With age, certain body mechanisms work less well or more slowly, which can lead to certain health problems, but also to skin aging. In the case of the skin, we are witnessing two parallel phenomena: a slowdown in cell renewal and cells that begin to malfunction, particularly in terms of their production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. This results in drier and thinner skin, duller complexion, sagging skin and the appearance of wrinkles.
Good news: diet can help compensate for the lack of certain molecules. Nutritionist Alice Hantz explains the right foods to eat to stock up on collagen.
Collagen: what are its benefits for the skin?
Collagen is a protein present in all structures of the body which guarantees the suppleness of the skin. “Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and it is what maintains the suppleness and elasticity of the body’s connective tissues – namely the skin, muscles, tendons and bones.”begins Alice Hantz, who adds that collagen production decreases from the age of 25, at an average loss of 1% of collagen per year. The phenomenon is aggravated by many external factors: exposure to the sun, smoking, pollution, poor quality sleep or even being stressed.
What foods are richest in collagen?
To compensate for this reduction in collagen production, we can focus on foods rich in collagen. This is particularly the case for marrow bones, certain fish, eggs, legumes or even dairy products or certain fruits such as kiwi.
“Must also ensure you have a sufficient and appropriate intake of protein in your diet, because it is from the ingested proteins that the body will synthesize collagen., as the nutritionist explains. Foods rich in vitamin C and sulfur are also good because they promote the production of collagen in the skin. Finally, collagen supplementation can also be considered, “especially if we have difficulty achieving a rate of proteins which covers our needs” or that you are very sporty (or returning from an injury), but the expert emphasizes that“a varied and balanced diet provides what is necessary for the synthesis of collagen by the body”.