Are there any studies or clinical trials supporting the benefits of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation?Updated a month ago

Collagen peptides have been extensively studied for their effects on joints, skin, bones, and more. Below are key studies that highlight these benefits.

Joints & Bones

• Brueckheimer, P.J., et al. (2025) - The Effects of Type I Collagen Hydrolysate Supplementation on Bones, Muscles, and Joints: A Systematic Review, Orthopedic Reviews
  A systematic review found that studies on joint health reported beneficial outcomes, such as pain reduction, improvements in clinical parameters, increased physical mobility, and enhanced ankle function.
  
  
  

• De Paz-Lugo, P., et al. (2018) - High glycine concentration increases collagen synthesis by articular chondrocytes in vitro: Acute glycine deficiency could be an important cause of osteoarthritis, Amino Acids.
  This study suggests that glycine deficiency reduces collagen synthesis in chondrocytes, which could contribute to cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis. Supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen, rich in glycine, may support cartilage regeneration.
  
  

• Porfírio, E., et al. (2015) - Collagen supplementation as a complementary therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: A systematic review, Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia.
  This systematic review supports the positive effects of hydrolyzed collagen on joint and bone health, including increased bone mineral density and cartilage protection, while also helping to reduce pain in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis patients.
  
  

• Elam, M.L., et al. (2014) - A calcium-collagen chelate dietary supplement attenuates bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: A randomized controlled trial, Journal of Medicinal Food.
  In this randomized controlled trial, women supplementing with calcium-collagen chelate experienced significantly less bone mineral density loss compared to the control group, indicating collagen’s potential in osteoporosis prevention.
  
  

• Bruyère, O., et al. (2012) - Effect of collagen hydrolysate in articular pain: A 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
  This study found that collagen hydrolysate supplementation significantly improved articular pain over six months, reinforcing its benefits for joint health.
  

• Benito-Ruiz, P., et al. (2009) - A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of a food ingredient, collagen hydrolysate, for improving joint comfort, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.
  This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of collagen hydrolysate in improving joint comfort, supporting its role in joint health.
  

• Clark, K.L., et al. (2008) - 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain, Current Medical Research & Opinions.
  This 24-week clinical trial demonstrated that collagen hydrolysate supplementation significantly improved joint pain in athletes, suggesting its potential for joint health maintenance and injury prevention.
  

• Bello, A.E., et al. (2006) - Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: A review of the literature, Current Medical Research & Opinions.
  This review highlights that collagen hydrolysate accumulates in cartilage and stimulates extracellular matrix production, helping to reduce osteoarthritis-related pain and improve joint function.
  

• Moskowitz, R.W. (2000) - Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease, Seminars in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
  This study found that collagen hydrolysate enhances the effects of calcitonin in reducing bone collagen breakdown, making it a safe and effective long-term option for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis management.

Skin

• Pu, S.Y., et al. (2023) - Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Nutrients.
  This meta-analysis confirmed that oral collagen supplementation improves skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction, reinforcing findings from multiple clinical trials.
  

• de Miranda, R.B., et al. (2021) - Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: A systematic review and meta-analysis, International Journal of Dermatology.
  This systematic review and meta-analysis further validated collagen's effectiveness in reducing skin aging, noting significant improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle depth reduction.
  

• Vollmer, D.L., et al. (2018) - Enhancing skin health: Oral administration of natural compounds and minerals with implications for the dermal microbiome, International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
  This review explored oral cosmeceuticals, including collagen, ceramides, beta-carotene, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q10, and zinc, showing their synergistic benefits for skin health and anti-aging.
  

• Asserin, J., et al. (2015) - The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: Evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
  A clinical trial and an ex vivo study showed that collagen peptides improve skin hydration and increase dermal collagen density, reducing signs of aging like dryness and wrinkles after eight weeks.
  

