Throughout the United States, Europe and Asia the buzz is on about collagen drinks. What have you hear about the collagen drink rage? The trend originated in Japan, where skin care experts created the drink as a way of getting collagen into the system. Many skin problems come from the natural loss of collagen in the skin as people age.

The loss of collagen creates much of the look of aging, because collagen is the tissue in skin that gives in suppleness, smoothness and firmness. As it deteriorates and thins out, the skin sags, creating things like wrinkles and drooping skin. Fine lines are the first sign. Companies have created numerous ways for clients to get collagen into their bodies and hopefully into the skin including pills, creams and even marshmallows. The latest idea is the collagen drink.

Collagen peptide has multiple edible and non-edible applications

1. Hydrolyzed collagen (also called "gelatin") can play an important role in weight management, as a protein, it can be advantageously used for its satiating power. Gelatin has also a wide application in the pharmaceutical industry such as in the manufacturing of soft and hard capsules.

2. Collagen powder (or "peptide") can be ingested directly mixed with any cold/hot beverages and/or regular meals. No trace of raw materials or smell is detectable in Japanese collagen powder.

3. Collagen peptide can also be used in industrial applications in the food, cosmetics, beverage industries for the manufacturing of beauty & health supplements, medicines and foods.

4. Collagen peptide is also used in the manufacture of creams, shampoos and other cosmetics.

5. Collagen casings (wraps), capsules and other edible films.

6.Coating and paint industry for the manufacture of odorless, antibiotic, antibacterial, non-toxic and anti-mold paint for construction industry, etc.

7. Photographic film and printing paper.

Impartial experts are pretty unanimous that these other ways of getting collagen into the skin miss the mark–the body is not going to assimilate it that way. However, the jury is still out about collagen drinks, as some individuals believe these drinks are indeed quite effective. The possibility definitely exists that these drinks could actually provide collagen in a form the body will use to replace lost collagen in the skin. It certainly could do better than the products preceding it. The theory is that this drink’s collagen becomes collagen filler in the skin; some claim results in as little as 3 days. This is a rather extravagant allegation of rather remarkable results. People desperately seeking a non-surgical way to enhance their appearance and fight wrinkling want so much to believe the claims they are rushing to try it.

How valid are these rather remarkable claims? The chief constituent of collagen drinks is low molecular fish collagen. This gives it a rather fishy taste that some people find disgusting especially if they are not fish-food lovers. Other than that, drinking it is pretty much like any other natural health drink such as yogurt.

You can give it a try, if you don’t mind the fishy taste. You should not rely on the amazing results some people allege they have enjoyed. The best way to fight the aging skin battle is to attack on all fronts. Eat healthy foods, avoid excess exposure to sunlight and keep up a good regimen of skin care including a good moisturizer and sunscreen.