Does Hot Coffee Ruin or Reduce Effectiveness of Collagen Powder?

Since the rise in popularity of collagen supplements, people have been asking all kinds of questions about the do’s and don’ts of consuming collagen. Because of the ample benefits collagen supplements offer, everyone wants to incorporate them into their daily routine, but often they do not know how. 

What is perhaps the only thing that can top the demand for collagen? Coffee. Everyone needs their cup of Joe in the morning, so it's no surprise everyone is asking: if you add collagen to your coffee, will it still have the same benefits? The short answer is yes—it will still be beneficial to your health. 

Worried about the heat? Keep reading to find out why coffee’s temperature does not affect the composition of your collagen supplement. 

What Is Collagen and What Does It Do?

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in our bodies. It is crucial to healthy skin, hair, bones, and tissues, acting as a connector to keep tissues strong and flexible [1]. So why take collagen supplements? 

With age, the collagen production in our bodies begins to slow down, which is why we start getting wrinkles and our muscles and joints lose strength and flexibility. Collagen is made up of amino acids, with proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine being the most plentiful [2]. The role of collagen supplements is to provide the body with the protein it needs to make up for the loss over time, as well as additional loss caused by outside factors such as UV exposure, smoking, and stress [3]. 

Supplements like Pattern Wellness’ Collagen Peptides are made with the amino acids found naturally in collagen. Therefore, taking collagen supplements essentially postpones visible signs of aging, improves skin hydration, provides elasticity in bones, tissues, and skin, eases joint pain, and even repairs hair follicle strength [4]. 

How Can I Take Collagen?

While taking collagen supplements, you can reap all the benefits they provide and feel young and healthy again. But you may be wondering, how exactly can you take collagen supplements? And how much should you be taking? 

Great news! Collagen supplement powders like Pattern Wellness’ Collagen Peptides can be added to foods and drinks. This powder is dissolvable and versatile, and can be easily added to your favorite recipes. The recommended dose of collagen supplements ranges from 2.5 to 15 grams per day [5]. Be wary of the amount of collagen supplements you consume, as overconsumption can lead to uncomfortable side effects, such as stomach pain and a displeasing aftertaste [6]. 

Given collagen’s effectiveness when mixed into different foods and drinks, why is it questioned when added to coffee? 

Note: Before introducing new supplements to your daily routine, we recommend you consult with your physician to see if it's the right route for you.

Will Collagen Work in My Coffee? 

Due to their high temperatures, it’s fair to ask whether collagen will still provide the same benefits when added to hot drinks like coffee. The question stems from the fact that collagen is able to become denatured, meaning it can lose its original composition. At the point of denaturation, collagen is unable to provide the benefits it offers. However, for collagen to denature, it has to be in extremely high temperatures—572°F to be exact [7]. 

Typically, coffee is brewed at temperatures between 195-205°F, while a study shows that people typically drink their coffee at 140°F or lower [8,9]. As a result, there is no way coffee can cause the denaturation of collagen supplements to the point of no longer providing benefits to our bodies. 

A study on collagen denaturation shows that when exposed to high temperatures, collagen denaturation begins around 302°F, which is nowhere near the temperature used to brew coffee [7]. So yes, you can add your collagen supplement to your coffee—hot or iced—and still receive all the benefits.

In addition to having a great taste and helping you wake up in the morning, coffee has several benefits of its own. Studies have shown that people who drink coffee are less likely to die from coronary heart disease and diabetes, less likely to develop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and decrease the odds of getting colon cancer [10]. 

Other Ways to Consume Collagen

Collagen supplements in powder form can easily be added to your favorite recipes. Pattern Wellness’ Collagen Peptides is easily dissolvable and flavorless, making it a perfect addition to smoothies, pancakes, even plain water, and now you know—coffee works too! 

In addition, Pattern Wellness’ Collagen Powder is certified hormone-free and 100% non-GMO, from grass-fed and pasture-raised Grade A beef. 

When taken properly and consistently, collagen supplements can show results in your body in as soon as 8 weeks! [11] Your skin may be smoother, your hair stronger, and muscle pains may begin to fade. Add collagen powder to your daily coffee and reap the benefits of a healthy body!

Sources:

1. Collagen. The Nutrition Source. (2022, March 2). Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/

2. Kubala, J. (2022, February 9). Collagen: Benefits, side effects, and more. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen#what-it-is-and-uses 

3. Divya Jacob, P. D. (2021, May 6). How much collagen should you take a day? supplements. MedicineNet. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/how_much_collagen_should_you_take_a_day/article.htm

4. Divya Jacob, P. D. (2021, May 6). How much collagen should you take a day? supplements. MedicineNet. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/how_much_collagen_should_you_take_a_day/article.htm 

5. Kubala, J. (2022, February 9). Collagen: Benefits, side effects, and more. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen#food-sources

6. Streit, L. (2019, January 23). 5 evidence-based ways collagen may improve your hair. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-for-hair

7. Bozec, L., & Odlyha, M. (2011, July 6). Thermal denaturation studies of collagen by Microthermal Analysis and atomic force microscopy. Biophysical journal. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21723833/  

8. How to brew coffee. NCA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/How-to-Brew-Coffee#:~:text=Your%20brewer%20should%20maintain%20a,does%20not%20need%20any%20heat.)  

9. Lee, H.-S., & O'Mahony, M. (n.d.). At what temperatures do consumers like to drink coffee?: Mixing methods. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230106152_At_What_Temperatures_Do_Consumers_Like_to_Drink_Coffee_Mixing_Methods  

10. 9 reasons why (the right amount of) coffee is good for you. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021, October 28). Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you 

11. Choi, F. D., Sung , C. T., Juhasz, M. L., & Mesinkovsk. (n.d.). Oral collagen supplementation: A systematic review of Dermatological Applications. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/