As one of the body’s most crucial proteins, it’s no wonder so many people are looking to supplement their collagen intake to support their gut health, hair, skin and nails, natural immunity and more.
Just search ‘collagen supplements’ on Google and you’ll be flooded with pills and powders which offer an easy way to up your intake, but are they really the best option?
In this blog, we’re looking at bone broth vs collagen supplements, to see which of these collagen-rich products is best for your health.
What is Bone Broth?
If you’re looking to get more collagen into your diet, you may not have considered bone broth as an option, but it offers an entirely natural, gut-friendly way to get more of this valuable protein.
Made by simmering collagen-rich, meaty bones for up to 24 hours, bone broth is a nutritionally-dense liquid which is high in natural collagen Types I, II and III, depending on the flavour. Beef bone broth provides Types I and III collagen, whereas chicken bone broth will provide Type II.
Bone broth also contains a broad range of other nutrients, including protein, amino acids and hydrating electrolytes, as well as vitamins and minerals.
With such a depth of nutrition, there are many benefits associated with bone broth. Its collagen content can support better gut health, as well as improve the texture and strength of your hair, skin and nails, and its vitamins and minerals can boost your natural immunity. These are just a few of the benefits of bone broth - discover more here.
What are Collagen Supplements?
Collagen supplements or powders (sometimes also called collagen peptides or hydrolysed collagen) are a highly processed form of collagen.
Similarly to bone broth, most supplements contain Types I, II or III collagen, but this collagen is often derived from lower quality sources, such as bovine hides or chicken cartilage. These supplements may seem like an easy way to boost your collagen intake, but you’re potentially missing out on a host of other nutrients and bone broth benefits.
Many of these powders and pills can be manufactured using intense processing methods involving enzymes and deodorising agents, as well as solvents such as hexane or chloroform methane. In lab tests [1], many collagen supplements have even been shown to contain heavy metals such as cadmium.
This heavy processing strips away any additional nutrients, resulting in a synthetic powder with little nutritional value and a host of potential side effects.
Comparison: Bone Broth vs Collagen Supplements
So, now we know what they are, let’s take a look at them side by side.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, there is no comparison between bone broth and collagen supplements.
Supplements are high in collagen, but they typically contain several artificial ingredients and no other nutrients. Freja bone broth, on the other hand, also contains many other nutrients, including additional proteins, amino acids and electrolytes, as well as vitamins and minerals.
With a broader nutritional profile, the collagen in bone broth offers a wider breadth of health benefits to enjoy.
Winner: Bone Broth
Bioavailability
No matter how nutrient-dense a supplement or product is, if your body can’t effectively absorb it, you’re not going to see the benefits.
As collagen supplements are specifically formulated for better absorption, they are highly bioavailable but often lack the additional nutrients found in whole foods [2].
The collagen in bone broth is a highly bioavailable form as it comes from natural, whole food sources and contains additional nutrients which support better utilisation in the body [3]. These other nutrients include zinc and vitamin C, which can also help to further enhance the production of collagen [4,5].
Made with natural ingredients, bone broth can also be easier to digest and gentler on the gut for many people [6].
Winner: Bone Broth
Convenience
Collagen supplements are designed to be as easy to use as possible, whether it’s in pill form or a powder which can be added to foods and drinks.
In its ‘classic’ form, our bone broth is shelf-stable for up to 24 months and can be consumed easily as a drink, or used to cook with. To make things even easier, our Bone Broth Nutrition powder can also be added to a variety of foods and drinks, helping you to easily boost your nutrition intake throughout the day.
Only have a few seconds to spare? Our newest product, the Bone Broth Shake, is an instant homemade-style milkshake packed with all the nutrition of bone broth, and it takes just a few seconds to make.
When it comes to convenience, both bone broth and collagen supplements are easy and quick to use.
Winner: It’s a tie!
Ingredients
Our classic bone broth is made from four simple, wholefood ingredients - water, meaty bones, vegetables and herbs. There are no additives, binders, fillers or artificial ingredients whatsoever.
Collagen supplements, however, are subjected to many chemicals and artificial processes during production, which strip away the nutritional value and leave you with an artificial product. Many additives are also found in collagen supplements, from artificial sweeteners and flavourings to GMOs.
Winner: Bone Broth
How to Use Bone Broth
If you’re interested in trying bone broth but are unsure how to utilise it properly, our bone broth comes in three versatile forms, making it easy to fit into your lifestyle.
Classic Bone Broth
Our classic Bone Broth is bone broth in its original form - a delicious, nutritious liquid broth. This can easily be consumed as a drink, hot or cold, or used as the base for soups, stews and many other recipes.
If you’re looking for the most nutritious daily sip, our Beef Bone Broth is the UK’s most nourishing option, with 25g protein and 18g collagen packed into each carton.
Bone Broth Nutrition Powder
If you’re looking for the nutrition of bone broth but not the flavour, our Bone Broth Nutrition is a versatile, mildly flavoured powder which can be discreetly added to any number of recipes.
Use our Bone Broth Nutrition in your morning smoothie or evening meal for a quick and easy collagen boost.
The Bone Broth Shake
The Freja Bone Broth Shake is a subtly sweet, indulgent way to get all the nourishing benefits of bone broth in a delicious and convenient milkshake.
Available as Vanilla Bean, Wild Strawberry, Raw Cacao or Unflavoured, the Bone Broth Shake takes just seconds to make. Use a shake as a nutritious breakfast on the go, a way to recharge after the gym, or a healthy guilt-free treat for the family any time of the day.
Conclusion
When it comes to bone broth vs collagen supplements, bone broth offers many benefits that collagen supplements just can’t match. From 100% natural ingredients to a vastly superior nutritional profile, bone broth is the best way to increase your collagen intake and keep feeling your best.
Explore our bone broth collection and discover how it can help you achieve your health goals.
References
[1] Organic Consumers Association. 2020. Clean Label Project: The True Content and Faces Behind America’s Best-Selling Collagen. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Organic-Consumers-Assoc-White-Paper_Updated.pdf
[2] Alyssa Pike, Collagen Supplementation: Is It All Hype?, Food Insight, https://foodinsight.org/collagen-supplementation-is-it-all-hype/#, June 2019
[3] Mary Jane Brown, Synthetic vs Natural Nutrients - Does it Matter?, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/synthetic-vs-natural-nutrients, Healthline, August 2016
[4] DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF. Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018 Oct 25;6(10):2325967118804544. doi: 10.1177/2325967118804544. PMID: 30386805; PMCID: PMC6204628.
[5] Seo HJ, Cho YE, Kim T, Shin HI, Kwun IS. Zinc may increase bone formation through stimulating cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Nutr Res Pract. 2010 Oct;4(5):356-61. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2010.4.5.356. Epub 2010 Oct 26. PMID: 21103080; PMCID: PMC2981717.
[6] Edie Horstman, Bone Broth vs. Collagen: A Nutritionist Settles the Debate, Camille Styles, https://camillestyles.com/wellness/bone-broth-vs-collagen/, Nov 2023
