A recent wave of scientific research is challenging the billion-baht beauty industry’s claims about animal-based collagen, revealing that vegan collagen alternatives might be just as effective for maintaining youthful skin. As collagen supplements continue to gain traction in Thailand’s wellness circles, these findings have significant implications for local consumers seeking plant-based health solutions—balancing tradition, science, and consumer ethics.
Collagen supplements, long popular among Thai beauty enthusiasts, are typically derived from animal sources such as bovine or fish tendons and bones. These products are marketed widely on social media, beauty shelves, and even in rural pharmacies, promising to boost skin elasticity and slow aging. But the growing shift towards vegan and plant-based lifestyles—evident in Bangkok’s vegan-friendly cafes and temple food fairs—has sparked curiosity: Can vegan “collagen builders” really deliver the same benefits?
Recent research reviewed by a prominent public health expert, known for his myth-busting nutrition analysis, provides new insights. Publishing his findings and commentary on his YouTube platform, this expert cites several recent studies, including a groundbreaking 2024 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from Taiwan. The Taiwanese research directly compared supplements made from animal collagen with a vegan alternative called Volal, formulated to mimic the amino acid ratio of human collagen more closely than animal-derived versions.
Over eight weeks, participants consumed either five grams of animal collagen, five grams of Volal, or a placebo each day. The results were eye-opening: both the animal collagen and vegan supplement groups experienced measurable improvements in skin elasticity and collagen density, and the differences between them were statistically insignificant. This means the vegan supplement performed on par with animal-based collagen, at least by the criteria measured. Importantly, the study was reported as independently funded—an unusual feat in a field rife with industry-sponsored research (plantbasednews.org).
Another study, this time on an Indian vegan supplement called Veg Coll, observed improvements in skin smoothness and even hair thickness. However, experts have flagged the study’s lack of a control group and its manufacturer funding as reasons for cautious interpretation—what one analyst described as a “yellow flag” for potential bias. A related study comparing hydrolyzed collagen (the form commonly used in supplements) to a blend of free amino acids mimicking collagen found no significant difference in muscle collagen synthesis after exercise. This further muddles the picture, especially given that muscle and skin collagen may respond differently over time.
Collagen itself is a protein pivotal to smooth skin, strong nails, and supple joints; its levels naturally decline with age, prompting many Thais to turn to supplements. The body does not easily absorb whole collagen molecules, so supplements are hydrolyzed (broken down into smaller peptides) for easier uptake. Plant-based alternatives can’t be called “collagen” technically, since collagen itself is exclusively animal-derived. However, vegan products deliver the key amino acids—mainly glycine and proline—that the body uses to synthesize collagen, with added nutrients like vitamin C to boost response.
Most surprising is recent evidence about glycine absorption. A controlled Stanford study involving identical twins—one following a vegan diet, the other omnivorous—found that vegans actually had higher blood glycine levels even though they consumed slightly less. The explanation appears linked to gut bacteria: meat-heavy diets foster strains that consume glycine to break down bile acids, reducing its availability for collagen synthesis and increasing byproducts that can damage the colon (Stanford twin study). For Thai vegans, who may enjoy soy-based dishes and fermented foods that promote diverse gut flora, this could represent an advantage in synthesizing collagen naturally.
Aside from supplements, experts also highlight the importance of vitamin C—abundant in guava, papaya, chili, and citrus, all staples of Thai cuisine—in collagen synthesis. Scurvy, a disease now rare but historically significant in Asia, is essentially a condition of collagen failure due to vitamin C deficiency. One small pilot study even found that daily avocado consumption improved skin elasticity and firmness, underlining the value of a balanced diet rich in collagen-friendly nutrients.
The underlying driver of this debate may be as much about ethics and economics as science. Animal-based collagen is often dismissed by plant-based advocates as an unsavory byproduct of the meat industry, despite being a R350 billion (approximately THB 350 billion) global business (Grand View Research). Thailand, a major regional meat and seafood exporter, is deeply entrenched in this supply chain. Still, the surging popularity of plant-based beauty and wellness products among Thailand’s urban youth points to changing consumer values.
Cultural attitudes matter, too. Many Thais, especially those influenced by Buddhist values, may feel uneasy consuming products derived from animal bones and tendons—perceived by some as “disgusting” or spiritually impure. Temple fairs frequently feature vegetarian stalls, and even non-vegetarian Thais may “go vegan” (กินเจ) for weeks each year, coinciding with traditional periods of merit-making. For these consumers, vegan collagen builders offer an appealing, culturally resonant option.
Still, experts urge consumers to “take all claims with a grain of salt”—or perhaps, one analyst wryly notes, “a grain of glycine.” Industry-funded research predominates, making it difficult to untangle marketing hype from genuine benefit. The current evidence—especially from independently funded studies—suggests that vegan collagen builders do improve skin elasticity and firmness, and they do so as well as their animal-based counterparts. But definitive, long-term clinical trials remain scarce.
For Thai consumers, the takeaway is twofold: First, those seeking to maintain healthy skin and joints can consider vegan collagen builders as a viable alternative, especially when paired with a diet rich in vitamin C and whole plant foods. Second, beware of overblown marketing claims and look for third-party validation when selecting any supplement, be it from the pharmacy or the night market.
Looking ahead, more rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to clarify whether vegan collagen products can deliver lasting benefits—and to what extent they aid Thais of all ages in pursuing radiance and resilience naturally. Authorities such as senior officials from the Ministry of Public Health have advised consumers to focus on holistic wellness, emphasizing that “no supplement can replace a balanced diet and sensible skincare.” As the science continues to evolve, so too will Thailand’s blend of tradition and innovation in beauty and health.
For interested readers, the full review of relevant studies and more insights into plant-based wellness can be found at Plant Based News.