The One Collagen-Boosting Food You Can Eat Every Day, According To Aging Experts
January 9, 2022 by Marissa Matozzo
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and it promotes healthy joints and skin elasticity. When creating a skincare routine and diet centering around healthy aging, a great way to start is prioritizing collagen-boosting foods. We spoke with aging and skincare experts who agreed that red bell peppers are great for boosting collagen, and there are several reasons why.
How do Red Bell Peppers Boost Collagen?Red bell peppers are a great source of vitamin A and fiber, both of which you need for healthy a heart and digestion. They also contain vitamin C, a crucial vitamin for skincare and anti-aging. “If you’re looking for an easy everyday snack with anti-aging properties, try red bell peppers,” says Dr. Chia Tan, skincare specialist, trained doctor and founder of Harley Street Medical Doctors. “Red peppers are rich in vitamin C, which stimulates the production of collagen and maintains the collagen you already have,” he adds. As vitamin C (known as ascorbic acid) can’t be produced by the body, Tan notes it’s essential to make sure there’s “lots of it” in your diet.
The importance of vitamin C for collagen and obtaining it from red peppers is also stressed by Dr. Cindy Jones, PhD, biochemist and cosmetic formulator at Colorado Aromatics. “The best food for boosting collagen is sweet red pepper. It is one of the foods highest in vitamin C content,” says Jones. “The biochemical pathway that makes collagen is dependent on vitamin C,” she adds. “It is the most important vitamin for boosting collagen.”
Bell peppers in general have many anti-aging benefits, which Caleb Backe, health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics explains. “Green and yellow peppers also contain loads of vitamin C,” says Backe, but still recommends red pepper overall. “These vitamin-packed veggies are so good at combating aging and increasing collagen production as they also contain capsaicin,” says Backe, referring to the anti-inflammatory compound that also acts as an antioxidant and can help prevent bacterial infections.