There are a few key differences between marine and bovine collagen linked in our journal article here. Ultimately, marine collagen and bovine collagen are equally effective - both providing 100% hydrolysed type I collagen peptides. One is not better than the other, it’s more a matter of dietary preference. As long as the quality of the supplement is high then its source doesn’t really affect the benefits you receive.

Our True Collagen contains hydrolysed collagen peptides which are a more available and absorbable form of amino acids, making it easy for our body to utilise. Collagen exists in nature as a very large, complex molecule constructed from lots of long chains of polypeptides. The collagen molecule itself is far too big to be absorbed across the gut wall, so it needs to be broken down during digestion into smaller chains called peptides. Once absorbed, these peptides are available to contribute to collagen renewal within bones, skin and connective tissue. ‘Hydrolysed’ simply means ‘unchaining’ the long protein strands into smaller ‘peptides’ so we can absorb them more readily. This process is like having them ‘predigested’, making them more bioactive so we can take them up and absorb them easily to build important tissues. 

No. Collagen ‘types’ describe where collagen is found in the body and what role it plays. Once hydrolysed into peptides and amino acids, the type becomes irrelevant. For daily whole body support, Type I is what matters most. It's the most abundant collagen in the body, and it's what both True Collagen and Wild Collagen are built around and is shown to support skin, joints, gut health and more. 

The one genuine exception is undenatured Type II collagen, which works differently and is specific to joint health. It's a separate ingredient entirely, which is why we offer it in Noble Collagen in a capsule form. 

Taking collagen can be beneficial at any age, but we know that the body’s ability to produce collagen naturally starts to decline in our early 20s. As we move past roughly 30 years old, it is thought that collagen depletes faster than our body can produce it. Therefore, you can begin taking collagen in your 20s to get ahead of the body’s natural depletion as you age, but you are more likely to see noticeable benefits from age 35+. Ultimately, the age you want to start taking collagen supplements is a personal decision. The Ancient + Brave team will be here to support you and guide you through your journey.

A common myth surrounding collagen supplements is that they can lead to digestive discomfort. In reality high-quality, hydrolysed collagen peptides are generally very well tolerated and are often used to support gut health.

When introducing a new protein source like collagen, proteins require specific enzymes to break them down effectively, the digestive system sometimes needs time to adjust.

To help support your gut in absorbing and processing the protein efficiently, here are some tips that may help:

- Start with a smaller dose (½ to 1 teaspoon) and gradually increase to allow your digestion to adapt.
- Take it with food to aid digestion and minimise discomfort.
- Support digestion with natural enzymes - foods like pineapple, papaya, or taking a digestive enzyme supplement with food can help break down proteins and ease symptoms.
- Stay hydrated - collagen draws in water, so drinking plenty of fluids supports digestion.
- Incorporate gut-friendly foods like fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) and fibre-rich foods to promote a healthy microbiome.

We’ve also put together a helpful guide on gut health with more in-depth insights into how collagen can support digestion in the long run. Please reach out to our team if you need any additional support. *As a brand, we are not in a position to make any medical claims, so we always recommend consulting your GP or healthcare professional who has knowledge of your medical history. They are best placed to advise on whether a product is suitable for your specific needs and provide tailored recommendations.

Our BECOME collagen clinical trial proves that consistency is key to collagen results - and consistency needs simplicity. To make it easy to stick to this daily habit,True Collagen and Wild Collagen only use purely hydrolysed collagen peptides - nothing else added. There’s no flavour or added ingredients that haven’t been tested either. Instead, our clinically tested formula is tasteless, invisible in any drink or meal and designed to become a seamless, effortless daily habit.

For those interested in collagen combined with additional functional ingredients, we recommend exploring our Brave Blends. These delicious drinks, from Cacao to Matcha, pair collagen with synergistic nutrients to support wellness in a convenient, flavourful way.

We believe you should be able to trust what you're taking,  and that means being transparent about how we quality test our supplements. At Ancient + Brave, our testing goes beyond standard industry requirements. Every batch is independently tested for purity, potency and contaminants. You can read more about this here.

Our menopause guide provides helpful information about the changes that occur in the body during perimenopause and menopause - and how collagen can offer support when navigating this chapter.

We understand every menopause journey is unique and symptoms can vary for each individual. Many of our blends feature nutraceuticals and botanicals that can help manage specific symptoms, all of which are broken down in the guide to help you choose the right product for your needs.

Stomach acid plays a very important role in breaking down protein and yet hydrolysed collagen peptides are unlikely to be digested in the stomach at all and instead go to the small intestine to be absorbed. Enzymes in the small intestine work at breaking down chains of protein molecules called peptides into even shorter peptides and amino acids which can then be absorbed in the bloodstream. The peptides and aminos will be added to the amino acid pool and trigger the body to produce new collagen.

Collagen is a compound your body naturally produces, so there are no harmful side effects of taking too much per se, except potentially an upset stomach or bloating. There are no studies that show upping the doses will help you reach your health goals any faster, therefore sticking to the recommended daily intake is optimal.

The recommended daily dose of collagen is 5-15g, which is supported by most clinical studies. For most people, 5g is ideal. However, some individuals may benefit from a higher dose of 10-15g, such as those recovering from an injury, following a low-protein (e.g., vegetarian) diet, experiencing age-related collagen decline, or engaging in intensive physical activity. If you experience digestive side effects, we would recommend reducing to a smaller dose (½ to 1 teaspoon) and gradually increase to allow your digestion to adapt.

There’s a lot of confusion around this topic. Yes, vitamin C contains enzymes that play a key role in helping strong, sturdy collagen form, but no, you do not need Vitamin C to absorb collagen supplements or have to have it at the same time. 

  Vitamin C's role in collagen synthesis happens inside your tissues, where it activates the enzymes that stabilise collagen once it's formed. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that dietary vitamin C intake (from 2 kiwis a day) directly influences collagen production and skin renewal. 

Further to this, collagen peptides are absorbed independently, so pairing them with vitamin C at the same time adds no advantage to absorption. For this reason, we believe the best source of vitamin C is a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than an addition to your collagen formula - we chose to keep True Collagen and Wild Collagen as single-ingredient collagen peptides formulas. Intentionally pure, they work beautifully alongside a healthy diet. 

Collagen peptides are extremely versatile and heat-stable up to 300°C - well above the temperatures used in everyday cooking or boiling water (100°C). This means you can confidently add them to hot drinks like tea, coffee, or even soups and stews without affecting their benefits. In fact, many people love adding collagen to their morning coffee for an easy daily ritual.

However, we recommend avoiding adding to fizzy or carbonated drinks. Collagen doesn't dissolve well in carbonated liquids, which can cause clumping or frothing, and may negatively affect texture and taste. For the best experience, stick to still beverages, smoothies, or any food or drink where it can dissolve smoothly.

You should always consult with your doctor or midwife regarding any new additions to your diet or supplements you take during your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. Whilst there are also no studies available due to ethical challenges involving research in pregnant people, we aren’t aware of any contraindications in taking any of our products whilst pregnant or breastfeeding and they should be well tolerated. 

We aim to deliver UK orders within 3-5 working days. Once it has been dispatched, we’ll email you a tracking code so that you can track your ritual's journey from our door to yours. Deliveries outside the UK may vary.

We hope you love True collagen as much as we do. However, if you’d like to return an unopened product, we’re here to make that nice and easy. Simply contact us within 14 days of placing your order at hello@ancientandbrave.earth, letting us know your order number and reason for your return. Then, return the product to us within 28 days of your order date, and we’ll start processing your refund.