What is the Difference Between Collagen and Bone Broth?

Over the last few years that has been a surge in the popularity of collagen and bone broths. Collagen is a protein in our bodies found in skin, bones, muscles, tendons, blood vessels and the GI system.  It is comprised of 19 amino acids, with especially high amounts of glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine. However, it is not a complete protein, since it doesn’t contain all 9 essential amino acids.Collagen has many functions in the body. It holds the body together by forming connective tissues. Additionally, it improves skin and hair health, decreases joint pain and degeneration, improves liver health, soothes the intestinal lining and helps repair leaky gut, increases muscle mass and boosts metabolism.There are many types of collagen in the human body, but 80-90% are types I, II and III. Type I makes up your skin, hair, connective tissues and bones. Type II is found mostly in the joints and cartilage. Type III works with Type I to support healthy skin. Sources of collagen for protein powders are chicken, bovine (cow/beef), marine and eggs, and they each contain different types.   Types I and III usually come from beef while type II comes from chicken.Collagen is usually sold as collagen peptides, which are shorter chains of the proteins broken down by hydrolysis so they are easier to digest and more easily absorbed into the blood stream due to higher bioavailability.  Collagen peptide nutrition facts should only have amino acids on the label.They do not contain other macro or micronutrients.Bone broth contains collagen but collagen does not necessarily contain bone broth.  Bone broth is a type of stock made from slow simmering bones for 18-48 hours. It contains collagen, along with other nutrients such as chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, plus minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Bone broth protein powder is derived from the bone broth liquid, which is then dehydrated to remove the liquid.Both collagen and bone broth are great additions to a diet, especially as we age and we want to give support to our skin and gut. They can be great alternatives to whey or plant based protein powders.