Lean Optimum » Protein Powders » Sports Research Collagen Peptides [2024] Effective & User Reviews?

Sports Research Collagen Peptides [2024] Effective & User Reviews?

Sports Research Collagen is a pure hydrolyzed collagen peptides. They are easily absorbed and provide either type I or type I and III, depending on whether you opt for the marine or bovine collagen.

While marine collagen is a good supplement for people who are allergic to beef, I would suggest taking the bovine-sourced collagen as it gives a complete profile.

Because of this, I’ll be focusing on the hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides throughout this article.

What is Sports Research?

Sports Research Collagen Peptides

These collagen peptides are sourced from 100% GMO-free, grass-fed bovine skin. The hydrolyzation makes them easily absorbed and SR is Paleo-certified/paleo-friendly.

The unflavored version contains no extra additives such as sugar, gluten, or dairy, making it safe for most diets, including keto. Do watch out for the flavored versions; they contain some extra ingredients.

.

What Are the Different Flavors? Taste?

There are three different flavors of Sports Research Hydrolyzed Bovine:

Unflavored

The unflavored version of collagen delivers a tasteless dietary supplementation that can easily be added to anything.

Whether you want to collagen boost in the mornings with your coffee, as a post-workout recovery beverage drink, or as added protein to your favorite baked goods, this powder won’t change the taste at all.

It does, however, add some richness to certain drinks, but it’s nothing distasteful. In fact, it doesn’t alter the taste at all.

The unflavored version is also the purest out of the three flavors, without any extra additives.

With this flavor, all you’re getting is 100% collagen.

Chocolate Collagen

The serving size for the unflavored powder is 11g, with 41 servings per 16oz and 82 servings per 36oz container.

Dark Chocolate

The dark chocolate flavor is a hot favorite. With all-natural flavors from cocoa powder for weight loss, stevia, and monk fruit, this is a sweet and decadent indulgence.

Some people don’t exactly like the taste of stevia or monk fruit, which are both keto by the way.

If you are one of these people, I’d advise you to get the unflavored version instead and add flavors you are comfortable with as needed.

Dark chocolate is also best with a creamy base like a nut, coconut, or traditional milk. This could increase the calorie count per serving, so keep this in mind if you are in a calorie deficit.

The serving size for the dark chocolate is 15.71g, but the container still contains 41 servings, the same as a 16oz unflavored container.

Vanilla

The vanilla flavor has a low-key taste that works great as a coffee creamer.

Like the dark chocolate flavor, it contains some added ingredients, including natural flavors, monk fruit, and stevia, which, if you don’t like, you won’t like the flavored version.

Vanilla also comes in a larger container as the serving size is the same as the dark chocolate flavor, 15,71g.

Flavors

Ingredients & Nutrition Facts

All the flavors of Sports Research contain the same collagen profile per 11g or 15g serving including these non-essential amino acids:

  • Alanine 810mg
  • Arginine 840mg
  • Aspartic Acid 661mg
  • Glutamic Acid 1241mg
  • Glycine 2060mg
  • Histidine 85mg
  • Hydroxylysine 125mg
  • Hydroxyproline 1140mg
  • Proline 1150mg
  • Serine 340mg
  • Tyrosine 50mg

Each serving also includes these essential amino acids:

  • Isoleucine 155mg
  • Leucine 294mg
  • Lysine 340mg
  • Methionine 65mg
  • Phenylalanine 210mg
  • Threonine 190mg
  • Valine 244mg

The unflavored version has the following nutritional profile per 11g serving of Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptide:

  • 40 Calories
  • 10 g Protein
  • 60mg Sodium

The Dark Chocolate and Vanilla flavors have the following macro nutritional profile per 15.71g serving:

  • 50 Calories
  • 0.5g Fat
  • 2g Carbs (1g Net, 1g Fiber)
  • 11g Protein (Hydrolyzed Collagen)

The flavors also have a micronutrient profile, which is not included in the unflavored version, so it’s unclear whether the micronutrients are the same throughout the three versions, but the unflavored version should also have these micronutrients:

  • Calcium 28mg
  • Iron 2mg
  • Phosphorus 13mg
  • Magnesium 22mg
  • Sodium 200mg
  • Potassium 94mg

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Benefits & Possible Side Effects

Collagen is a structural protein that acts as the scaffolding of our bodies. It helps the hair, skin, organs, muscles, tendons, joints, and bones in our bodies defy gravity and remain upright.

As we age, our body’s ability to produce “perfect” collagen diminished. The non-essential amino acids produced by our bodies slowly but surely lose their structural integrity, and that’s what causes aging.

