Collagen peptides or plain collagen?
Answer
Peptides are collagen broken into shorter chains by hydrolysis. Whole collagen is a large molecule that is not absorbed intact, so hydrolysis is what makes an oral product plausible.
Key takeaways
- What is the difference?
- Peptides are hydrolysed collagen, meaning the protein has been broken into shorter chains.
- Does it matter?
- Yes. Whole collagen is not absorbed intact, so an unhydrolysed product is worth avoiding on that basis.
- Is gelatin the same?
- Gelatin is denatured collagen, which is a different process again and is what is in jelly and stock.
Three states of the same protein
Collagen is the structural protein in skin, bone and connective tissue. Gelatin is collagen that has been denatured by heat, which is what happens in stock and what sets a jelly. Hydrolysed collagen, or collagen peptides, is collagen broken down further into short peptide chains.
The distinction matters for a supplement because whole collagen is a large molecule that is not absorbed intact. Hydrolysis is what makes an oral collagen product plausible at all.
What to look for
The words hydrolysed collagen or collagen peptides on the label. A product listing collagen with no indication of hydrolysis is worth avoiding, and it is a cheap tell about the rest of the label.
Futuro Labs Marine Collagen states type 1 hydrolysed marine collagen at 1200mg per two capsule serving, with 12mg of vitamin C at 15 percent NRV, for 28p a day. The vitamin C is the ingredient carrying the only authorised claim in this category.
Peptide size, and what it is worth
Marine collagen peptides are generally smaller than bovine ones, and the marine category leans on that hard. The reasoning is that smaller peptides absorb more readily, the difference reported is modest rather than decisive, and no authorised claim rests on it. A player choosing marine on absorption grounds is making a defensible choice on thin evidence rather than a wrong one.
The full version
- How to read a marine collagen labelThe full label method including the vitamin C threshold.
- Marine or bovine collagen for rugby players?The source question once format is settled.
The product
Futuro Labs Marine Collagen
Futuro Labs Marine Collagen is the 1200mg type 1 marine one with the vitamin C that carries the claim, at 28p a day, fish derived and UK made to GMP standards.
- 1200mg type 1 hydrolysed marine collagen
- 12mg vitamin C and 1.5mg zinc, both 15% NRV
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Fish derived. Collagen carries no claim
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Are peptides better than collagen?
They are collagen, hydrolysed. Whole collagen is not absorbed intact, so hydrolysis matters.
Is gelatin the same thing?
Gelatin is denatured collagen, which is what sets a jelly. Hydrolysed collagen is broken down further.
What should the label say?
Hydrolysed collagen or collagen peptides, plus the type and the source.