A surprising benefit of taking collagen is the positive impact it can have on your sleep. This is because collagen is loaded with the amino acid glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms the central nervous system and helps us to unwind, relax, and fall asleep.

One of the ways that glycine helps us get to sleep is by lowering our core body temperature (blood flow is diverted away from the core to the extremities). This study done in Japan found that glycine taken before bed results in a decrease in core body temperature which is sustained throughout sleep.

Additionally, glycine assists in the creation of serotonin, a hormone that has a large effect on our sleep and moods. Our bodies need serotonin for making the sleep hormone melatonin which helps your body know when it's time to sleep and wake up. If serotonin becomes depleted, the rhythmic neural activity in the brain (known as circadian rhythms) is disrupted and sleep–wake cycles can become irregular.

Taking glycine can also help to improve sleep quality. A study carried out in 2007 found that when people who usually slept badly were given glycine before bed, they fell asleep faster, moved more quickly into deep, slow‑wave sleep, and had less drowsiness during the day. And in this study, people said that they felt more energetic in the morning after taking glycine.

The lowdown

A lot of magical stuff happens when we are asleep, from cell production and repair, hormone regulation, to the increase of blood flow to our skin. If you have trouble falling asleep or sleeping solidly throughout the night, try taking collagen before you go to bed. One serving of Bellē or Beaū has the necessary dose of collagen needed for sound, beneficial slumber.

For more tips on how to get into dreamland, see our blog post Getting a good sleep.