Marine or bovine collagen: which should you choose?

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“Marine or bovine?” It's one of the first questions people ask when choosing a collagen. The short answer: neither is “the right one” in absolute terms. They are two quality hydrolysed collagens that differ in their origin, the types of collagen they provide and the way you take them. At Vitamoon, we offer both: here, without bias, is what sets them apart and how to choose.

In short

• Marine collagen comes from fish, bovine collagen comes from beef. In both cases, it's hydrolysed into small peptides.
• Marine mainly provides type I collagen, the most abundant in the skin, and suits people who eat neither beef nor pork. Bovine provides types I and III, and suits people allergic to fish.
• The right choice depends mostly on you: your diet, and how you prefer to take it, as a fruity shot or in a hot drink.

Where do they come from?

The collagen in food supplements comes from collagen-rich tissues (Silva et al., 2014; León-López et al., 2019):

• Marine collagen is extracted from fish skin and scales.
• Bovine collagen is extracted from cattle skin and bones.

In both cases, it's then hydrolysed, i.e. cut into small fragments called peptides. That's what makes it easy to dissolve and absorb. To understand what happens to these peptides, read What is collagen?

Type I, type III: what each provides

Our body contains many types of collagen. Type I is the most abundant: it's found in skin, tendons and bones. Type III often accompanies it, notably in the skin and blood vessels (Gelse et al., 2003).

• Marine collagen mainly provides type I (Silva et al., 2014). Our Liquid Marine Collagen contains types I and III.
• Bovine collagen provides types I and III, found together in cattle skin.

Absorption: a question of size, not origin

Whether marine or bovine, what counts for absorption is the size of the peptides: a more finely cut collagen is absorbed faster (Skov et al., 2019). After intake, small collagen peptides are found in the blood (Iwai et al., 2005).

All three of our collagens, Liquid Marine Collagen as well as the Choco Latte and Matcha Latte, have peptides under 2,000 daltons: a size essential for good absorption through the gut wall.

What studies say

Published trials have tested hydrolysed collagens of different origins, and their effects are measured after 8 to 12 weeks of daily intake (Asserin et al., 2015; de Miranda et al., 2021). Neither origin has emerged as superior to the other: dose, peptide size and consistency matter more. For details of the studies, read Collagen for skin: what the science says and Collagen for joints: what the science says.

The strengths of marine collagen

• Mainly type I, the most abundant collagen in the skin.
• No beef, no pork: it suits people who don't eat them, and a pescatarian diet.
• Ideal to drink cold: as a shot in the morning, or in a large glass of water.

The strengths of bovine collagen

• Types I and III, together in the same serving.
• Fish-free: it suits people allergic to fish.
• Perfect in a hot drink: it mixes into milk, coffee or a latte, and goes very well with cocoa or matcha. Our ideas are in Collagen in a hot drink: coffee, chocolate, latte.

Marine or bovine: the comparison

What about porcine collagen?

There's also collagen extracted from pig skin, mainly in powders and capsules (Silva et al., 2014). Like bovine, it provides types I and III. It isn't suitable for people who don't eat pork: always check the origin stated in the ingredients list.

Our collagens: one of each origin

Marine: Liquid Marine Collagen
10,000 mg of hydrolysed marine collagen (types I and III) in 25 ml, with hyaluronic acid, silica, biotin, vitamins C, D3, B5, B6, B12 and selenium. A red berry taste, with no added sugar. Drink it neat as a shot or in a glass of water; one bottle lasts 20 days. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.

Bovine: Collagen Choco Latte and Collagen Matcha Latte
8,500 mg of hydrolysed PEPTAN® bovine collagen peptides per serving, as a powder to mix into milk, coffee or a hot drink. The Choco Latte combines collagen with cocoa, organic coconut milk and vitamin C. The Matcha Latte combines it with matcha green tea, for a hot or iced drink.

What our customers say

“Tried it this morning, the red berry taste is particularly good.”
Cyril B., Liquid Marine Collagen, review published on our Amazon store

“I've tried several marine collagens, and this one is my favourite! The strawberry taste is very pleasant, so it's easy to drink.”
A customer, Liquid Marine Collagen, review published on our Amazon store

“Finally a collagen drink you can enjoy without feeling sick! […] Honestly, this collagen chocolate is really good.”
Esra T., Collagen Choco Latte, review published on our Amazon store

“Very good product, the collagen doesn't spoil the taste of the matcha. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a hot drink while taking care of their body.”
Flav, Collagen Matcha Latte, review published on our Amazon store

Frequently asked questions

Is marine collagen better than bovine collagen?

No, they're different. Marine mainly provides type I and suits people who eat neither beef nor pork; bovine provides types I and III and suits people allergic to fish. For absorption, peptide size is what counts: at Vitamoon, it's under 2,000 daltons in both cases.

What does collagen taste like?

It depends on the recipe. Our Liquid Marine Collagen has a red berry taste, with no added sugar. The Choco Latte tastes of cocoa, softened by coconut milk, and the Matcha Latte of matcha green tea, ideal with hot or cold milk.

I'm allergic to fish: which collagen should I take?

Avoid marine collagen, which comes from fish. A bovine collagen, such as the Choco Latte or Matcha Latte, contains no fish. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Is there a vegetarian or vegan collagen?

No. Collagen is always of animal origin. If you eat fish but not meat, marine collagen suits you.

Can you take both marine and bovine collagen?

Yes, for example Liquid Marine Collagen in the morning and a Choco Latte or Matcha Latte during the day. Stick to the dose stated for each product.

Can you take it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

The Choco Latte and Matcha Latte should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as stated on their labels (the Matcha Latte also contains caffeine and isn't suitable for under-18s). For Liquid Marine Collagen, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice first.

Further reading

• What is collagen?
• Liquid, powder or capsule collagen: what are the differences?
• Collagen for skin: what the science says
• Collagen in a hot drink: coffee, chocolate, latte
• Guide: how to choose your marine collagen

Sources

• Silva T.H. et al. (2014). Marine origin collagens and its potential applications. Marine Drugs, 12(12), 5881-5901.
• León-López A. et al. (2019). Hydrolyzed collagen—sources and applications. Molecules, 24(22), 4031.
• Gelse K., Pöschl E., Aigner T. (2003). Collagens: structure, function, and biosynthesis. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 55(12), 1531-1546.
• Skov K. et al. (2019). Enzymatic hydrolysis of a collagen hydrolysate enhances postprandial absorption rate—a randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 11(5), 1064.
• Iwai K. et al. (2005). Identification of food-derived collagen peptides in human blood after oral ingestion of gelatin hydrolysates. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(16), 6531-6536.
• Asserin J. et al. (2015). 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. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 14(4), 291-301.
• de Miranda R.B., Weimer P., Rossi R.C. (2021). Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Dermatology, 60(12), 1449-1461.
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods.