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The Lean Protein
Whey protein powder for weight-loss.
The Energy Booster
Pre/intra-workout powder with BCAAs.
The Glow Booster
Collagen supplement for skin.

The Top Collagen Benefits: 5 Reasons You Should Be Taking Collagen

3rd November 2021

3rd November 2021

By Shivraj Bassi

Collagen is the supplement of the future. That's right. You heard it here first.

Why do we need collagen? 

As the most abundant protein in your body, it’s one of the major components of the tissue which makes up many of your body parts, including muscles, skin, tendons and ligaments. 

Your body produces less and less collagen as you get older - from your twenties you lose around 1% a year - so it’s a no brainer to add more collagen to your diet as you get older to support your body and your mind. 

Collagen can help to protect your heart, keep your joints supple and free of pain, promote good bone health and keep you looking youthful and glowy for longer than you thought possible. 

We're so confident in the benefits of collagen, in fact, that we've created our very own research-backed, nutrition-based collagen supplementation ourselves. 

The Glow Booster.

Want to know about what collagen can do for you? We’ve put together a list of just some of its many benefits and trust us, soon you won’t be able to do without the stuff.

Collagen for your hair, skin and nails

Collagen is a big part of the makeup of your skin and hair.

It strengthens your skin and could increase hydration and elasticity, helping to prevent dry skin and wrinkles.

Do collagen supplements work?

While scientific evidence about whether collagen conclusively helps to prevent or reduce signs of ageing are inconclusive thus far, some studies have shown that collagen supplement helps reduce skin dryness and elasticity, and increases the level of visible skin hydration and the depth of wrinkles. Anecdotal evidence also points towards collagen helping to prevent acne and help with other skin conditions, but more research is needed to be sure. 

Additionally, taking collagen could boost your nail strength, and who doesn’t want nails that are as hard as diamonds? It could also stimulate your nails and hair to grow faster and longer. 

If you’re looking for an extra boost to your skincare regime, you want to nip any signs of ageing in the bud or you’ve been experiencing lack of hydration, collagen could be the thing that gets people asking you what your skincare regime is, because you’ll be glowing from within. 

Photo by A. L. on Unsplash

Collagen supplements for your bones

This one’s a puzzler, but it’s been scientifically proved to be true. Taking collagen as a supplement has been shown to improve your bone mineral density. A study of women who took a daily collagen supplement showed improvement in their bone density a year later, especially when it was taken in conjunction with vitamin D and calcium. Researchers believe that it might trigger certain anabolic processes which promote bone growth. 

Collagen supplements for your joints

The 90s didn’t just bring great R&B and hip hop into the world - it also was the time when scientists realised that taking collagen can help significantly with joint health, specifically reducing the symptoms of arthritis. It’s thought that the supplements helped to reduce pain levels and reduce inflammation, thus providing relief. 

This is especially significant for athletes or people who exercise frequently, as this can put undue strain on joints and cause pain and discomfort. A study of athletes who took collagen daily for five and a half months found that it significantly decreased their joint pain both while walking and resting, compared to those who didn’t take it. If you want to maximise your ability to work out and do the exercise you love, collagen can help you get there. 

Collagen supplements for muscle mass

We know that protein boosts muscle mass, but what about collagen? 1-10% of muscle is collagen, and it’s necessary to keep your muscles strong and functioning at a high capacity. When 27 men took collagen while participating in a 12-week long daily exercise programme, they gained significantly more muscle mass than those who didn’t take the supplement. It’s also thought that taking collagen may promote the synthesis of muscle proteins such as creatine, found in Innermost’s The Power Booster.

Collagen supplements for heart health

This is a big one. It’s thought that taking collagen could reduce the risk of heart-related problems as collagen provides structure to your arteries. Without enough of the stuff, your arteries could become weak and fragile and this could lead to atherosclerosis, a disease involving your arteries narrowing and potentially even leading to strokes and heart attacks. 

A study of healthy adults who took a collagen supplement for six months found that there was a significant reduction in artery stiffness from before they started taking the supplement.

Additionally, the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol in their body was raised, which indicates overall good heart health in a more general sense. If heart disease runs in your family, or you simply want to take every step possible to protect yourself from a future of potentially poor heart health, taking collagen supplements isn’t a bad way to do that (especially when they come with all of the additional benefits mentioned above).  