One way to remedy these effects of aging is by taking more “perfect” collagen that is gluten-free in the form of supplementation. Because these essential and non-essential amino acids don’t need to be made by our aging bodies, they don’t carry the side effects of aging. And so, your body is rebuilt using better scaffolding.

And that’s the reason supplementation can be very beneficial in the following areas:

Hair, Nail, Skin, Joint, Bone, Muscle, and Tendon Health

All these components contain collagen, and as a result, taking supplements can help improve each other’s health.

Hair and nails tend to grow faster and stronger when taking supplements. Some people have even reported a fuller head of hair after using collagen for several months, which is a great benefit if you’re experiencing premature hair loss due to a keto diet.

Skin becomes more elastic when using; this can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and even cellulite.

Supports Skin, Hair

Joints and tendons benefit from the use of collagen and become more supple and moveable.

Bones become stronger, and collagen has been shown to improve arthritis and osteoporosis.

Muscles benefit from the use as they are made up of the exact same building blocks provided by collagen. As we age, we tend to lose muscle tone; collagen can reverse this.

Muscle Building

It is a great supplementation for pre workout to use to improve muscle tone in general, but it contains two vital amino acids for muscle strength and growth.

These are Arginine and Alanine. They are responsible for less lactic acid buildup and improved muscle growth.

That makes this peptide powder a good post-workout supplementation when you’re doing weight lifting.

Side-Effects

Gastro-intestinal upsets have been reported while using this supplementation. This includes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please discontinue use immediately.

Customer Reviews: Before and After Results

A lot of customers are satisfied with this product. They report faster hair and nail growth, improved skin elasticity, and some are even saying that it cured their IBS:

Amazon Customer

“After 15 plus years of battling IBS, I felt I was out of options. Nothing helped relieve the debilitating pain and cramping that accompanies the diagnosis. Adding to my situation, I struggled to find a protein I could digest without further intestinal upset.

On an off chance, I began using this product daily in my coffee. Within 2 weeks, I no longer had stomach cramping, constipation, or loud digestive sounds.

By the 3rd week, my insatiable appetite had diminished drastically, and the weight that I’ve been carrying began to drop off. After 6 weeks on the product, I ran out and somehow put off reordering.

Customer Reviews

Within the 2 weeks that I went without, my stomach cramping and original issues slowly returned. I know that’s a lot of TMI, but on the off chance, someone else who has “tried it all” comes across this review will hopefully give it a shot and find the same relief I have.”

While this won’t necessarily be the case for you, it has some of the best reviews out there. It is a relatively cheap supplementation, and people have said that it does exactly what it’s supposed to.

While this isn’t a miracle supplement it does what you can expect a supplement to do.

Where To Buy

There are a few things to take into consideration when looking at different brands.

You want a collagen powder that offers different types of collagen. Almost all collagen powders provide collagen type I, but very few contain type II. So keep this in mind.

Walmart Logo

You also want to look at the price. Most collagen powders can be quite pricey, so make sure you get a brand that fits within your price range per serving.

Check the added ingredients. While adding Vitamin C to collagen has been proven to increase the effectiveness, some of these dietary supplements contain additives like sugar, artificial flavors, and even unnecessary fillers.

Given all of this, SportsResearch is a pretty good option. They do, however not contain Type II collagen like some other, more expensive options do.

That being said, you can pick up a container of this for as little as $27,95 from Amazon.

You can also purchase it off their site or from Walmart or GNC.

Sports Research Collagen Peptides vs Vital Proteins

The two proteins differ in terms of their amino acid sequences, namely the C19 domain and the I-proteins. Although the C19 domain is larger in size, a pro-protein has higher flexibility, and a smaller portion of the pro-protein is needed to perform its function, whereas a structural protein can perform a broad range of functions. In terms of size, the collagen molecule in our muscle cells is 90% water, as reported in the study that was recently published. Because of this, the protein is found in every cell of our body. However, human muscle protein also contains proteases, that break down the proteins into fragments called peptides, which are made up of amino acids. Proteases work by breaking the peptide bonds into smaller pieces, called molecular weight peptides.

Each peptide is in turn made up of two or three amino acids, and one peptide can be further divided into a family of two or three. They thus comprise a protein with structural folds that we call peptides. While both collagen is proteins, there are a few characteristics that distinguish them. First, collagen proteins or protein shakes tend to contain a lot. However, this is because of its extensive side chains, which, depending on the structure of the collagen molecule, can become shorter or longer. When the two proteins are easily mixed, the short side chains of the pro-peptides mix with the longer side chains of the collagen peptides.

Should I Take Collagen Everyday?