• Yazaki, et al. (2017) - Oral Ingestion of Collagen Hydrolysate Leads to the Transportation of Highly Concentrated Gly-Pro-Hyp and Its Hydrolyzed Form of ProHyp into the Bloodstream and Skin, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
  Found that functional peptides like gly-pro-hyp from collagen hydrolysates accumulate in the skin, supporting collagen production.
  

• Schunck, M., et al. (2015) - Dietary supplementation with specific collagen peptides has a body mass index-dependent beneficial effect on cellulite morphology, Journal of Medicinal Food.
  In this study, collagen supplementation reduced the appearance of cellulite, particularly in women with a higher BMI, by increasing dermal density and reducing skin waviness over six months.
  

• Proksch, E., et al. (2013) - Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.
  This study showed that bioactive collagen peptides significantly reduced wrinkles while increasing procollagen I, elastin, and fibrillin levels, contributing to smoother, firmer skin. Notably, effects persisted even four weeks after stopping supplementation.
  

• Proksch, E., et al. (2013) - Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.
  This study demonstrated that collagen supplementation significantly improved skin elasticity in women after eight weeks of daily intake.
  

• Matsumoto, H,, et al. (2006) - Clinical Effects of Fish Type I Collagen Hydrolysate on Skin Properties, ITE Letters on Batteries, New Technologies and Medicine.
  Demonstrated that fish type I collagen hydrolysate improved skin pliability, elasticity, smoothness, and reduced wrinkles after six weeks.

Hair & Nails

• Patel, M., et al. (2023) - Comprehensive Clinical Evaluations of the Aesthetic Enhancements on Skin, Hair, and Nails Through the Administration of Marine Collagen, Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.
  This study assessed the effects of marine collagen supplementation on hair density among other parameters. Results indicated a significant increase in hair density and thickness after 60 days of daily supplementation, suggesting potential benefits for hair health.
  

• Milani, M., et al. (2020) - Efficacy of a Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen-Based Supplement on Hair Loss Treatment: A Pilot Study, Skin Research and Technology.
  This clinical trial demonstrated that an oral supplement containing hydrolyzed marine collagen and other nutrients improved the clinical efficacy of specific anti-hair loss treatments in subjects with androgenetic alopecia or chronic telogen effluvium.
  

• Hexsel, D., et al. (2017) - Oral Supplementation with Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Improves Nail Growth and Reduces Symptoms of Brittle Nails, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
  In this study, participants who took 2.5 grams of collagen peptides daily for 24 weeks experienced a 12% increase in nail growth rate and a 42% decrease in the frequency of broken nails. Additionally, 64% of participants reported overall improvement in nail health.

Muscle & Heart Health

• Oertzen-Hagemann, V., et al. (2019) - Effects of 12 Weeks of Hypertrophy Resistance Exercise Training Combined with Collagen Peptide Supplementation on the Skeletal Muscle Proteome in Recreationally Active Men, Nutrients.
  Found that collagen supplementation enhanced muscle mass and strength when combined with resistance training.
  

• Zdzieblik, D., et al. (2015) - Collagen Peptide Supplementation in Combination with Resistance Training Improves Body Composition and Increases Muscle Strength in Elderly Sarcopenic Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The British Journal of Nutrition.
  Demonstrated that collagen peptides improve body composition and muscle strength in elderly men with sarcopenia.
  

• Tomosugi, N., et al. (2017) - Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans, Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis.
  Results indicated that collagen peptide supplementation contribute to the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in healthy humans.

Absorption

• Ohara, H. (2007) - Comparison of Quantity and Structures of Hydroxyproline-Containing Peptides in Human Blood After Oral Ingestion of Gelatin Hydrolysates from Different Sources, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
  This study found that hydrolyzed fish collagen led to the highest plasma concentration of hydroxyproline-containing peptides, making it the most bioavailable form of collagen.

Conclusion

These studies confirm that hydrolyzed collagen is well-absorbed and provides health benefits for skin, joints, bones, and more. Consistent supplementation has been shown to provide measurable benefits, making collagen a valuable addition to a daily health routine.