Foods That Boost Collagen Production

Collagen is an important protein that your body uses to support connective tissue in joints, keep skin wrinkle-free, and maintain the lining of your GI tract. Your body makes collagen on its own, but production slows down as you get older and certain whole foods can help. Beef broth contains the protein itself and is thought of as the go-to for collagen support, but there are plenty of other options that help support the production of collagen in your body:

• Red Peppers
Amazingly enough, one cup of red peppers gets you 317% of your daily vitamin C, which plays a major role in synthesizing collagen.

• Citrus Fruits
Fruits like oranges and grapefruits provide 120-160% DV (daily value) of vitamin C for plenty of collagen-boosting support.

• Broccoli
One cup of raw broccoli provides you with 135% DV vitamin C, giving you a vegetable option to get your vitamin C in.

• Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, chard, and collard greens are good sources of vitamin C (among other things) but also contain chlorophyll that increases the precursor to collagen called procollagen.

• Beef
If you’d rather eat your beef instead of drinking it, you’re still getting beneficial zinc and also three of the amino acids that make up collagen.

• Fish
Fish like salmon helps collagen by providing amino acids, but if you’re able to eat the skin too, you’ll be getting the added benefit of consuming Type I collagen.

• Eggs
However you want to eat them, eggs are a great choice. The yolks contain collagen and the whites provide helpful amino acids.