Rundercollageen

Bovine Collagen: What Is It and What Are Its Benefits?

Geschreven door: Ebrina van der Bijl

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Gepubliceerd op:

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Leesduur: 8 min

Bovine collagen is a form of collagen derived from cattle, and is very similar to the collagen found in our own bodies.

Collagen is a protein naturally occurring in your skin , where it's part of the connective tissue. It's also found in bones , cartilage , tendons , and teeth , where it contributes to the structure of these tissues.

After the age of 30, our bodies' natural collagen production gradually declines. Many people therefore choose to supplement their diet with bovine collagen.

In this article, you'll learn exactly what bovine collagen is, what its potential benefits are, and what to look for when choosing bovine collagen powder.

Bovine collagen is hydrolyzed collagen from cattle (type I & III) that dissolves well, is better absorbed and supports connective tissue.

After age 30, collagen production declines by ~1% annually; supplementing with bovine collagen benefits skin, joints, and bones.

Compared to fish collagen, bovine collagen also contains type III and is more affordable, neutral in taste and suitable for people with a fish allergy.

Table of contents
What is Bovine Collagen? Types of Bovine Collagen The Best Type of Collagen? There Simply Isn't One What is Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen? What Does Bovine Collagen Do for Your Health? What's Better: Bovine Collagen or Fish Collagen? The Benefits of (Hydrolyzed) Bovine Collagen Which Foods Contain High levels of Bovine Collagen? Collagen Through Diet (Direct) Making Your Own Collagen (Indirect) Why Supplement with Bovine Collagen Powder? Consider These Things When Choosing the Right Bovine Collagen

What is bovine collagen?

Collagen can be obtained from various animal sources for supplements, such as fish, chicken, or pork. Bovine collagen, also known as bovine collagen , is derived specifically from cattle .

It is extracted from collagen-rich parts such as:

  • Bones
  • Skin
  • Tendons
  • Other types of connective tissues

During production, these animal tissues are boiled to release the collagen. It is then purified, dried, and processed into a fine powder that you can use as a supplement.

Types of bovine collagen

There are more than 20 types of collagen in the human body, but the most important are types I, II, and III . These types are also found in animals.

Bovine collagen mainly contains types I and III , which are also naturally found in your skin and connective tissue.

In addition to collagen, bovine collagen also contains amino acids such as glycine and proline, which are building blocks of proteins and therefore also of the collagen that your body produces itself.

The best type of collagen? There simply isn't one.

There isn't one type of collagen that's inherently the best. Different types are found in different parts of your body and each performs its own function.

So it all depends on what you want to use collagen for:

  • Type I is mainly found in skin, bones and tendons
  • Type II is mainly found in cartilage
  • Type III is found in skin, blood vessels and connective tissue, among other places

Good to know : In research, type I is often used for skin applications, and type II in studies of joint function. However, no health claims have yet been approved for these applications in Europe.

What is hydrolyzed bovine collagen?

Supplements almost always use hydrolyzed bovine collagen.

This is collagen that has been cut into smaller pieces during production, making it more soluble in water and easier for the body to absorb.

This form is also called collagen peptides .

These are the main differences between hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed collagen:

Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen (Collagen Peptides):

  • Is cut into small pieces (hydrolyzed)
  • Better absorbed by the body (1) (2)
  • Dissolves easily in water or other liquids
  • Found in most collagen powders and supplements

Non-hydrolyzed bovine collagen:

  • Has retained its original, long structure
  • Is more difficult for the body to absorb
  • Dissolves less well in liquids
  • Found in natural sources such as bone broth

In short : If you choose a collagen supplement, the hydrolyzed form is usually the most practical and easily absorbed.

What does bovine collagen do for your health?

Collagen is widely used in both cosmetics and nutritional supplements. Beauty claims are permitted in cosmetics if they are well-substantiated, such as:

  • Hydrates the skin*
  • Contributes to a healthy appearance of the skin*
  • Maintains skin elasticity*
  • Helps with the first signs of skin aging* (3) (4)

Unfortunately, things are a little different for supplements. Although several studies have examined bovine collagen powder with positive results , the EFSA believes there is still insufficient evidence to support official health claims.

Good to know : This does not mean that collagen has no effect, but it does mean that more large-scale and well-designed research is needed to meet the strict requirements for nutritional claims.

What's better: Beef collagen or fish collagen?

Many people wonder which collagen is better, bovine collagen or fish collagen?

Bovine collagen and fish collagen are both good sources of type I collagen , but they differ slightly in composition and absorption.

  • Fish collagen contains almost only type I and has a lower molecular mass, which allows it to be absorbed slightly faster
  • Bovine collagen contains type I as well as type III collagen and is also very well absorbed

In short : Which one is better depends on your preference, diet, and what you intend to use the collagen for. In practice, both are well absorbed, especially if they are hydrolyzed.

The benefits of (hydrolyzed) bovine collagen

Yet, many people consciously choose bovine collagen. Although fish collagen is absorbed somewhat faster, bovine collagen has several clear advantages that make it a popular choice:

  1. Neutral in odor and taste and therefore ideal for mixing in smoothies or other drinks
  2. It is more affordable than fish collagen, without compromising on quality
  3. Rich in type I and type III collagen
  4. Suitable for people with a fish or shellfish allergy
  5. It is rich in important amino acids such as glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, exactly the building blocks your body uses to produce its own collagen.

