The collagen tissues support the formation of bones, tendons, and cartilage that form depending on the level of mineralization. However, an individual can lose collagen components in the body due to exposure to ultraviolet light, tobacco, excessive intake of sugar, and aging.
Factors which can lead to collagen degradation include ageing (this is the main cause), disease, exposure to UV radiation and smoking. A typical form of collagen degradation associated with smoking is the loss of collagen in the skin, leading to premature ageing of the epidermis (i.e. wrinkles).
UV damage is the main cause of skin collagen loss accounting for up to 80-90% of the appearance of skin aging. UV exposure causes both, less collagen to be produced, and. it also increases collagen degradation via matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and other proteases in the skin.
Collagen levels decrease with age and, unfortunately, there's no way to prevent this. The good news is that there are several cosmetic treatments that can rebuild or restore collagen.
"It's worth remembering that coffee doesn't destroy collagen, it inhibits its production," says nutritional therapist at the Pulse Light Clinic, Lisa Borg.
Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body as both are important for skin. Foods such as oranges, red peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C.
Ultraviolet rays, aka sunlight, cause collagen to break down faster. With sun exposure, those UV rays damage the skin by entering the dermis (the second and thickest layer of our skin) which causes collagen to break down faster.
Results. Caffeine inhibited collagen biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism of this process was found at the level of prolidase activity. Caffeine significantly inhibited the enzyme activity.
Collagen can't be absorbed by the body in its whole form. This means collagen proteins must be broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids before they can be absorbed.
Collagen can be restored, because when these treatments happen, the body forms new collagen to repair damage and injuries. Alternatively, food is an excellent way to stimulate collagen production, leading to its restoration within the body.
The result is redness and a bright ruddy complexion, which may not go away. Drinking in moderation can help, though abstinence is best. Alcohol over a period of years will steadily destroy collagen, which is what gives our skin its smooth elasticity.
Age. Collagen production starts to dip in most people's bodies from the time they're in their late teens or early 20s and decreases about 1% a year2 . However, the exact age that this process starts is different for everyone, says Goldenberg. This collagen attenuation picks up pace during and after menopause.
Generally, collagen protein can be safely added to hot coffee, as brewing temperatures are usually below the point at which collagen proteins break down. It can also be added to buttered or bulletproof coffee, though it may not provide additional benefits.
Rebuilding Collagen
As a rule of thumb, the body needs about 12 weeks to rebuild collagen. This is a fairly short period of time given that it takes years to degrade collagen in a way that causes visible signs of aging.
In collagenous tissues, under normal healthy conditions, only specialized enzymes called collagenases can break down collagen molecules. Fibrils as aggregates of collagen molecules are degraded starting from the exterior.
Progesterone and estrogen differentially regulate components of collagen and elastic fibers.
Because of the high content of specific amino acids, including hydroxyproline-proline and hydroxyproline-glycine, collagen peptides are easily absorbed within the body and improve skin, joint, and bone health.