Forget eating a pumpkin pie. Supplementing with collagen could be more important than drinking a holiday smoothie. Not only could collagen help reduce wrinkles and even ward off signs of aging, according to a new study out of Japan, it can also help patients with gum disease. What’s really important to note about this recent research is that collagen is a compound that is naturally produced by our body and that our body needs to regularly replenish because it is constantly being destroyed and replaced, which leads to breakdown.

The new research shows that collagen supplementation can effectively help to maintain the quality of gum tissue, which is a crucial part of gum health, which in turn reduces disease. The researchers found that 12 weeks of collagen intake could boost tissue quality and decrease disease. Experts who have conducted this research believe that collagen can be a preventive and wound healing therapy for a whole host of gum problems.

Are Collagen Peptides a Waste of Money?

So you’ve invested a few hundred bucks into collagen peptides. Is that money really going to get you anywhere, or will you eventually end up with excess collagen in your body and/or a bunch of hard cases who can’t squeeze their noses shut without stretching out the skin on their face? The jury is still out on whether or not they really work, and a little research will reveal the answer to that question. But here’s what you can expect if you are a collagen enthusiast.

Big demand for those who know anything about collagen. The markets in which your collagen supplements will be sold are filled with other buyers, most of whom know very little about the merits. Just because someone says something works doesn’t mean they know the science behind it. In a dark alley, you can take a vaccine or a pill, but in the light, you’ll find that both are really harmful.

Does Collagen Cause Weight Gain?

Want to get rid of stubborn belly fat? If so, opt for collagen and bone broth. Yes, both these proteins are good for your joints, but they can also be great for your belly, thanks to their ability to help build and maintain a healthy gut biome, which in turn, can help make you slim down. The gut is home to a range of microorganisms, and when you get older, this ecosystem becomes less diverse. This leads to a lack of absorption of food, resulting in a lack of the essential nutrients you need to stay healthy, or the buildup of gas, in the gut.

How does collagen promote gut health? The byproduct of collagen synthesis is gelatin. We produce collagen when our cells divide. However, since the body can’t always make enough collagen to replace damaged or aged tissue, it often creates it in the form of collagen esters, which can be present in food, such as dairy products, cheese, and eggs, as well as plant-based foods, such as soy, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. These ingredients are found naturally in kefir, a healthy, low-calorie yogurt alternative, and collagen is also used in skin care products, mouthwash, and toothpaste.

How Long Before You See Results From Collagen Peptides?

Collagen Peptides are very good for the skin, as it is considered a vital protein that is found in our body. It is found in our tissues and bones and this protein is mainly responsible for making the collagen for our bones and joints. A good amount of collagen is produced in our bodies, but due to aging, we tend to lose the body’s supply of this vital protein. It is because of this that collagen has become increasingly important in skincare products. The best part about is that they are scientifically proven to be very good at removing the toxins in the skin. This has made it much better for use in skincare products.

Is it OK to Take Collagen Peptides Every Day?

Most people would agree that the body is capable of absorbing nutrients properly, but the truth is, you might have a better chance of winning the lottery than meeting a food that doesn’t require supplementation. “I took collagen peptides because I was worried about stress, fatigue, depression, and joint pain. I knew I was deficient in the amino acids I needed. After taking a capsule of what felt like a bizarre chocolate-flavored laxative, I began to feel well. If I felt better after a capsule, I wondered, what would happen if I took three capsules a day? That was my epiphany.

I immediately cut back to two collagen capsules a day. I lost 10 pounds over several months. The nutrient release continued to get better and better. I started cooking more frequently. I began to recover from injury and illness faster. I noticed that I felt more alive and energetic. Every one of my symptoms improved, and I’m proud to say that I’m five years off of all of the supplements I took to begin with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There Anyone Who Shouldn t Take Collagen Peptides?

While collagen peptides are generally considered safe and well-tolerated, there are certain individuals who should exercise caution or avoid their consumption. It’s important to note that individual responses may vary, and consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended. Here are some situations in which one should be cautious or avoid collagen peptide supplementation:

Allergy or sensitivity: Individuals with known allergies or sensitivities to collagen or any of its sources, such as bovine or marine collagen, should avoid to prevent adverse reactions.

Specific medical conditions: People with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease, should consult their healthcare provider before taking collagen peptides. The impaired kidney or liver function may affect the body’s ability to process and eliminate them.

Dietary restrictions: Individuals following strict dietary restrictions, such as those on a vegetarian or vegan diet, may need to consider alternative collagen sources as most collagen peptides are derived from animal products.

Medications and supplements: May interact with certain medications or supplements. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional if you are taking medications or other dietary supplements to ensure there are no contraindications or potential interactions.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Limited research is available on the safety of collagen peptides during pregnancy and breastfeeding. To err on the side of caution, it is advisable for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals to consult with their healthcare provider before starting supplementation.

