Leafy greens
It's no surprise that these veggies are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost collagen production.
Carrots are a rich source of beta carotene and vitamin A which are amazing when it comes to boosting the production of collagen. Carrots are also great for improving skin elasticity and increase blood flow to the skin.
As well as being high in vitamin C which supports collagen production, broccoli is also high in calcium – another mineral that is linked to lowering the blood levels of the proteins that are known to promote bone breakdown.
Studies have also found that the sterolins in avocado oil can significantly increase the amount of collagen in the skin. Collagen breaks down as we age, making avocado oil an excellent skincare addition for people with mature skin.
Eating foods that contain vitamin C and antioxidants, avoiding smoking, limiting caffeine intake, and protecting the skin from sunlight may all help preserve collagen or boost its production.
Eat a balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of protein. “High-protein foods contain amino acids that are critical for collagen synthesis,” says Garshick. Lean protein sources include fish, seafood, skinless chicken breast, and lean cuts of beef and pork.
Bone broth
Dr. Bradley says her favorite collagen-boosting brew is bone broth. Bone broth draws collagen out of beef, chicken or fish bones, leaving a flavorful liquid that you can drink straight up or use in other dishes.
Manganese in bananas is good for your skin
One medium-sized banana provides approximately 13% of your daily manganese needs. Manganese helps your body make collagen and protects your skin and other cells against free radical damage.
Here are some of the best foods to include in your diet in order to build and protect collagen: Plant-Based High Protein Foods: Beans and legumes, including lentils, chickpeas, green peas, etc. Whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, buckwheat, etc.
1. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) The “Queen of Fruits” is touted not only as one of the highest natural sources of vitamin C (vital for collagen production), but also for its abundance of antioxidants.
To make collagen—or any protein—your body combines amino acids. You can get amino acids by eating and digesting protein-rich foods, like meat, beans, and dairy products, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Then your body can repurpose the amino acids into collagen.
Collagen is a protein that serves as one of the main building blocks for your bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. "Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz.
After 12 weeks of taking a supplement with hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals, patients in this study experienced improved skin firmness and hydration, as well as a lessened appearance of wrinkles. Collagen can help to reverse signs of skin aging by boosting elasticity in the skin.
How vitamin D deficiency leads to accelerated skin aging isn't fully understood. However, some experts suspect it has something to do with vitamin D's protective and antioxidant properties on the skin.
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.
d) Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds and sesame seeds are rich sources of zinc and copper that promote collagen synthesis in the body [13] [14].
Refined Carbs
Crackers, cookies, cereal, pasta, bread and baked goods contain sugar and chemicals that are damaging to collagen molecules, thereby diminishing the quality of the tissue, and can erode the quantity of your collagen as well.
Fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are high in collagen, as are shellfish. However, the flesh of fish is not a particularly rich source of collagen. Instead, most of this vital protein is in the “less desirable” tissues of the fish, such as the scales, eyeballs, fins, and bones.