Collagen in Coffee? Why Heat Could Be Undermining Your Supplement 

Adding a scoop of collagen powder to your morning coffee has become a popular wellness ritual. It’s convenient, feels nourishing, and seems like a smart way to start the day. 

But here’s what many people don’t realise: mixing collagen into hot liquids like coffee may actually reduce its effectiveness. 

Collagen Peptides vs Free Amino Acids 

Collagen supplements work because they contain collagen peptides. These are short chains of amino acids that your body can recognise and use to trigger its own collagen production. 

However, collagen peptides are not stable in high heat when dissolved in liquids. When you stir collagen powder into very hot coffee, those peptides can break down further into individual amino acids. Your body can still absorb amino acids, but they do not have the same targeted effect as collagen peptides. You lose the specific benefits that support skin, joints, and connective tissue health. 

In short: 

• Collagen peptides are functional and bioactive 

• Free amino acids are generic and do not deliver the same regenerative support 

Why Bioavailability Matters 

What makes a collagen supplement effective is bioavailability. That means how well your body can absorb and use it. 

At Ingenious, our collagen is encapsulated in a patented delivery system that protects the peptides from degradation. It keeps them intact not only from breaking down early in the digestive route, so they can reach the small intestine where absorption takes place. Adding collagen to hot coffee may feel like a wellness win, but the science suggests it may be doing more harm than good. 

Smarter Ways to Take Collagen 

To protect the integrity of collagen peptides, try the following: 

• Avoid mixing collagen into drinks above 60°C (140°F) 

• Choose supplements that are clinically tested for absorption 

When it comes to collagen, how you take it matters just as much as what you take.