Collagen is a kind of protein present in our skin and joints that helps it stay young, both from the outside and inside.
The bad thing is that after we pass our 20s, the collagen begins to decline in the body. This is why you start ageing in your 30s, and the collagen keeps on declining with age. Ageing is visible through wrinkles, sagging skin, aching joints, and loss of plump skin.
To slow down the process of becoming a raisin from a grape, you need to consume these collagen booster foods.
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Well, not anymore!
Let’s dive in and eat that collagen booster, Baby!
Table of Contents
1. Indian Gooseberry/ Amla
This is the star collagen booster, as vitamin C is the star of the show when it comes to boosting the collagen in your body.
Indian gooseberry contains oodles of vitamin C, which improves collagen production in the body. Its tannins also help keep hair from turning grey.
Read – benefits of Indian Gooseberry
2. Berries
Another powerhouse of vitamin C and antioxidants, berries are also on the list of collagen booster foods.
The flavonoid-rich super-tasty foods not only enhance our cakes and pastries, but they are also amazing for boosting the collagen (read youth) in your body.
The berries, which are red or purple, have more anthocyanins in them, which are collagen boosters and even reverse photoaging (1).
Some examples are capeberries, blueberries, mulberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.
The best way is to eat them raw (don’t forget to wash them first!!)
3. Moringa
Not just a collagen booster (2), this powerhouse of nutrients is also amazing for your daily vitamins and minerals requirements.
Moringa, or Drumstick plant or Sehjan, has been used in India for ages. All of its parts, including leaves, drumsticks and even flowers, have been used in making Indian curries and as a stuffing for paranthas.
If you are not up for curries or paranthas, then just take some moringa leaves and add them to your daily green smoothie, and you are good to go!
4. Ghee
Amazing source of vitamin A and E, ghee is the clarified butter that is available in Indian households and has been used in cooking and eating raw for ages.
Ghee is obtained by boiling cow or buffalo milk’s cream or butter, so it’s not vegan. Although vegetarians consume it daily.
Applying it on the skin in a small amount, or eating one spoonful of it with your coffee or meals, is a good idea to boost your collagen and defy ageing!
Recommended Read – 5 Smart Lifestyle Changes People Over 35 Make to Stay Young and Healthy
5. Some Veggies
Are you also afraid of Broccoli? If not, then you are so brave, and you need to eat that super blend but super-healthy veggie.
Carrots and Spinach also boast of having collagen boosting properties.
Beetroot, being rich in lycopene, squalene, and vitamin C, enhances collagen production and prevents skin sagging.
Leafy greens like spinach and kale are already on the high ground of being collagen boosters.
6. Green Tea
Green tea is a healthy potion full of antioxidants, especially catechins, that play an important role in boosting collagen in your body.
It is among the easiest health drinks to consume, which boosts collagen and cleans your body from within.
This humble tea has also helped me get rid of stubborn acne that refused to go away no matter what I did.
It is a good time to switch to green tea, my friend.
7. Spirulina
Spirulina is an algae, and it is debatable whether it comes under vegetarian or not. These are plant-based organisms, and spirulina comes in powder form (algae dried and processed).
This powder also comes in capsules for easy consumption, and yes, spirulina also enhances collagen in your body.
Many amino acids present in this healthy green make it a great choice among collagen booster foods, which keep the skin firm and delay ageing (3).
Recommended Read – Collagen Boosters To Use in Skincare
8. Anti-Glycation Foods
This is the kind of food that reduces the AGE (Advanced Glycation End Products).
Now, what are AGE?
These are the products that are formed due to high blood sugar consumption and basically accelerate ageing.
To stop them from ageing your body, you need to not only consume less sugar, but also eat anti-glycation food items like fruits (pomegranate, apples, strawberry, avocado, blueberry), Non-starchy veggies (broccoli, cucumber, bell pepper), and spices (pepper, ginger, turmeric), etc.
Some other food items are low-fat yoghurt, flaxseeds, tea, coffee, sesame, and whole grains.
9. Beans
Almost all kinds of beans are protein-rich and make a difference in your collagen game(4).
Do consider the beans (whether you like them or not) in your routine to keep your muscles healthy, slow down age-related muscle loss and give a hand to collagen too.
Needless to say, this is why beans slow down ageing.
10. Nuts & Seeds
A handful of mixed nuts and seeds goes a long way in acting as collagen boosters in your body.
The nuts & seeds are rich in zinc & fatty acids, which replenish the oils in the body and slow down its hydration and elasticity.
Some of the best collagen booster seeds are pumpkin seeds, almonds, flaxseeds, etc.
Collagen Killers –
- Smoking
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption
- Poor Sleep Quality
- Sugary Processed Foods
- UV Radiation
- Pollution (5)
If you are too lazy like me and too picky-choosey to eat the above mentioned collagen booster foods, then this is one of the best vegetarian collagen boosters that I have come across, tastes fine (the classic gooseberry) and is easy to digest as well. You can buy it from Amazon here if you are in India.
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That’s all, folks. Stay tuned for the upcoming special article about collagen boosters that can be applied to the face!
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