Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought: “Where is that glow from your college days?” Without filters, without tinted cream and with the energy that moved mountains (or at least those Saturday nights)? If your joints are creaking like old parquet today and with every squat you feel like your body is commenting on your age in Dolby Surround sound – then it's time to make some homemade collagen.
Meet the locals collagen – the real, slow-cooked kind that's not an Instagram fad, but a recipe your grandmother would happily approve of. And a nutritionist. And, honestly, your credit card too.
Collagen from soup – not just for the soul, but for the skin, joints and hair
Homemade collagen, made from bones and vegetables, is not a nostalgic concoction that smells like Sunday lunch. It is a wholesome, natural source of amino acids, minerals, and collagen types I, II, and III – the building blocks of your body that we start to lose faster as we age than patience in Monday morning traffic.
Supplements may be attractive and neatly stacked on shelves, but the truth is that your body often digests them (literally) with its left hand. Naturally prepared collagen from soup is absorbed where you need it most – with the only side effect being a warm, homey feeling. And the price? Collagen from a box = mini credit. Homemade soup = less than a coffee with oat milk at a hipster cafe in town.
Why does homemade collagen even work?
Collagen is protein, which gives our bodies structure – from skin to joints. After the age of 25, however, the body decides to skimp on it a bit (as if it had its own internal savings plan). The result? Dry, tired skin, joints that creak with every step, and the feeling that your body is a little… letting you down.
That's why regularly consuming bone broth is one of the most effective (and most natural) ways to give your body back what it loses over time: collagen, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and a whole bunch of minerals - without additives, dyes, and unnecessary labels with gold letters.
Homemade Collagen Recipe: Proven with Love and Science
Ingridients:
- 1 large beef bone with a little meat (you can also use chicken feet – collagen bomb!)
- 3 carrots
- 3 parsley roots
- 1 celery root
- 2 large onions
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
Process:
- Place the bone (cut into pieces if possible – the marrow is a superfood!) in a large pot.
- Pour in water to cover all ingredients.
- Cook on low for at least 10 hours (or up to 24 hours if you have a slow cooker). Slow is the key here.
- Add vegetables and spices for the last 4 hours.
- Strain, scoop out the marrow if desired, and add it back in – because there's no harm in it.
- Store the soup in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for later.
How to enjoy homemade collagen – without ceremony
It works best in the morning or evening when digestion is more zen than confused. Heat 100-200ml, drink as a smoothie or use as a base for soups, sauces or even a healthy ginger and turmeric latte if you’re feeling adventurous.
Important: never boil! Collagen is like an introvert – it doesn't like heat and needs gentle handling.
What can you expect?
No, you won't look like you're on prom after three sips. But after a few weeks of regular consumption, you can expect:
- Brighter, more elastic skin
- Less pain and more mobility in the joints
- Stronger nails and thicker hair
- Better digestion and – why not – more inner peace
Soup for the soul? Also for the joints, skin and intestines!
Conclusion: In a world of filters, reality is the new luxury
Homemade collagen isn't a trend. It's a return to basics—the real ones that have stood the test of time (and grandma's pots). The next time an ad on your phone promises "youthful looks in 7 days," heat up a cup of slow-cooked soup and tell yourself, "I have a secret weapon."
It's not glamorous, but it works. And in a world where everyone is looking for an external shortcut to perfection, you will choose something better - inner strength that shows on the outside.
