If you’ve heard anything about collagen, you’ve likely heard about Vital Proteins- a collagen brand that has been around for a decade and has become synonymous with collagen supplements. With Jennifer Aniston’s backing and an ever-growing lineup of health supplements, it’s earned its place as one of the most recognizable collagen supplements out there.
The rise in popularity of collagen in recent years is tied to the rise in Vital Proteins, but why all the craze for collagen now? Research into the benefits of adding a collagen supplement is pouring in, and the results are pretty astounding. From the inside out, collagen is helping people with hair growth, glowing skin, healthy joints, stronger bones, improved gut health, and more.
What People Are Saying About Vital Proteins Collagen
Vital Proteins collagen has a huge number of reviews on Amazon alone, coming in at around 216,000. That’s a staggering number, and while many of the reviews are positive (76%) and this is one of the most popular collagen products on the market, such a huge number has us wondering if any of those are somehow paid for.
Either way, the product has overall great reviews, both on Amazon (and on blogs and articles), in part because of the dissolvability (especially of the unflavored version) and the high protein and collagen content (20 g and 18 g respectively). It doesn’t hurt that the queen of sitcoms, Jennifer Anniston, joined the Vital Proteins team as Chief Creative Officer in 2020. If nothing else, her proximity to the brand certainly boosts the likelihood the collagen curious would try Vital Proteins in their first foray into the supplement. The primary Vital Proteins collagen is bovine, but they do offer marine collagen in a separate product.
However, some customers aren’t loving everything about Vital Proteins. From the chalky taste of the chocolate flavor to the stomach problems (expected with such a high collagen count), some people say this isn’t your best bet for a collagen project.
Complaints are to be expected; not everyone is going to love every flavor of every product. And stomach discomfort when you start taking collagen supplements is fairly normal, especially if you don’t ease your system into it.
But the biggest problem is the inconsistency of quality between the store-bought version and the Amazon version. Some reviewers claim that they’ve tried both, and when they realized that the Amazon version wasn’t as full and also more likely to give them stomach problems, they switched to buying Vital Proteins exclusively from stores.
The Science Behind Vital Proteins Collagen
Vital Proteins collagen is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine material, and has one of the highest collagen and protein content we’ve seen in a collagen product. Because this product is hydrolyzed, it’s easier for the body to absorb and then use effectively. Vital Proteins also has hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, both of which help improve skin health and aid in the absorption of collagen.
The company has also hired an in-house Functional Nutritionist, which is not only helpful in terms of product development but she’s written for their blog offering her expertise on collagen.
Because Vital Proteins only has one source (either bovine or marine) you aren’t getting the full benefit of collagen in one product—but some people prefer just one source for a multitude of reasons. A single source of collagen means you aren’t getting all five types of collagen, which, again, means you aren’t getting the full range of benefits from the collagen. All of that being said, Vital Proteins is one of the best options for people looking to build muscle quickly (all that protein helps!) and people who like to switch flavors to keep their collagen routine interesting.
How To Use Vital Proteins Collagen
Vital Proteins collagen comes in several flavors and is either bovine-sourced or marine sourced. One of the benefits of this particular brand is the near-constant innovation of the product—from new flavors to their latest addition of collagen bars. Because of the innovation in their collagen products, you are likely to find some version of collagen that can work for you.
If you are unfamiliar with collagen, start by trying their unflavored collagen first. We recommend, especially with such a high collagen and protein content, to start your collagen regimen with a quarter of the recommended serving size for the first week or so. Then slowly add a quarter of the recommended serving size every week until you are at the full recommended serving. Track how your body responds and if you start to feel off, adjust your collagen intake until your body is used to it. Regardless of how you want to take Vital Proteins (in your morning coffee, as a supplement to your smoothies, or in a glass of your favorite cold drink), the best way to make sure you are getting the benefits of collagen is consistency. So whatever your current beverage routine is, add collagen to that particular beverage. If you need to switch up the flavor, opt for the vanilla and add it to your oatmeal or yogurt in the morning.
Vital Proteins: The No Fuss Collagen Supplement
Vital Proteins and collagen are almost synonymous in most people’s minds, and for good reason. An established brand with a high-profile celebrity backing it, it’s sure to become one of the most well-known collagen products on the market. This is a solid collagen product with 18 g of collagen, plenty of five-star reviews from around the web, and plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from.
Steer clear of the chocolate flavor, stay in tune with your body to ensure you don’t upset your stomach too much too fast, and you should have a decent experience with Vital Proteins collagen. This collagen is a great option for everyone, especially women who are ready to slow the negative effects of low collagen production. Vital Proteins collagen is a great option if you want a no-fuss collagen, and don’t mind that it’s just single-sourced collagen.
To see the complete list of products we reviewed for the best collagen for women, check out our review.
