Collagen – the ultimate ingredient for healthy ageing

By 2050, around a quarter of the world’s population will be 60 years or older.1 Staying mobile and maintaining an active lifestyle will be crucial for many of these people to remain healthy. Peptan bioactive collagen peptides provide multiple health benefits for joints, bones, muscles and skin. We spoke to Monique Barnard, AECI Food & Beverage’s business manager for health & nutrition, about how Peptan collagen peptides support healthy ageing. By Abby Vorster

There is immense opportunity for growth and innovation in the natural nutritional solutions market, especially in well-ageing focused or wellness-from-within nutraceuticals.

Consumers’ growing understanding of physical wellness and beauty from within is leading manufacturers of nutraceuticals and functional foods to place ever higher demands on ingredient quality, safety and traceability as well as the scientific substantiation thereof.

Globally recognised as a leading collagen peptides brand, Peptan consistently delivers the highest quality ingredients and technical support to meet manufacturers’ formulation needs. Peptan is produced by Rousselot, which develops collagen-based solutions for health and nutrition, biomedical, pharmaceutical and food industries. These solutions are distributed throughout Southern Africa by AECI Food & Beverage.

Did you know?

Peptan’s multiple anti-ageing benefits are well-documented. It can counteract the effects of ageing and promote a more youthful appearance by boosting and restructuring the skin’s collagen network from within. By stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid, Peptan also offers skin hydration benefits.

AV: What is the potential for innovation in the healthy ageing market in South Africa?

MB: As people age, they want to be able to stay active and mobile with limited or no aches and pain, making Peptan a great option to meet this need. By promoting mobility, it helps healthy agers to maintain physical well-being and stay active.

As the branded hydrolysed collagen from Rousselot, Peptan is backed by clinical studies that demonstrate in science that it promotes bone health, supports muscle strength and maintains healthy joints.2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 It is soluble, heat stable and highly compatible with many other ingredients, making it is easy to use in a wide variety of applications and innovative products.

AV: Collagen peptides are becoming mainstream, gaining wider acceptance and familiarity among consumers, particularly when it comes to healthy ageing. What collagen ingredients does AECI Food & Beverage offer?

MB: The Peptan hydrolysed collagen we offer is pure collagen, which is either from bovine, porcine or fish source. In South Africa we only offer the Type 1 collagen, which is from the skin or hide of the animal and is identical to the collagen found in human bones and skin.

Specifically developed to deliver numerous health benefits and functional properties, Peptan is a natural, high purity, bioactive product with a protein content of over 97% on a dry weight basis. The collagen peptides are optimised for high bioavailability and bioactivity. This means they quickly reach the parts of the body where they are needed most and provide maximum effect. In fact, 90% of Peptan collagen peptides are digested and available within the connective tissues just a few hours after digestion.

AV: Is Peptan supported by scientific studies?

MB: Yes, Peptan is backed by solid scientific evidence. This includes studies on its bio-availability and its skin beauty, joint health, bone health, sports nutrition, weight management and hair beauty benefits. Comprehensive information on the results of these studies is available on the Peptan website. The product’s efficacy in providing key health and beauty benefits has been demonstrated in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies and results have been published in leading scientific journals.

Peptan’s unique amino acid composition is high in hydroxyproline and glycine, which supports the formation of bioactive peptides

AV: In comparison to other more mature categories of nutraceutical ingredients, such as probiotics and omega 3, do collagen peptides provide diversified health benefits?

MB: Peptan provides multiple health benefits by delivering bioactive collagen peptides for healthy joints, bones and muscles as well as skin. After the age of 30, our collagen levels start to drop, leading to signs of ageing.

Peptan’s unique amino acid composition is high in hydroxyproline and glycine, which supports the formation of bioactive peptides that offer specific health benefits. Some of the health benefits include optimal joint and bone health, reversing signs of skin ageing by improving the collagen structure from within, keeping connective tissue healthy and promoting mobility in order to life an active lifestyle.

AV: Can you suggest any exciting or new applications for collagen peptides in terms of functionality and product innovation?

MB: In South Africa, Peptan can be found mostly in powder forms, either pure or flavoured with some other ingredients. Peptan can used in a bar application, such as cereal, protein or meal replacement bars. It can also be used in confectionary like muffins, bread and gummies, and it can be used in beverage applications, such as fruit juices, hot chocolate, teas and coffees, with recent innovation including a beer application.

Dairy products or tablets are also alternative applications to consider. On the Peptan website, readers can see what products have been launched with Peptan and where to buy these in South Africa and worldwide. •