Collagen Protein vs. Whey Protein. Absorption Rate ⚡️ While it’s often touted that whey protein is absorbed quickly and easily, research has actually proven that it takes the body about 1.5 hours to digest viscous liquids (such as whey protein shakes). Not only that, but the body can only digest 8-10 grams of whey protein per hour. This means potentially half of your protein shake is not even being absorbed. Hydrolysed collagen is already broken down and “pre-digested” so that when it enters the body, it can be easily absorbed and utilised. Research has found that the hydrolysis of collagen was associated with an enhanced absorption rate of collagen’s main amino acids (proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine) 20 minutes post-ingestion. Muscle Building ⚡️ Both whey and collagen assist the body with building muscle after strength training, but Collagen, however, helps to maintain a positive nitrogen balance in the body (anabolic) better than whey. Nitrogen balance refers to the measure of nitrogen output/input. If one is in a negative nitrogen balance, this indicates that the body is malnourished and/or has been pushed into catabolic processes over anabolic. This is generally due to poor nutrition/protein intake and is exasperated by overtraining. Collagen also strengthens the extracellular matrix of the muscle cells, allowing for more load to be distributed with more force without adding large size. Studies have found collagen to improve body composition by increasing fat-free mass, decreasing fat-mass, and increasing muscle strength. It’s benefits have been studied mostly in older adults and the elderly. To learn more, head to our website science blog. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566347/ https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/39/1/39_1/_pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594048/