I have recently been contacted by a few of our customers on our social media channels of late asking why we don’t offer flavoured Collagen Liquid or Collagen gummies? Good question!
I wrote back with my answers, explaining in great detail my personal reasons as a medical health professional why I had chosen to actively avoid making these specific products that I firmly believe will do us more harm than good.
Here’s what to look out for when choosing gummies or liquid collagen and why we have chosen not to offer them.
Most foods we eat go through some kind of processing. When you cook at home, you mix primary ingredients to make your food. This might be making a smoothie or baking a cake.
This is very different from industrial processing in the mass food or supplement manufacturing industry. This type of mass processing so often adds in ingredients you wouldn't put in when home cooking, including everything from flow agents, binders, stabilisers, chemical thickeners, artificial colours, and so-called ‘healthy’ sweeteners that are 100 times sweeter than sugar. This type of finished food or supplement product is often referred to by health professionals as ultra-processed.
Why we don’t offer flavoured liquid collagen sachets or collagen gummies - AKA additive-packed ultra-processed supplements?
When additives are used in these sorts of supplements to create them and make them taste nice, there is no nutritional benefit to you; however, there is a lot of financial benefit to brands.
They can make cheaper products with less cost to themselves and create products that are more appealing with brighter colours and intensively sweeter with varying artificial fruit flavours.
Through my research as an expert in this field, I have found the key additives containing these Ultra Process Supplements can cause significant consequences to your health, which includes many of the challenges I have detailed below.
- Inflammation
- Weight gain
- Digestive issues – bloating, Irritable bowel syndrome
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
- Allergies
- Low mood & Depression
- Headaches/migraine
- Increased behavioural issues - inattention and hyperactivity
- Damage to cells
They can also cause premature ageing for the skin!
How? Through the formation of something called AGEs. Studies show that sugar and artificial sweeteners can lead to the formation of harmful molecules known as Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs).
AGEs can actually cause damage to collagen and elastin, the essential proteins for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. As a result, the skin may become more prone to wrinkles, sagging, and a dull appearance. The last thing you want when actively taking something to improve your appearance and support healthy ageing.
Inflammation: High sugar and sweetener intake can also lead to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been associated with various skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, and eczema. Inflammation can worsen existing skin issues and contribute to the development of new ones.
Disruption of gut microbiota: Emerging research suggests that artificial sweeteners alter the composition of the gut microbiota, the trillions of bacteria that inhabit our digestive system. A healthy gut microbiota is important for overall well-being, including skin health. Imbalances in the gut microbiota can impact collagen synthesis and contribute to skin issues.
This is why I am passionate about natural ingredients and have avoided jumping on a trend to manufacture gummies or flavoured liquids. I created our marine collagen products to heal and rejuvenate damaged skin.
This is why we have only one ingredient – double hydrolysed collagen peptides from wild-caught fish skins. Adding sugars, sweeteners, and preservatives would go against all my values.
Please find a list below of the main ingredients or, should I say, ultra-processed ingredient ‘culprits’ I personally choose to avoid in the food I eat or the supplements I create.
Sweeteners
- Stevia E960
- Erythritol E968
- Sucralose E955
- Aspartame E951
- Sorbitol E420
- Acesulfame K E950
- Saccharin (E954)
- Glucose syrup
Preservatives
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
Excipients
- Flow agents
- Magnesium Stearate
- Silicon Dioxide
- Talc powder
- Shellac - secretion from the female Lac Bug
- Carmine – Colour
- Maltitol – sugar alcohol
- Dicalcium Phosphate – polishing agent
- Titanium Dioxide – polishing agent
- Mannitol – Sugar alcohol
- Carrageenan - thickener
If you have any further questions, need any more advice, or would like more information on this topic, please know that as a valued customer, I want you to always feel your well-being is a priority and that you get the support you need on your journey.
With gratitude,
Dr Dinuk
