Collagen is found throughout the body in muscles, bones, connective tissue and skin, and is something we create ourselves from amino acids. It is the most abundant protein in the body, but you may have heard there are some potential benefits of collagen when taken as a dietary supplement.

As we age, our bodies become less effective at making collagen, and we may find ourselves with brittle nails, thinner hair and more fragile skin. This is due to the presence of collagen in the dermal layer of the skin, which is where our hair follicles live and age-related collagen production drop off. As well as the visible signs of aging, we may feel the effects of less collagen in our bodies in the form of joint pain and weaker muscles.

We’ve spoken to experts about the main benefits of collagen and whether collagen supplements may be useful as we get older. Looking for more ways to top up your protein intake? Check out our round-up of the best protein powder to support muscle growth.

1. Skin health

Dr Deborah Lee, a medical doctor and representative for Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, explains to Live Science that collagen production drops off as we age, which leads to skin sagging. “As we age, the production of collagen slows and the collagen produced is less efficient – which underlies many of the changes we see with aging, such as wrinkling and sagging of the skin, joint pain, loss of height, and fractures,” she says. “The structure of collagen is organized with a complicated fiber system, with chains of amino acids arranged in fibrils, like strong ropes, to provide a tight and reliable support structure.”