South Africans have become more conscious about the health benefits of a balanced and nutritious diet and the impact that food choices have on our bodies. Not only does food provide us with the energy we need to keep active during the day, it is also the sole source of vital nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals that maintain body functions, promote growth and support our immune systems. Our dietary choices have also shown to dramatically affect the health and appearance of our skin and therefore the focus of skin health has shifted to an inside-out approach.  Diets high in antioxidants, protein, omega 3 fatty acids and even collagen have shown to be effective in promoting skin health.



Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and forms the primary structural component of connective tissues including skin and cartilage1. The body produces collagen from the amino acids (building blocks of protein) consumed through the daily diet, but as we age the body’s ability to produce collagen naturally declines2. Other environmental factors such as tobacco smoking, pollution, prolonged and excessive sun exposure and poor diet can also inhibit collagen production and therefore accelerate the natural decline of skin structure3, leading to signs of ageing.


To combat this decline in collagen production, supplementing the diet with a collagen supplement has shown to be beneficial. As these supplements increase collagen production, they have shown to improve skin elasticity4 and skin hydration which results in reduced wrinkle volume5&6.



Not all collagen supplements are equal. Bioactive Collagen Peptides are physiologically active polypeptides with a unique molecular shape and amino acid content. Basically, this means that the functional part of collagen has been isolated.


Bioactive Collagen Peptides are rich in the amino acid Proline which forms strong peptide bonds, making these polypeptides more resistant to digestive enzymes. Therefore, Bioactive Collagen Peptides can be absorbed intact and are not broken down through digestion to some extent. This means that the intact Bioactive Collagen Peptides can exert their bioactivities at the target tissue.



Due to Bioactive Collagen Peptides’ very specific molecular weight distribution, these peptides are ideal to connect to the receptors on the cell surface of the target tissue, in this case the fibroblasts within the skin. Once the Bioactive Collagen Peptides connect to the receptors, the metabolisms of these cells are stimulated to produce proteins to maintain the extracellular matrix proteins. In other words, the Bioactive Collagen Peptides stimulate the target cells to produce collagen, increasing total body collagen. As these cells use amino acids to produce collagen, having an optimal nutritional status and consuming enough dietary protein is essential for dietary Bioactive Collagen Peptides to function optimally.



Proksch et al.4&5 conducted a study evaluating these specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides. They found that taking at an effective dose of 2.5g Bioactive Collagen Peptides per day for 28 days showed a statistically significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume of 7.2% compared to the placebo group. With extended supplementation wrinkle volume was reduced by 20.1% after 8 weeks with a maximum reduction of 49.9%. These findings were attributed to improved skin hydration and elasticity in the experimental groups.



When it comes to aging gracefully, there are many strategies to improve skin health. It is well known that eating a healthy diet with adequate amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals, drinking enough fluids, limiting sun exposure and not smoking is key to healthy skin. Now that we know that collagen also holds many benefits to reduce the effects of aging on the skin, perhaps it’s time to nourish your skin from within and include collagen in your diet too.


FUTURELIFE® BEAUTI FOOD™ is a scientifically formulated blend of Bioactive Collagen Peptides derived from bovine collagen. BEAUTI FOOD™ is a daily meal supplement that not only contains collagen, but is also high in protein, has no added cane sugar and has both a low glycaemic index and glycaemic load.


FUTURELIFE® BEAUTI FOOD™ is available in two convenient, portioned meal supplements to ensure that you consume the recommended 5 grams of hydrolysed collagen peptides that have proven to be effective in improving skin hydration and elasticity. With a choice of either a daily shake or bar, both of which have two delicious flavour variants, we ensure that your daily collagen supplement remains exciting and delicious.


BEAUTI FOOD™ Nutritional Shakes are available in 55g sachets with French Vanilla and Caramel Late flavours and contain vitamin C, E, Niacin and Riboflavin aimed at the enhancement of skin health.

BEAUTI FOOD™ Protein Bars (40g) are available in French Vanilla and Chocolate Brownie, with a light nougat centre and enrobed in a deliciously decadent sugar free dark chocolate coating.



  2. Marcos-Garces et al. Age-related dermal collagen changes during development, maturation and ageing- a morphometric and comparative study. Journal of Anatomy. 225(1): 98-108. Doi: 10.1111/joa.12186
  3. Addor FASA. 2018. Beyond photoaging: additional factors involved in the process of skin aging. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational Dermatology. 11: 437-443. Doi: 10.2147/CCID.S177448
  4. Proksch E et al. 2014. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 27:47-55. Doi: 10.1159/000351376
  5. Proksch E et al. 2014. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 27:113-119. Doi: 10.1159/000355523
  6. Campos PM et al. 2015. An oral supplementation based on hydrolyzed collagen and vitamins improves skin elasticity and dermis echogenicity: a clinical placebo-controlled study. Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics. 4(3)1-6.


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