Sports research collagen peptides review | Fortune Recommends Health

By SaVanna Shoemaker, RDN

Expert Verified by Pete Nastasi, CPT, CSNC

Reviewed by Joana Neziri, MS, NASM-CPT

Fact Checked by Kelly Uhler

We evaluated Sports Research Collagen Peptides primarily based on the effectiveness and safety of its active ingredient, hydrolyzed collagen peptides. We also considered the product’s overall value and customer experience and satisfaction.

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We consulted with Pete Nastasi, NASM, a certified sports nutrition coach and personal trainer. The information in this article was fact-checked for accuracy by Kelly Uhler, who has a background in health care.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, forming a flexible matrix found in skin, bones, and connective tissues. ( 1 ) However, the body’s natural collagen production tends to decline with age. ( 2 ) For this reason, collagen peptides are a popular dietary supplement for people interested in anti-aging, skin health, joint health, or overall wellness.

One popular and inexpensive choice is Sports Research Collagen Peptides. This product contains bovine collagen to support your body’s natural collagen stores, and it’s third-party tested to ensure quality. In this Sports Research Collagen Peptides review, we’ll walk through the major benefits of collagen powder supplements , how this best-seller stands out, and who it’s a good fit for.

Sports Research Collagen Peptides provides 11 grams of collagen peptides per serving, with minimal other ingredients. Here are the most important things to know about it:

Supplementing with collagen may support skin hydration, muscle and joint recovery post-exercise, body composition, and sleep quality. ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) Before purchasing Sports Research Collagen Peptides, here are several key facts to consider:

The primary ingredient in this product is hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides derived from cowhide. The term “hydrolyzed” describes collagen that has been broken down into smaller units known as peptides. This may make the collagen easier for your body to absorb and use. ( 6 )

Each flavor provides 11 grams of collagen per serving, featuring a blend of type I and type III collagen. These are the most common types of collagen in your body, and both decline with age. Although there are over 20 types of collagen with unique structural roles, including these two offers the broadest spectrum of benefits for skin health, joint health, and overall wellness. ( 7 )

Type I collagen is the most common type, found in skin, bone, blood vessels, tendons, and other tissues. ( 8 ) Type III collagen is significant for skin health and assists in the body’s management of type I collagen, potentially impacting the visible signs of aging and overall tissue health. ( 9 ) It also appears to play an important role in regulating the body’s production and distribution of type I collagen. ( 10 ) This combination may not only supplement the body’s collagen levels, but also support its natural collagen production and maintenance processes.

Each flavor provides 40-50 calories per serving and 10-11 grams of protein. The dark chocolate flavor also contains half a gram of fat and two grams of dietary fiber from the cocoa powder.

The collagen protein in this supplement is composed of 18 different amino acids, including glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.

Glycine is a nonessential amino acid, which means the body can produce it and you don’t need to get it through your diet. However, some researchers argue that glycine should be considered an essential micronutrient due to its powerful benefits. Glycine is anti-inflammatory and plays roles in collagen synthesis, wound healing, muscle growth, and tissue generation. ( 11 )

Proline and hydroxyproline are nonessential amino acids and major components of collagen. They’re necessary for protein synthesis, which is key to skin and joint health benefits of collagen peptide supplements. ( 12 , 13 )

However, collagen peptides do not qualify as a complete protein because they don’t contain all nine essential amino acids—those which your body cannot produce on its own and must obtain through your diet. You shouldn’t depend on collagen peptides as a primary protein source for this reason, although they may be safely used for roughly one-third of your daily protein needs. ( 14 ) For a more complete protein, consider one of these protein powders reviewed by dietitians .

The use of collagen is safe and side-effect-free for most people. However, it may cause minor digestive side effects, like nausea, gas, or heartburn in some. ( 15 )

If you experience side effects from taking collagen peptides, try splitting a serving into multiple smaller servings throughout the day. If symptoms persist, you may need to stop taking the supplement and make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Sports Research Collagen Peptides are tested and certified by Informed Choice. This third-party organization ensures that products are free of contaminants and contain only the ingredients disclosed on the label (in the correct amounts).

Additionally, this product is verified non-GMO through Nutrasource’s International Genetically Modified Organism Evaluation and Notification (IGEN) Program and certified gluten-free by NSF.

To use these collagen peptides, just mix one scoop (or one packet) into your beverage of choice.

The powder dissolves better in hot liquids and may clump in cold liquids. For this reason, Sports Research recommends mixing the peptides into room temperature liquid and then adding ice after to make your drink cold. These collagen peptides can also be blended into smoothies or protein shakes.

Sports Research Collagen Peptides can be purchased through Amazon or the Sports Research website. Prices vary between these sites, as well as the various flavors and container sizes that are available.

Although buying through Amazon often means faster shipping, ordering through Sports Research allows you to utilize their satisfaction guarantee. This policy allows you to request a refund or a replacement if you’re unhappy with the product for any reason.

On Amazon, Sports Research Collagen Peptides have an average rating of 4.6 out of five stars from over 129,000 customer reviews. For the most part, reviewers are very happy with this supplement. In positive reviews, customers note that it’s easy to mix into their smoothies or morning coffee, and that after weeks or months of consistent use it does seem to improve their skin’s appearance and their achy joints.

“For cost, convenience, flavor, and effectiveness, this is the best collagen product I’ve tried overall.”

