Collagen peptides (hydrolysed collagen)

Collagen peptides are also called hydrolysed collagen or collagen hydrolysate. They are made by enzymatically breaking down animal collagen into small fragments, about 2 to 5 kDa. The source is usually bovine, porcine, or fish skin and bone. Iwai and colleagues (2005) found that two hydroxyproline-containing dipeptides, Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly, appear in human blood after you swallow them. That is evidence they are absorbed as more than just free amino acids. Randomized trials of 2.5 to 10 g a day, for 8 to 24 weeks, show modest gains in skin hydration and elasticity. And meta-analyses report less pain in knee osteoarthritis. Effects on bone density and tendon healing are less consistent. In the EU, collagen peptides are regulated as food, with no EU-authorized health claim.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026

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