Bone broth, pork rinds, and egg whites are some of the most common collagen sources. These collagen-boosting foods are great for your health, but the best collagen-rich food is much less talked about.

You can not get collagen from plants! It must come from an animal source. Vegan collagen sources are typically only collagen-supporting products, such as vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen function. Although collagen comes from animal sources, you don’t get much from meat.

Collagen makes up 30% of the protein in your body. It supports your arteries, joints, and eyes, and prevents sagging skin and wrinkles. After the age of 25, collagen begins to decrease. Without enough collagen, your arteries become stiff, which can lead to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Consuming sugar, starches, and seed oils can deplete collagen faster than aging!

There are multiple types of collagen, so it’s important to consume a variety of collagen-rich foods for the most benefits. Type 1 and type 3 collagen are found in fish skin, chicken skin, and bone broth. They support the skin, bones, and hair.

Type 2 collagen supports the joints and typically comes from cartilage. Types 5 and 10 collagen come from organ meats and the membranes in eggs. These types of collagen support eye health and provide support at the cellular level.

The best collagen-rich food, rarely discussed, contains GAGs that make up your joints, skin, fascia, and cell membranes.

Surprisingly, the best collagen-rich food is rooster comb! You can find rooster comb in a Chinese or Filipino grocery store. You can also purchase them from a local farmer. Rooster comb provides the highest quality collagen to support skin health, joint repair, and gut health. It can also help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Consume the following foods regularly to support a collagen-rich diet:

1. Rooster comb2. Chicken feet3. Fish skin4. Beef tendons 5. Bone broth