Rocky S., Amazon

However, some reviewers disagree. Although negative reviews for this product are much rarer, many negative reviewers say that even the unflavored variety has a distinct aftertaste. Some reviewers also note that it’s clumpy.

“It didn’t dissolve well, little clumps,” says Amazon reviewer Connie B., adding, “The taste was so bad I could hardly drink it.” However, Sports Research notes on its website that the peptides won’t mix well in cold beverages.

Vital Proteins is a well-known collagen peptides company and a major competitor to Sports Research. Both offer collagen peptides in multiple flavors (Sports Research in dark chocolate, vanilla, and unflavored; and Vital Proteins in unflavored, lemon, chocolate, matcha, salted caramel, strawberry lemon, and vanilla). For this comparison, we will focus on the unflavored varieties.

Formula and serving size: Both products consist solely of collagen peptides and blend type I and III collagen. Vital Proteins offers its peptides in a larger portion, four tablespoons per serving, which delivers 18 grams of protein and 20 grams of bovine collagen. Notably, Vital Proteins sources its collagen from grass-fed cows.

Cost: Vital Proteins is typically more costly, at about $1.43 per serving, compared to Sports Research’s more economical $0.90 per serving for a 16-ounce container (both prices sourced from Amazon). However, Vital Proteins’s larger serving size means it costs slightly less per gram of collagen, making it a potentially better value if you prefer grass-fed collagen and larger servings.

We’re dedicated to offering recommendations we genuinely believe will improve your daily life. This means meticulously analyzing each collagen powder from multiple angles to ensure we provide you with trustworthy and realistic suggestions.From ingredient quality, safety, taste, and more, here’s how we applied these methods to this piece.

Learn more about our collagen scoring methodology .

There are three main types of collagen (I, II, and III), each offering different health benefits and being present in different parts of the body. Type I is the most abundant and is crucial for skin, bones, and tendons. Type II is primarily found in cartilage, and Type III is important for skin and blood vessels. Collagen supplements that include all three types are valued more highly because they provide a broader range of benefits, supporting overall skin health, joint function, and connective tissue strength.

The source of collagen is important because different animal sources can vary in their effectiveness for specific health benefits. Marine and porcine collagens are particularly noted for their efficacy in improving skin elasticity and reducing joint pain, which are common reasons for taking collagen supplements. Products that use these sources or a blend that includes them are rated higher because they are more likely to deliver the desired benefits effectively.

Here are a few we consider:

Hydrolyzed collagen is rated higher because it has been broken down into smaller protein chains, known as collagen peptides, which are easier for the body to absorb and use.

The type and amount of sweeteners used in collagen can impact taste, caloric content, and health effects. We consider the sweeteners to ensure that the product meets preferences for taste while aligning with dietary needs.

Here are the ones we consider:

We consider the cost per serving to assess whether the product offers good value for money while delivering an effective dose of collagen.

Our factors in this rating include:

Yes, you can take collagen every day. It may take weeks or months of consistent collagen use before you experience noticeable changes, so taking it daily is important. Most research studies that show positive benefits of collagen supplementation have a study period of at least six weeks of daily use. ( 17 )

You can take collagen at the time of day that’s most convenient for you. Many people prefer to take collagen in the morning, but some may take it before bed at night. One small study shows that collagen may help improve sleep quality when taken one hour before bedtime, though more research is needed. ( 5 )

No, Sports Research Collagen Peptides aren’t made with organic ingredients. However, all of the flavors are non-GMO. Additionally, the formulations are simple and free of artificial sweeteners, dyes, and preservatives. Sports Research does offer an organic version of the product, though.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Pete Nastasi, NASM

Pete owns N2 Nutrition and Performance, where he leverages his expertise as a certified sports nutrition coach and personal trainer to help individuals achieve their sports performance and weight loss goals. Passionate about helping people reach their peak potential, Pete tailors his approach to each client, focusing on diet optimization, fostering healthy habits, and designing easy-to-follow workout routines. Pete also keeps up-to-date with the latest fitness and supplement trends, using his degree in biochemistry to rigorously vet supplements and explain how they work to his readers.

Joana Neziri, M.S., NASM CPT

Joana is a writer, editor, and content strategist focusing on nutrition, fitness, and all things health. After earning a master’s degree in business from the University of North Florida, she began a career in research and digital marketing.

Jessica Coulon

Jessica is a contributing editor and writer who specializes in fitness, health, nutrition, and science content. Previously, she was an editor for Popular Mechanics and Bicycling, where she covered pro cycling news, wrote how-to guides, and tested all the latest and greatest bike gear. She was also a regular shoe tester and contributor for Runner’s World. You can often find her skiing or riding her mountain bike, and racing with the F1RE female enduro team.

Kelly Uhler

Kelly has a multifaceted background in elder care, health care, and copywriting. She has worked for organizations such as A Place For Mom and Homecare.com, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with families, providing reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their loved one’s health, safety, and quality of life.

Fortune Recommends Writer

SaVanna is a freelance writer and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has written hundreds of evidence-based articles for outlets like Forbes, Healthline, and Verywell Health. She earned her Master of Science in Human Nutrition from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2014. Before becoming a full-time writer, she provided nutrition counseling for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children, and people with chronic kidney disease. Her professional interests include holistic nutrition, women’s health, and weight loss. She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children and spends her free time cooking, gardening, and lifting weights.