Why Animal Collagen is the Best

Forget Powders and Drinks, Go Low and Slow with Real Food

Alright, let’s talk about collagen—the buzzword everyone’s been tossing around like it’s some kind of miracle cure. Powders, drinks, fancy supplements that cost an arm and a leg—sure, they claim to work, but let’s be real: I’ve tried several of them myself, and guess what? No benefits. Nada. Zilch. They all promised glowing skin, better joints, and overall vitality, but my body wasn’t buying it. Honestly, after giving those powders a fair shot, I just wasn’t convinced they were the best option. So, what did I do? Well, I did what any self-respecting wellness junkie would do—I dug even deeper. And here’s what I found: the best source of collagen is not some overpriced powder or a sweet-tasting drink, it’s the real deal—straight from the animal itself, in the form of FOOD. 

Now, I know, you might be thinking, “But I thought collagen was only in those trendy powders?” Nope. If you want the collagen your body will actually use (and not just pass through you like that last protein shake), it’s time to go back to the basics. How basic? Think bones, skin, and joints of animals that have been slow-cooked to perfection. We're talking beef shanks, oxtails, chicken feet, and yes, even those "shitty cuts" everyone ignores (we’ll get to those in a second). These are the cuts your body knows how to break down and absorb, providing the collagen your skin, joints, and organs crave.

So, forget about your trendy, Instagram-approved collagen powders. Real, animal-based collagen is the way to go, and here’s why.

The Power of Animal Collagen (aka Why Powders Are Overrated)

Collagen isn’t just some fancy protein. It’s the literal glue that holds us all together—our skin, our bones, our joints, and even our gut health. Now, you’ve probably heard about collagen powder or collagen drinks that promise better skin, stronger nails, and less creaky joints (okay, I’ve fallen for those ads too). But here’s the thing—supplements, especially powders, aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. They can be overly processed and may not even contain the kind of amino acids your body needs.

Enter animal collagen: the real deal. It’s naturally bioavailable, which means your body can actually use it. The collagen in, say, a slow-cooked pork shoulder, is easy for your body to break down and turn into the building blocks it needs for healthy skin, joints, and cartilage. And that’s what we’re really after, right? Real collagen that actually works—without all the extra fluff and fancy labeling. So go ahead, skip the powders that taste like gym chalk and eat the real thing.

Cooking Low and Slow to Unlock Collagen (Like a True Kitchen Magician)

Here’s the thing: the best collagen isn’t found in those smooth, tender cuts of meat you usually buy at the store. The real magic is in the tougher cuts—the ones you probably wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Why? Because these cuts are loaded with collagen. But don’t freak out just yet—there’s a way to cook them that’ll make them melt in your mouth and give you all the collagen goodness you could ever want.