Richie Kirwan: Collagen supplements are booming, but do they live up to the hype?

The booming collagen market is fuelled by bold claims, but the scientific evidence remains far more nuanced

Collagen is everywhere: powder, shakes, gummies, capsules, beauty sachets, even coffee shots.

Even if you have no interest in nutrition and health, you’d need to be pretty sheltered to have never heard of collagen. The premium protein powder is everywhere: shakes, gummies, capsules, beauty sachets, even coffee shots.

And if you have even a passing interest in supplements, you’ve probably heard all the things collagen is supposed to do. Reduce wrinkles? Check. Heal your joints? Check. Improve your gut health? Check. Calm your nervous system? Yeah, even that gets a check.