The Benefits of Collagen + Collagen Boosted Pumpkin Bread

What’s better than pumpkin bread, you ask? 

How about pumpkin bread that can revitalize skin, hair and nails, fight the effects of aging and support tendons and ligaments?

Here’s the deal. I’ve been using collagen for a couple of years now and while some dispute its efficacy, there are studies that prove its benefits – and anecdotally I can tell you it is a game changer.

Why take collagen?

Well, our bodies use amino acids to build muscle, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, connective tissue, and much more. There are many different types of amino acids, but the most abundant kind in your body make up collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein that forms your connective tissues and skin.

Our body’s collagen production declines as we age and we need adequate collagen for strong bones, joints, and skin. So adding more collagen to our diet is a no brainer, right?

Show me the data: 

I’ll be straightforward here. The data is mixed. Some say collagen is digested by the gut and therefore cannot improve something like our skin. Other research has shown that it can, in fact, be effective. One placebo-controlled trial found that supplementation with collagen peptides for eight weeks significantly improved skin hydration and increased collagen density in the skin, while also reducing collagen fragmentation in the skin.*

But I also fall back on personal experience:

Since I’ve been using collagen I have noticed my hair and nails grow faster (like – really fast), my skin is better and my digestion is better. 

Since some of my loved ones incorporated collagen into their daily supplementation they have had significant improvement with joint pain, too.

Why I love Youtheory specifically: 

I’ve been using Youtheory since the summer and I love that their collagen also has 200mg vitamin C (333% daily value) and 2.5mg biotin (833% daily value) in their powder. 

Biotin is a b-complex vitamin that helps convert food into energy, and also helps keep your hair, eyes, and nervous system healthy.

Vitamin C has myriad benefits including being an antioxidant, and it helps protect cells from free radicals.  It also boosts your immune system, increases iron absorption, helps maintain healthy skin and hair and more.

These 3 together are a powerhouse trifecta and I have to say, since I’ve been using YouTheory I can’t keep up with my hair and nails. Everybody who touches my hair – and there are at least 7 of them between my colorist, stylist, and extension team – have commented on how my hair is growing!

There’s no better way to get collagen in than in a warm drink or a comforting baked good, so give this pumpkin bread a try!

*Asserin J, Lati E, Shioya T, Prawitt J. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015;14(4):291-301.

Makes: 1 loaf (about 8 slices)

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1.5 cups almond flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 can pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 3-4 scoops YouTheory collagen
  • 2 tbsp pumpkin spice

OR


INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 fahrenheit

Combine flour, sugar and spices until completely smooth

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs then add syrup and whisk together

Add egg mixture and pumpkin puree, mixing until smooth

Lightly grease or line a 9×5 bread pan

Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top

Remove and let cool at least 20 minutes

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