While collagen is a great addition to most people's diet, depending on your goals it shouldn't replace your usual protein powder. "If you're looking to add/gain muscle after a workout, a complete protein powder is what you're looking for," says Whiteson. "If you're looking for a supplement that's going to help you better recover, help your joints to hurt less, help to increase your flexibility, collagen protein powder is definitely the way to go."

This brings up an important point: collagen protein is not a complete protein. To be a complete protein, you need to contain all essential amino acids (amino acids are the building blocks of protein and the essential ones are the ones we must get from our diet — versus the ones our body can make on its own). The takeaway here is that while collagen is a great protein source, it should not be considered your main protein source.

How can I work collagen protein into my diet?

Because it's a powder and tasteless, collagen protein is very versatile. You can mix it into coffee, smoothies, pancake or cookie batter, etc. As for results, you'll want to have a serving consistently every day for at least two weeks to start seeing a change, according to Randazzo (Whiteson cautions that it can take a few months). And, while both Randazzo and Whiteson underline that collagen is a safe addition to most people's diets, always speak with a doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you're pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding.

Image via @vitalproteins