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Mushrooms: Overhyped or Undervalued?
You’ve probably seen mushrooms plastered all over Instagram by now, thrown into coffee, smoothies, and just about anything else. But let’s be real, are they actually worth the hype, or just another passing fad in the wellness world? Fair question. With terms like “superfood” thrown around like confetti, it’s hard to know what’s legit and what’s just marketing fluff. But here’s the thing: mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and now modern science is backing up a lot of what ancient cultures have been saying all along. Mushrooms in Popular Culture Mushrooms have become more than just a wellness ingredient — they’ve become a cultural phenomenon. From being plastered all over Instagram to making cameos in documentaries and even fine dining, these fungi are having a serious moment What do functional mushrooms do for you? The rise of “functional mushrooms” in wellness circles can be attributed to their ability to support immunity, stress relief, and physical performance. And while they’re trending now, it’s important to remember that mushrooms have been a cornerstone in holistic health for centuries. With more people turning to natural, science-backed alternatives, mushrooms are making their mark as more than just a passing wellness trend. This new wave of mushroom interest shows no signs of slowing down. From health supplements to skincare, mushrooms have officially crossed over into the mainstream. A Glimpse Into the Past Mushrooms aren’t new. Long before they were the star of your favourite influencer’s morning brew, they were a cornerstone in ancient remedies. For example, in China, reishi was hailed as the “Mushroom of Immortality” for its ability to supposedly promote longevity and calm the mind. Meanwhile, chaga, used in Siberia, was brewed as a tea to boost immunity. Mushrooms have been doing the rounds in different cultures for millennia, which begs the question—why are we only now starting to appreciate them in the West? What Are Mushrooms Good For? Mushrooms might have some fancy history behind them, but what does modern science say? Let’s hit some quick facts: Physical Performance: Ever heard of Cordyceps? These mushrooms were traditionally used by Tibetan herders to combat altitude sickness. Fast forward to today, and studies are showing cordyceps can help improve oxygen uptake during exercise, meaning you can push harder and go longer in your workouts. Immunity Boosting: Mushrooms like chaga and shiitake are loaded with beta-glucans. These are complex sugars that give your immune system a kick in the right direction by activating immune cells. Some pretty solid research backs this up, including a study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Stress Relief: Feeling a bit frazzled? Reishi is classed as an adaptogen, which means it helps your body manage stress. A study in 2012 found that reishi helped reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people dealing with chronic stress. Bottom line: reishi is your go-to for a bit of Zen in this chaotic world. Recovery & Hydration: Heard of tremella? It’s also called the “beauty mushroom,” but it does a lot more than just help with skin. Tremella supports hydration and recovery by boosting your body’s production of hyaluronic acid, which helps with inflammation and overall recovery after a tough workout. Mushrooms in the Here and Now Look, some wellness trends come and go (remember the lemon water detoxes?), but mushrooms? They’re here to stay. Mushroom health benefits stretch across so many areas—immunity, stress relief, performance—that it’s no wonder science is getting behind them now. But let’s be clear: we didn’t jump on the mushroom hype just because it’s trendy. Back in 2017, we were the first in the UK to put mushrooms across a range of our products because we knew these fungi weren’t just a fad. Which Is the Best Mushroom Supplement to Take? The Wellness Blend. Fast forward to now, and we’ve gone all-in with The Wellness Blend, our mushroom coffee. Yeah, regular coffee is great, but when you mix it with tremella, chaga, cordyceps, reishi, maitake, and shiitake mushrooms, you’re looking at a drink that’ll not only wake you up but help your mind and body perform at their peak. What makes The Wellness Blend unique. The fact that it contains ALL six functional mushrooms in one great product. It’s that simple. Overhyped or Still Undervalued? It’s easy to be skeptical of anything that gets too much hype, and you’d be right to question the wellness industry’s latest trends. But with mushrooms, I really think what we’re seeing now is the result of centuries of use being validated by science, not just another fleeting craze. These are ingredients that have been trusted for generations and are finally being recognized for their full potential. Are they undervalued? We think so. It’s great that they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve. Now it’s over to you to decide. Read more
Gut Health Tests
Let's talk about gut health tests – you know, those trendy kits that promise to analyze the bacteria in your gut and give you ALL the answers. Seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone's pushing them on you, asking you to mail off your poo for a pricey test. I teamed up with one of Innermost's resident nutritionists, Sophie Gastman, to dig into the truth behind these tests First things first, what are gut health tests? Essentially, they’re marketed as a way to assess the balance of bacteria in your gut. All you have to do is collect a stool sample, ship it off, and wait for your results to roll in. Companies who offer these tests will most likely offer to sell you a ‘'personalised’' probiotic or prebiotic based on your results, along with some ‘'personalised'’ (but what definitely looks like generic) dietary and lifestyle recommendations. It all sounds simple enough, but here's where things get murky. Sophie has been looking into the validity of these tests, and she’s a bit skeptical.  "HERE'S WHY" Accuracy: These tests only give you a snapshot of your gut microbiome at one point in time. Your gut bacteria can change in as little as 24 hours based on what you eat and how you live, so by the time you get your results, they might already be outdated. Plus, different methods to study the same samples can also give wildly different results. So, if you sent your sample off to two different companies, one might say you have a lot of one type of bacteria, while the other says it’s barely there. Lack of Evidence: Despite years of research, we're still in the dark about which gut microbes are linked to specific health outcomes. So, any test claiming to have all the answers is just too good to be true. For example, scientific studies suggest that knowing what’s in your gut might not actually help with understanding or treating diseases like IBS. Lack of Actionable Insights: Even if these tests could accurately assess your gut, the recommendations they provide are often based on shaky science. Plus, they're so complex that even the experts struggle to make sense of them. Lack of Knowledge: Let's face it, most of us aren't microbiologists. So when these tests dump a ton of complicated info in our laps, it's more likely to leave us scratching our heads than feeling empowered. To make matters worse, these tests can cost a lot of money. We think rather than blowing your hard-earned cash on a gut health test, why not focus on some tried-and-true strategies to support your gut? Cue Sophie with her top six tips to better gut health Diet: Fill your plate with a rainbow of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes to keep your gut happy. Aim for 30 plant points a week (a point for every new plant you eat) - this number seems to be the sweet spot for making the most difference to your gut health. Chill: Stress can wreak havoc on your gut, so find ways to unwind, whether it's through meditation, exercise, or just shooting the breeze with a friend. Hydrate: Keep the water flowing to keep things moving smoothly in your digestive system. Sleep: A good night's sleep does wonders for your gut, so aim for 7-9 hours of shut-eye each night. Ferment: Add some fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut to your diet for a boost of gut-friendly probiotics. Supplement: Innermost's The Digest Capsules contain prebiotics and probiotics to keep your gut bacteria thriving, along with digestive enzymes and ginger. Combine them with all the points mentioned above to help your gut bacteria thrive. So there you have it – supporting your gut health doesn't have to be complicated or break the bank. Just focus on the basics and make some small lifestyle tweaks, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier gut for a fraction of the price, and without the need to mail your poo off to some complete stranger. Read more