Autoimmune disorders: People with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, should exercise caution with collagen peptide supplementation. May potentially stimulate the immune system, and individuals with autoimmune conditions may experience flare-ups or adverse reactions.

Underlying health conditions: Individuals with certain health conditions, such as hypercalcemia or hyperoxaluria, should consult with their healthcare provider before taking collagen peptides, as they may affect calcium metabolism or oxalate levels.

Surgery or wound healing: If you are scheduled for surgery or have open wounds, it is advisable to discontinue collagen peptide supplementation prior to the procedure. May affect blood clotting and wound healing processes, and it’s important to follow the guidance of your healthcare provider.

Always prioritize your health and seek professional advice when considering any dietary supplements. Healthcare professionals can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific circumstances and help you make informed decisions regarding their use.

Does Jennifer Aniston Really Use Collagen Peptides?

While there is public speculation and anecdotal information suggesting that Jennifer Aniston uses collagen peptides for skin health, it’s crucial to approach such claims with a discerning eye. There hasn’t been concrete scientific evidence directly linking Jennifer Aniston to the use of collagen peptides. Celebrity endorsements and personal testimonials often circulate in the realm of health and beauty products, but these should be interpreted with caution.

Collagen peptides are a hydrolyzed form of collagen, a protein abundant in connective tissues, including skin. The rationale behind using collagen peptides for skin health lies in their potential to promote collagen synthesis when ingested. Collagen is a key structural component of the skin, providing elasticity and firmness. However, the scientific community’s consensus on the efficacy of collagen supplementation for improving skin health is still evolving.

Several studies suggest that collagen peptides may have benefits for skin elasticity, hydration, and wrinkle reduction. These effects are attributed to increased collagen production and improved skin barrier function. Nevertheless, the degree of improvement can vary among individuals, and factors such as dosage, duration of supplementation, and collagen source may influence outcomes.

It’s important to note that individual experiences with collagen peptides can be subjective, and results may depend on various factors, including diet, overall health, and genetic predispositions. Scientific research on the specific impact of collagen peptides on a celebrity like Jennifer Aniston would require direct and verifiable evidence.

In the absence of clear and scientifically validated information, it is advisable for individuals considering collagen peptide supplementation to consult with healthcare professionals. They can provide personalized guidance based on individual health needs and goals. As with any health or beauty product, making informed decisions involves a critical evaluation of scientific evidence and avoiding undue reliance on celebrity endorsements or anecdotal reports.

Does Sports Research Collagen Peptides Have Hyaluronic Acid?

No, Sports Research Collagen Peptides do not typically contain hyaluronic acid. Sports Research Collagen Peptides are primarily formulated to provide hydrolyzed collagen, which is a type of collagen broken down into smaller peptides for easier absorption by the body. Collagen peptides are commonly used in dietary supplements to support joint health, skin elasticity, and overall connective tissue function.

Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is a glycosaminoglycan that naturally occurs in the body and is known for its ability to retain moisture, promote skin hydration, and support joint lubrication. While hyaluronic acid is often included in skincare products and joint health supplements for its beneficial effects, it is not typically found in collagen peptide supplements like Sports Research Collagen Peptides.

However, some collagen peptide supplements may be formulated with additional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, or other compounds that support skin health or joint function. These formulations may include hyaluronic acid alongside collagen peptides to provide comprehensive support for skin hydration and elasticity.

It’s important to read the product label and ingredient list carefully to determine whether a particular collagen peptide supplement contains hyaluronic acid or any other additional ingredients. If you’re specifically looking for a collagen supplement with hyaluronic acid, you may need to explore other brands or formulations that explicitly include this ingredient.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about selecting a collagen supplement or incorporating it into your dietary routine, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to your individual needs and health goals.

Final Thoughts & Alternatives?

Now, while the SportsResearch brand does offer a premium product, there are some drawbacks. It doesn’t contain as complete a profile as some other collagen supplements.

And, while it is a pure source of collagen, it doesn’t offer other supplemental additives that will enhance its function.

The problem with this? Well, instead of purchasing an all-in-one product that is going to work for you, you are going to have to purchase more than one product, and this can push the price up quite a bit.

I really like Perfect Keto Grass-Fed Collagen for exactly this reason. It gives me a built-in MCT dose that gives me added energy with my morning coffee and helps me burn fat until lunchtime.

.

It also has added Acacia Fiber, which minimizes possible side effects and cultivates fat-burning bacteria.

If you’re looking for an exogenous keto protein powder and you want to try the Perfect Keto Collagen Powder, I can give you a special 15% off. In my opinion, it is one of the best collagen supplements right now.

If you’re looking for pure top-rated collagen powder, SportsResearch powder is a good option.