Weight-loss medications have been a global phenomenon. Ozempic, Wegovy and other weight-loss drugs are well known. In some areas, people even know those who use them.
What if an alternative was available that is both less expensive and free of side effects? Recent research indicates that there may be.
Collagen-enriched protein bars for weight loss
Researchers have found that people who are overweight or obese and eat protein bars with collagen lose weight.
Not just a bit, but twice as much weight gained compared to those who did not eat it. Double the weight of those who did not eat.
There were also other benefits. The study participants who consumed the bars rich in collagen twice a day showed improvements in their blood pressure and waist measurement. They also had improved liver health. The increase in fat-free mass, skeletal muscles and liver health may also be due to the increased consumption of collagen bars.
What is the best way to determine if collagen aids in weight loss?
In Spain, 32 men and women between the ages of 20 and 65 were recruited for this study published in Nutrients. They all had obesity or were overweight.
Participants were divided into two groups. All participants were given dietary advice, but only one group received two protein bars enriched with collagen per day. This group had to finish eating their first bar at least 45 minutes before noon and 45 minutes before dinner. Every bar should be consumed with 250ml of water.
The 12-week trial included urine and stool tests, food questionnaires, and questions about physical activity and diet. The participants who consumed two collagen bars daily lost an average of 3kg compared with 1.5kg in the control group.
What is in the protein bars that help people lose weight and keep it off?
These protein bars contain collagen, an animal protein that is found in connective tissues of animals like fish and meat. The researchers used bovine collagen modified to enhance its ability to retain water for this study.
Here, the goal was to promote a feeling of fullness or satiety. The collagen grew in size when it was mixed with water.
Modified collagen allows people to consume food but decreases the feeling of hunger.
Dr Fermin Miagro
Fermin Milagro, co-author from the University of Navarre in Spain, says that any collagen modified would also serve the purpose. The secret lies not in the source of collagen, but rather in the method used to enhance its water-holding capacity by adding pH acid. The secret lies in the ability to swallow the collagen.
Each bar contains: soy nuggets with soy protein isolator, chopped cocoa cookies, sunflower oil and sorbitol. Each 25g bar contained 90kcals and 8.8g collagen protein.
The study not only suggests that collagen may help with weight loss, but also revealed that participants in the collagen group felt fuller and less hungry than those of the control group. Researchers are confident that the weight loss is not due to loss of muscle.
GLP-1s drive Novo Nordisk’s growth (David Petrus Ibars/Getty Images).
Our results show that the swelling of the stomach caused the participants to feel less hunger, leading them to eat less, and lose weight,” explains Dr Paola M. Mogna-Pelaez, co-author. The collagen may have also led the participants to build muscle. We know that muscles burn more calories than body fat.
It is possible that the collagen in your gut changes the bacteria, and this may help with appetite control.
Can collagen compete with GLP-1 drugs
GLP-1 drugs are a new weight loss drug class that works by releasing the GLP-1 hormonal, helping the user feel satisfied.
It’s all good and well until you look at the cost. Most countries charge patients up to thousands of dollars per year. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting diarrhea and constipation are common.
Collagen is cheaper, and it has no side effects. Many weight-loss drugs are expensive, says Dr Mogna. We were interested in Collagen because it’s a cheap, easy-to-get protein with no known side effects.
Collagen has other benefits over GLP-1 medications. According to Dr Milagro the main benefit of collagen is that it is an amino acid source and helps to increase muscle mass. Collagen can also improve joint and skin health.
The effect of collagen on satiety, however, is less than the one produced by a GLP-1 agonist. This reduces the weight loss effect. The researcher emphasizes that it’s a food, not a medicine. It is also less likely to have secondary effects and be able to treat obesity-related conditions such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia.
Food and beverage companies can benefit from collagen.
The food industry has already seized this opportunity to lose weight. According to Dr Mogna Pelaez, the fact that collagen is well-known by consumers will help it gain consumer acceptance. It’s something the public knows.”
What other food products could also be enhanced with collagen modified? According to Dr Milagro, yoghurts and meat products can be enriched with modified collagen. It can be used to increase the protein content and promote greater satiety in these products.
It allows people to eat real food but reduces their appetite.