If you know me, you know I’m a big fan of collagen. I’m always finding ways to add it to my diet (hence my love for bone broth) because it really makes a difference in how you look and feel. My latest obsession is mindbodygreen beauty & gut collagen+. It not only has high-quality, grass-fed collagen, but it’s rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and hyaluronic acid. On top of all that, the chocolate flavor is so delicious (especially if you have a sweet tooth like me) and it’s only 90 calories.

Why Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and the benefits go far beyond your skin and gut. To help better understand the benefits, I chatted with Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN and Vice President of Scientific Affairs at mindbodygreen. “Collagen is also the critical architectural scaffolding that provides strength, structure, and resilience throughout the body—from our tendons, ligaments, cartilage, muscle, lungs, heart, and bones, to our blood vessels, lungs, heart, gut, and even our eyes*,” says Ashley.

She went on to explain that as we age, we start to produce less collagen, which is why our skin becomes less supple and starts to lose the ability to bounce back. “Providing a high-quality source of collagen peptides is like handing off the precious building blocks to our whole body, so it can utilize these amino acids for intrinsic collagen production*,” she says. Boosted collagen production? Sign me up.

The Ingredients

When it comes to ingredients, this collagen powder only uses the very best. “While high-quality collagen peptides are useful, mindbodygreen's beauty & gut collagen+ formula takes collagen biology and support for our skincare and gut health several steps further by helping to fuel collagen synthesis, preservation, and deliver whole-body beauty and gut benefits*,” says Ashley. In addition to collagen peptides (types I and III), there are seven other powerful ingredients that round out every scoop. Here are a few I’m excited about:

Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is your skin’s BFF—it helps to enhance and retain moisture while keeping joints lubricated.*

Vitamins C and E Vitamins C and E are essential for natural collagen production in addition to being powerful antioxidants. Both of the vitamins help fight free radicals and oxidative stress to keep your skin looking its best.*

Turmeric Turmeric has a number of wellness benefits thanks to the phytochemical curcumin. It’s a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can work to protect the skin and support your gut.*

The Benefits

With a single serving of this powder, you’re getting 17.7 grams of collagen, plus 16 grams of protein and all the vitamins C, E, and biotin your body needs in a day. This potent blend promotes skin elasticity and hydration while also enhancing skin smoothness and protecting it from photoaging (aka sun damage).*

“There is a growing body of clinical trial evidence for collagen supplementation, demonstrating its ability to promote skin elasticity, hydration, and smoothness; joint mobility; muscle mass and bone density; and more*,” says Ashley. “Furthermore, as a direct source of key amino acids (ex. glutamate, proline, glycine) needed for the health and integrity of our digestive tract lining, collagen is like a superfood protein supporting our gut cells and tract.*”

My Go-To Recipe

All of these benefits are only made better by that rich chocolate taste I mentioned earlier — and it’s all thanks to real, organic cocoa and monk fruit. (You won’t find any added sugars or fake flavors here.) I reach for this everyday around 4PM when I’m hungry, tired, and craving something sweet. I like to turn it into a delicious hot cocoa.

I add one cup milk (oat, almond or even full-fat coconut milk) to my Nespresso milk frother along with a scoop of the chocolate flavor and hit the button. (If I’m in the mood for something really chocolatey, I’ll even add a little cacao.) In just a few minutes I have a creamy cocoa ready to sip. It’s a healthy afternoon snack that doesn’t make you crash.

If you’re not a hot cocoa person, try it in a smoothie. There’s also an unflavored version for when you’re not in the mood for chocolate. Let me know what you make!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

*Want to try mindbodygreen's beauty & gut collagen+? Shop here and enjoy 20% off. *