Collagen supplement improves satiety according to new research

29-Oct-2024 - Last updated on 29-Oct-2024 at 16:07 GMT

The human randomized control trial, published in the journal Nutrients, ​showed that after taking 20g of a technologically modified collagen supplement daily for three months, participants with overweight or obesity decreased their weight and body mass index (BMI) and had fewer feelings of hunger.

The supplement had additional positive effects on waist size, systolic blood pressure, fatty liver index, and fat-free mass.

As a hypocaloric diet did not accompany the study, the researchers hypothesize that the supplement's swelling capacity induced fullness when taken with water, affecting appetite-regulating hormones and sensations of hunger.

Supplements that induce satiety have the potential to control hunger and overconsuming calories in individuals who are overweight or considered obese.

Studies have shown that modified gels from plant sources such as RPG dietary fiber​, cellulose​, and deacetylated konjac glucomannan​ can enhance satiety and aid in weight management. These compounds can absorb water and expand their volume, meaning that people feel fuller when they consume them.

The authors of the current study note that few studies have assessed compounds of animal origin, such as collagen, for this purpose.

Bovine collagen consists of very long amino acid chains, which make it useful for diverse functions in food technology. When the structure of collagen is modified, water can be incorporated into the proteins, increasing their volume and mass.

The researchers carried out an in vitro study, human trial, and animal study.

Firstly, they tested the collagen’s digestibility in vitro and found that it showed low digestibility (less than 60%) and high swelling capacity (more than 1900%).

In the human trial, 64 overweight or obese adults were randomized into an experimental or control group for the 12-week study period, and both received healthy dietary recommendations.

The control group took a protein bar enriched with bovine collagen and 250 ml water 45 minutes before lunch and 45 minutes before dinner, and the experimental group took only the water. The energy value for each bar was 90 kcal, and the total collagen in both bars was 20g.

After three months, the collagen group significantly decreased their weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and fatty liver index and increased their fat-free mass compared to the control group.

They reported feeling fuller after the supplement with fewer feelings of hunger, and the levels of the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite, had decreased. They also noticed more feelings of thirst, although this was not significant compared to the control group.

The researchers also observed decreased levels of the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite, in rats given the supplement.

“These data suggest that taking 10 grams of this collagen before lunch and dinner should improve adhering to a dietary regimen or reduce snacks between meals,” researcher Fermín Ignacio Milagro told NutraIngredients.

Because the study didn’t measure the participants' nutritional intake, the researchers note that they can’t be certain that the collagen supplement reduced the caloric intake or if there are other mechanisms at play. They recommend that further research be carried out to clarify this.

“A new intervention study in a population with higher levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure or transaminases, and controlling food intake could help to clarify the mechanism of action and the potential additional benefits of this technologically modified collagen,” Milagro said.

“A postprandial analysis of gastrointestinal peptides - acyl-ghrelin, CCK, GLP-1, and PYY - could also help to discern the effect on satiation.”

Source: Nutrients ​2024, 16(20), 3550; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203550​“Anti-obesity effects of a collagen with low digestibility and high swelling capacity: a human randomized control trial.”Authors: M. Lopez-Yoldi at al.

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Related topics Research Proteins, peptides, amino acids Weight management