Even though collagen protein is made of collagen, drinking it didn’t make the connective tissue inside muscles grow faster—even when combined with exercise.

Scientific Claim

In healthy older women, collagen peptide supplementation does not significantly increase muscle collagen protein synthesis (MCPS) above baseline, whether or not resistance exercise is performed.

Original Statement

“There were no differences in MCPS between groups (P = 0.154); however, MCPS was increased in response to exercise (P = 0.01).”

From study:Whey protein but not collagen peptides stimulate acute and longer-term muscle protein synthesis with and without resistance exercise in healthy older women: a randomized controlled trial.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

MCPS was directly measured with stable isotopes, and the lack of group difference (P = 0.154) is a clear negative finding. The study design supports definitive conclusions about absence of effect.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

Whey protein but not collagen peptides stimulate acute and longer-term muscle protein synthesis with and without resistance exercise in healthy older women: a randomized controlled trial.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2020 Mar 1

The study found that collagen pills didn’t help older women build more muscle protein, even when they exercised—unlike whey protein, which did work.

Source Study

Whey protein but not collagen peptides stimulate acute and longer-term muscle protein synthesis with and without resistance exercise in healthy older women: a randomized controlled trial.

Score: 66

DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz332

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