Collagen is all the rage, and for very good reason. Collagen benefits range from healthier, firmer-looking skin to more mobile joints and stronger bones to improved gut health to increased muscle mass and strength. It only makes sense that there’s a best time to take collagen for all those benefits. But is there?

After all, some muscle-building supplements are recommended pre-workout. Others are recommended after training to support recovery.

So, does it matter if you sip on a collagen-infused coffee in the morning, enjoy collagen in a pre- or post-workout smoothie, or stir collagen into a protein-rich dessert after dinner?

Is it better to consume collagen on an empty stomach? Or should you consume it before bedtime, as that’s when the body needs the building blocks to recover and rebuild?

Fortunately, the answer is simple. The best time to take collagen is whenever you want to.

Yep, it doesn’t matter what time of day you consume collagen.

Collagen is broken down into amino acids by stomach acids, and is further broken down in the intestines. This is true whether you’ve eaten food or not. So, it really doesn’t seem to matter at all if you consume it with food or on an empty stomach.

There are times when collagen has been suggested to be most beneficial for specific benefits, but there’s really no research that backs it up. For example, some recommend that if you are using collagen to help support a healthy gut, it may be best to consume it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach or with your first meal. But there is not enough evidence to support this.

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Others suggest if your goal is to support healthy joints, tendons, and ligaments, then providing your joints with the tools (i.e., amino acids) to rebuild about an hour before exercise (along with some vitamin C) may help. Again, however, there is no research demonstrating if this is actually true.

If healthy sleep and recovery is your goal, then some say you should use it shortly before you climb into bed. Again, though, it doesn’t appear to matter.

If your goal is to stabilize blood sugar levels, then consuming it before meals is recommended because collagen is a protein which breaks down more slowly than carbohydrates. Therefore, it may help you avoid a sugar rush and crash. However, what you consume with your collagen will likely have a much bigger effect. A smoothie made with fibrous vegetables and fruits, healthy fat from nuts or nut butter, along with protein will help stabilize energy and blood sugar levels better than just consuming a collagen coffee with a high-carb food.

While these suggestions may make sense on the surface, there’s no research that supports taking collagen at any particular time or in any particular way. Rather, you can reap the benefits of this popular product by taking it anytime day or night.

So, instead of worrying about the best time to take collagen, just consume it whenever it’s most convenient for you. Consistency and quality are what’s most important, as any good supplement works best when you actually use it.

So, stop asking “what is the best time to take collagen?”. The question you should be asking yourself does not focus on the best time to take collagen but rather where does it fit best into your routine?