In short : For those looking for a widely applicable and easily absorbable collagen supplement, bovine collagen is a logical and effective choice.

Which foods contain a lot of bovine collagen?

You can get bovine collagen in two ways: through your diet or as a supplement . The most natural way is through food, especially beef products, which are naturally rich in collagen.

Your body can also produce collagen itself, but it needs sufficient nutrients from your diet. Below, I'll explain how this works and which foods are best to choose.

Collagen through food (direct)

Bovine collagen in food is mainly found in animal products rich in connective tissue. Think of:

  • Beef Bone Broth – Made by steeping beef bones for a long time
  • Connective tissue-rich beef – Such as oxtail, beef cheeks or brisket
  • Beef hide – For example in stews or homemade gelatinous preparations

Tip : Slowly cooking or stewing collagen-rich parts like bones, skin, and connective tissue is a good way to release collagen. During this process, the collagen is converted into gelatin, which is easily absorbed by your body. (5)

Produce collagen yourself (indirectly)

Your body also produces collagen from amino acids like glycine, proline, and lysine. You get these from protein-rich foods , both plant-based (such as legumes, soy, nuts, and seeds) and animal-based (such as eggs, dairy, meat, and fish).

In addition, vitamin C , zinc , and copper are also necessary for this process to function properly. Good sources include bell peppers, citrus fruits, nuts, and whole grains.

  • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation in the skin
  • Zinc helps maintain healthy skin, hair and nails
  • Biotin supports normal skin and hair function

Tip : For vegans and vegetarians, this is an effective way to support collagen production through diet.

Why supplement with bovine collagen powder?

Besides collagen from food and your own production, you can also opt for a supplement. Hydrolyzed bovine collagen powder contains small collagen peptides that are easily absorbed.

Did you know that collagen production in your skin peaks somewhere between the ages of 25 and 34? After that, natural production slowly begins to decline, on average by about 1% per year (6) (7).

This decrease is very normal, but it is also the reason why many people choose a collagen supplement later in life

Pay attention to this when choosing good bovine collagen

Want to get the most out of your bovine collagen? Then pay attention to these points. This way, you can be sure you're choosing a supplement that can truly benefit your body.

  1. Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen – This is more absorbable than non-hydrolyzed collagen
  2. Type I and III collagen – These types are most common in skin, connective tissue and bones
  3. Grass-fed cattle – Collagen from grass-fed cattle is often purer and comes from animals with a natural diet
  4. No unnecessary additives – Choose a powder without fillers, sweeteners or artificial flavours
  5. Added nutrients – Think of vitamin C, zinc or biotin that support the functioning of collagen

Our Collagen Premium – Grass-Fed bovine collagen meets all these criteria, and contains pure collagen peptides from European cattle.

Tip: Also check out our article on the best collagen powder for complete advice on how to recognize the best collagen powder

Ebrina van der Bijl - Natural Performance

Ebrina van der Bijl

Ebrina is a nutritionist with a deep commitment to healthy eating and a sustainable lifestyle, based in beautiful Portugal. Her passion for natural and organic products is at the heart of her work. With a background in Nutrition & Dietetics and experience in product development and writing, she translates complex scientific information into practical advice for a balanced lifestyle.

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Sources used

  1. Skov, K., Oxfeldt, M., Thøgersen, R., Hansen, M., & Bertram, H. C. (2019). Enzymatic Hydrolysis of a Collagen Hydrolyzate Enhances Postprandial Absorption Rate—A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(5), 1064. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051064
  2. Virgilio, N., Schön, C., Mödinger, Y., Van Der Steen, B., Vleminckx, S., Van Holthoon, FL, Kleinnijenhuis, AJ, Silva, CIF, & Prawitt, J. (2024). Absorption of bioactive peptides following collagen hydrolyzate intake: a randomized, double-blind crossover study in healthy individuals. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1416643
  3. De Miranda, R.B., Weimer, P., & Rossi, R.C. (2021). Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. International Journal Of Dermatology, 60(12), 1449–1461. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15518
  4. Choi, FD, Sung, CT, Juhasz, ML, & Mesinkovska, N.A. (2019). Oral collagen supplementation: A systematic review of dermatological applications. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology , 18(1), 9–16. PMID: 30681787
  5. Meng, Q., Zhou, J., Gao, D., Xu, E., Guo, M., & Liu, D. (2021). Desorption of nutrients and flavor compounds formation during the cooking of bone soup. Food Control, 132, 108408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108408
  6. Reilly, D. M., & Lozano, J. (2021). Skin collagen through the life stages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plastic And Aesthetic Research, 8, 2. https://doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153
  7. Varani, J., Dame, M. K., Rittie, L., Fligiel, S. E., Kang, S., Fisher, G. J., & Voorhees, J. J. (2006). Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin. American Journal Of Pathology, 168(6), 1861–1868. https://doi.org/10.2353/ajpath.2006.051302
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