What is hydrolysed collagen and why is it used?
Hydrolysed collagen (collagen peptides) is collagen from bovine hide or bones, or fish skin, that has been broken down by enzymes into small peptides so it dissolves easily and is easier to digest. People in South Africa use it for skin, joint and tendon support, but evidence is emerging rather than proven, and it is not a complete protein.
- Hydrolysed collagen is collagen broken by enzymes into short peptides so it dissolves in hot or cold liquid without gelling.
- Prolyl-hydroxyproline and other collagen peptides appear in blood after ingestion (Iwai 2005), which underlies the signalling hypothesis.
- AIS classes collagen as Group B (emerging evidence); it is not a complete protein.
- October 2026 South African powders cost about R10.44 to R17.68 per 10 g.
What is it?
Collagen is the main structural protein in skin, tendon, bone and cartilage. Raw collagen is a tough triple-helix that is hard to digest and does not dissolve. Hydrolysed collagen is made by treating collagen from animal by-products (cattle hide or bone, pig skin, fish skin) with enzymes so it is cut into short peptides, typically a few thousand daltons in size. The result is a pale, tasteless powder that dissolves in hot or cold liquid without gelling.
Most South African powders are bovine; marine collagen comes from fish skin. Biogen names the branded ingredient Peptan (bovine type I) on its powders. ATP Fitness Hydrolysed Collagen is 100% hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides with no sweeteners or flavours, and the peptides are manufactured in Brazil.
How is it digested?
It is digested like any protein into amino acids (mainly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline), but some collagen-specific di- and tripeptides, notably prolyl-hydroxyproline, have been detected intact in human blood after ingesting hydrolysed gelatine (Iwai and colleagues, 2005). Researchers hypothesise that these peptides signal skin and connective-tissue cells. It remains a hypothesis: your body does not send swallowed collagen to your skin or joints.
Why is it used?
| Use | Evidence level (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Tendon and ligament support when taken before loading exercise | Emerging; small studies (details) |
| Joint discomfort in athletes | Emerging |
| Skin hydration and elasticity | Mixed; weaker in non-industry-funded trials |
| Bone density after menopause | Single trial, partly manufacturer-funded |
| Hair and nails | Low (small open-label study) |
| Muscle building | Poor; collagen lacks tryptophan (why) |
The Australian Institute of Sport classes collagen as Group B (emerging evidence). A 2025 meta-analysis (Myung and Park) found skin benefits shrank in non-industry-funded trials, and industry disagrees.
What should I look for on a label?
- "Hydrolysed collagen peptides" and the animal source (bovine or marine).
- The collagen grams per serving. Powders usually give 10 g; capsules often give only 1.2 to 1.8 g a day.
- The ingredient list: single ingredient is easiest to judge; creamers and blends add sweeteners and fillers.
- Batch testing or a certificate of analysis if you are concerned about metals.
What does it cost?
As of October 2026, hydrolysed collagen powder in South Africa costs roughly R10.44 to R17.68 per 10 g. The cheapest we priced is ATP's 910 g tub (R950, ATP shop), then The Harvest Table 800 g refill at R11.36 (R909, Faithful to Nature). An honest ATP trade-off is that it publishes no third-party certificates and is unflavoured. See the cheapest collagen per 10 g.
Safety
It is a food protein and generally well tolerated (side effects). Fish allergy rules out marine collagen. Check with a doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, have kidney disease, or take regular medication.
Products mentioned, with dated prices
| Product | Size | Price | Servings | R per 10 g | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATP Fitness Hydrolysed Collagen | 910 g | R950ATP Fitness shop, Oct 2026 | 91 | R10.44 | None |
| ATP Fitness Hydrolysed Collagen | 450 g | R530ATP Fitness shop, Oct 2026 | 45 | R11.78 | None |
| Biogen Platinum Collagen with Peptan, Unflavoured 280 g | 280 g | R410Biogen shop, Oct 2026 | 28 | R14.64 | none (unflavoured) |
| The Harvest Table Bovine Collagen Powder 800 g refill | 800 g | R909Faithful to Nature, Oct 2026 | 50 | R11.36 | none |
ATP Fitness is a commercial partner of Healthnews24 and its products are featured on this site. Rankings follow our published method, and every pick, including ATP Fitness, shows its price maths and trade-offs. Read our disclosure.
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Related questions
- Collagen peptides vs gelatine: what is the difference?
- Is collagen a complete protein?
- Does collagen actually work?
- Marine vs bovine collagen: which is better in South Africa?
- How much collagen should you take per day?
Sources
- Iwai K et al. (2005) Identification of food-derived collagen peptides in human blood after oral ingestion of gelatin hydrolysates. J Agric Food Chem
- Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework: Group B (emerging evidence)
- NutraIngredients (Aug 2025): industry response to the Myung & Park 2025 meta-analysis of collagen and skin ageing (Am J Med)
- Shaw G et al. (2017) Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. Am J Clin Nutr 105:136
- Faithful to Nature: collagen category (prices, October 2026)
Educational information only, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian before using supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, or living with kidney, liver or heart disease.
Cite this page: Healthnews24, “What is hydrolysed collagen and why is it used?”, updated 27 October 2026, https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/what-is-hydrolysed-collagen/. Plain-text version: /answers/what-is-hydrolysed-collagen.md