Is it worth taking collagen? With cosmetic companies and A-listers claiming it can slow the effects of ageing, the market for collagen supplements is booming. How sure is the science though? Ruth Alexander speaks to experts about what we do and don’t know about what these powders, gels and capsules are doing inside our bodies. She hears from a personal trainer and runner in her 50s about why she takes it daily, and speaks to the CEO of a company selling collagen products in this increasingly competitive market. New avenues of research are opening up as well, with sports scientists investigating whether an increase in collagen production can help athletes recover from injury more quickly. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Hannah Bewley (Image: A serving of supplement powder. Credit: Getty Images)
I'm Rory Stewart and I want to talk about ignorance.
I will die without having read everything that was written in classical Latin, because.
Ignorance isn't simply the opposite of knowledge, it's part of what it means to be human.
Just about every game I can think of involves ignorance.
There's no adventure without ignorance.
There's no narrative.
The long history of ignorance, from Confucius to QAnon.
With me, Rory Stewart.
Listen on BBC sounds.
Stirred into smoothies, juices, coffee.
Social media is awash with the craze for collagen supplements.
What if I told you the best place to begin is within?
Our strength, our power, our purpose starts within.
So let's start there with collagen that supports our body from the inside out.
Actress Jennifer Aniston is just one of many celebrities and influencers promoting collagen as a wonder product for your skin, hair and body.
The marketing campaign is in full swing.
But what does the science say?
We're not looking for magic.
We're looking for things that are real, that have a physiological basis to them.
This is the food chain on the BBC World Service with me, Ruth Alexander, and this week we're finding out if it's worth taking collagen.