen “performs a job in pores and skin and bone well being as it’s a key component of cartilage, that are tissues that defend the joints in our our bodies.”

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As talked about, our our bodies produce collagen on their very own; you may also get it from meat and fish. (“Vegan” collagen you would possibly discover in plant meals will not be true collagen, however fairly stuff your body can use to make collagen itself.) However as we age, collagen manufacturing slows. For that purpose, some folks select so as to add collagen dietary supplements (often discovered within the type of powders, liquids, or drugs) to their diets.

“Collagen peptide supplementation can improve bone mineral density and bone formation,” says Chun. “Postmenopausal girls who’ve a better threat of osteoporosis and bone fractures could profit from collagen dietary supplements that may assist enhance bone density and power.”

Nonetheless, skin-care aficionados know that collagen supplementation can convey different advantages. Collagen “can doubtlessly help pores and skin elasticity,” says Catherine Gervacio, RND, a dietitian, train vitamin coach, and well being coach with EH Project. She provides that the protein has potential “anti-aging pores and skin advantages” that may help the appear and feel of your pores and skin, hair, and nails. (Nonetheless, it needs to be famous that specialists aren’t positive how much of the collagen you consume in tablet or powdered kind really makes it method to the pores and skin for maximal perks.)

Do collagen cocktails have any advantages in your well being?

The brief reply: No. Whereas alcohol is actually enjoyable to drink moderately, it is essential to do not forget that there isn’t a such factor as a “healthy” drink that contains alcohol.

“Whereas the addition of collagen to alcohol will not be essentially dangerous, the well being advantages of collagen are negated when it’s consumed with alcohol.”
—Wan Na Chun, RD

“Collagen added to an alcoholic drink appears to be so promising as a result of a number of folks could imagine it to presumably offset the skin consequences brought about by alcohol,” says Gervacio, (assume: dryness, decrease elasticity, and redness). Sadly, Gervacio says that the perks of collagen dietary supplements are solely totally loved as a part of a well being eating regimen, since vitamins like vitamin C, zinc, and copper are required to jumpstart collagen manufacturing and absorption within the physique.

To spell it out: One collagen cocktail will not be sufficient to rework your pores and skin, particularly for those who’re not doing different issues to help pores and skin well being.

Not solely does alcohol fail to spark the advantages of collagen, however it may possibly actively work towards them. “Alcohol can dehydrate the physique, together with the pores and skin, which is opposite to the hydrating results of collagen,” Chun says. “Whereas the addition of collagen to alcohol will not be essentially dangerous, the well being advantages of collagen are negated when it’s consumed with alcohol.”

What bartenders take into consideration the collagen cocktails pattern

Okay, so collagen cocktails aren’t the key elixir to higher pores and skin. However is there any non health-related purpose so as to add this complement to your libations? To reply this query, we requested a pair of expert mixologists—Lilly and Greg DeForest-Campbell, each veteran NYC bartenders, beverage consultants, and proprietors of 1897 Beekman House in Dundee, New York—to strive making a couple of traditional cocktails with collagen as an additional ingredient and to inform us what they thought.

Briefly, they’re not followers. “We wouldn’t advocate collagen in any drink,” Lilly says. Whereas collagen is usually marketed as flavorless by the manufacturers that produce and promote it, the DeForest-Campbells have been each capable of simply detect the taste-related variations between drinks made with out collagen and drinks with collagen included. (And never in a great way.)

The worst issues confirmed up in citrus-heavy drinks like margaritas and Palomas. “Citrus and agave [syrup] appear to emphasise the disagreeable style and texture of the collagen,” says Greg. “This drink left an aftertaste paying homage to the bitterness of synthetic sweeteners, and we additionally bought a funk that was just like soiled socks.” (BRB, simply threw up a little bit in my mouth.) When it comes to texture, Lilly says that the collagen gave her margarita a mouthfeel just like “uncooked lime Jello”.

“Citrus and agave appear to emphasise the disagreeable style and texture of the collagen. This drink left an aftertaste paying homage to the bitterness of synthetic sweeteners, and we additionally bought a funk that was just like soiled socks.”
—Greg DeForest-Campbell, bartender, beverage guide

In case you’re decided to strive including collagen to cocktails, the DeForest-Campbells advocate sticking with “robust, spirit-inclusive drinks” that include no acid, restricted sweetness, and as few mixers as potential. Essentially the most profitable collagen cocktail that they sampled was a dry gin martini with a lemon twist, which “regarded like soiled dishwater, however the crisp, botanical taste of the gin shone by and it drank nearly like a traditional martini.” A rye Outdated Usual additionally stood out as “not fully offensive,” though Greg mentions that “the collagen appeared to throw the flavors out of steadiness.”

The underside line: Skip this pattern

Collagen cocktails could also be popping up on TikTok as an intriguing choice for skincare followers who additionally take pleasure in a nightcap, however there are good explanation why they haven’t caught on with skilled bartenders or registered dietitians. The collagen doesn’t add any well being advantages to the cocktail, the presence of the alcohol may really cut back the well being advantages of the collagen, and the completed cocktail will probably be inoffensive at finest and repulsive at worst. Skip this pattern and save the collagen in your (non-alcoholic) smoothies and the booze for joyful hour.