Does Heat Affect Collagen Supplements?
Scarlett Gray
BNutrDiet (Hons), APD, SDA
Reviewed by Scarlett Gray · About Scarlett
Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia (APD200526). Accredited Sports Dietitian and Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician. First Class Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle.
So you've decided to add Kollo Health's marine collagen supplements to your routine, but you're curious how to store them properly. Maybe you live in a hotter climate and don't want them to go bad if left out too long, or you'd like to mix them in your favourite hot beverage (or both). Here's the honest picture on heat, hydrolysed collagen peptides, and everyday supplement use.
Why collagen is important to your body
Collagen comprises approximately 30% of the body's total protein. It serves as a structural building block for skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, hair and connective tissues. Collagen also plays a role in blood vessels and intestinal lining.
Collagen production begins to decline from around age 25 at roughly 1% per year. The older you get, the more support your body's natural processes may benefit from — which is why many people turn to collagen supplementation.
What people take marine collagen supplements for
People take marine collagen supplements to:
- Improve the health and appearance of skin (systematic review evidence)
- Boost bone health
- Preserve muscle mass or reduce fat mass*
- Alleviate joint pain
- Improve heart health*
- Improve the appearance of hair and nails
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen contains Naticol® marine collagen peptides alongside vitamin C (100% NRV), B vitamins (B1, B5, B6, B12 at 100% NRV each) and l-lysine to support these outcomes.
What happens when collagen is heated?
Hot liquids actually make collagen powder easier to dissolve, not harder. Stir the powder into a small amount of hot water first, then add it to your coffee or tea. A small whisk or milk frother gives the cleanest finish.
The science: how heat impacts collagen supplements
Hydrolysed collagen peptides are produced through controlled processing that uses heat and enzymes to break down the collagen structure into smaller, absorbable chains. This is the intended manufacturing process — the peptides you take are already in their post-heat form.
Research on collagen thermal analysis shows that structural changes to collagen begin at around (150 ± 10)°C (gelatinization), with actual thermal degradation occurring at around (300 ± 10)°C. Both of these temperatures are far above any drink or ordinary food you'd consume — hot coffee is typically 90-96°C, and boiling water is 100°C.
Temperature guidelines for collagen
| Temperature | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Safe for collagen? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body temperature | 37°C | 98.6°F | ✓ Perfectly safe |
| Hot coffee/tea | 90-96°C | 195-205°F | ✓ Safe — peptides remain stable |
| Boiling water | 100°C | 212°F | ✓ Safe but unnecessary |
| Hot car / direct sun | 60-70°C | 140-160°F | ⚠ Avoid prolonged exposure |
| Structural change begins | 150°C+ | 302°F+ | ⚠ Above typical drink range |
| Significant degradation | 300°C+ | 572°F+ | ✗ Well above any food/drink |
Can you add collagen to coffee and hot drinks?
Yes. Most people brew their daily coffee at temperatures of 90-96°C (195-205°F). Adding collagen to coffee or tea at these temperatures is safe and won't reduce peptide effectiveness — this is well within the stable range for hydrolysed collagen.
If you're a coffee lover wondering whether you can put collagen in coffee, the answer is yes. Mixing marine collagen with your morning beverage is a practical way to build a consistent daily habit without adding an extra step to your routine.
Tips for adding collagen to hot drinks
- Stir well to ensure the collagen dissolves completely
- Add collagen after brewing, not during
- Allow coffee to cool slightly (under 100°C) for optimal mixing
- Liquid collagen mixes more easily than powder in hot beverages
- The tropical flavour of Kollo pairs well with coffee or can be enjoyed on its own
Best ways to store collagen in hot climates
In hot climates, proper storage of collagen supplements helps maintain freshness and shelf life. Liquid collagen can typically be stored at room temperature. However, it's best to store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain its quality over time.
Storage guidelines
- Keep away from heat sources such as heaters, stoves or ovens
- Avoid direct sunlight and windows where temperature fluctuates
- Store in a pantry or cupboard to reduce exposure to humidity
- Don't leave collagen in a hot car for extended periods
- Avoid areas prone to temperature fluctuations, like near doors
- Refrigeration isn't necessary but some people prefer the taste when chilled
Once opened, any remaining collagen from a sachet should be refrigerated if not consumed immediately. Make sure to seal it tightly to prevent moisture absorption.
What about cooking with collagen?
While adding collagen to hot beverages is safe, cooking with collagen at very high temperatures for extended periods isn't recommended. Baking, frying or roasting at temperatures above 150°C can begin to affect the peptide structure over prolonged exposure.
If you want to add collagen to food, mix it into foods after cooking — such as stirring it into porridge, smoothie bowls, yoghurt or soups that have cooled slightly below boiling temperature. Read our complete guide to mixing collagen powder for more.
Signs your collagen may have been damaged
Hydrolysed collagen is quite stable, but here are signs that heat or storage exposure may have affected your supplement:
- Change in colour (browning or darkening)
- Unusual odour or off smell
- Clumping or changes in texture
- Liquid separation or changes in consistency
- Past use-by date
If you notice any of these changes, it's best to replace your supplement. Kollo sachets are individually sealed to maintain freshness and prevent degradation, which makes them more stable than bulk powder formats.
Why Kollo's liquid format is heat-stable
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen is designed for stability and convenience. Each sachet is individually sealed, protecting the collagen from heat, moisture and oxygen until you're ready to use it. The liquid format also mixes easily into hot beverages.
The Naticol® marine collagen peptides used in Kollo are processed under controlled conditions to ensure consistent peptide quality. Combined with the protective packaging, this means your collagen supplement remains stable whether stored in London or Lisbon.
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen provides 10,000mg of Naticol® marine collagen peptides plus vitamin C, B1, B5, B6, B12 (all 100% NRV) and l-lysine in every sachet. Each batch is Informed Choice certified for purity — independently tested against 250+ substances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does heat destroy collagen supplements?
No. Adding collagen peptides to a hot beverage like coffee (~90°C) doesn't meaningfully reduce their nutritional value. Hydrolysed collagen peptides are already deliberately thermally denatured and enzymatically cleaved into small peptides during production, so they remain stable at typical cooking and drinking temperatures and remain digestible.
Can I put collagen in my coffee?
Yes. Coffee is typically brewed at 90-96°C, which is well within the safe range for hydrolysed collagen peptides. Stir well or use a milk frother for the cleanest finish. Adding the collagen after brewing works better than during.
At what temperature does collagen actually break down?
Research shows structural changes to collagen begin at around 150°C (gelatinization), with significant thermal degradation occurring at around 300°C. Both are well above the temperature of any drink or ordinary food you'd consume, so everyday hot beverages and general cooking are fine.
Can I cook with collagen?
Adding collagen to foods after cooking (stirring into porridge, soups, yoghurt after they've cooled slightly below boiling) is ideal. Extended high-temperature cooking above 150°C — like baking or frying — isn't recommended for supplement effectiveness.
How should I store collagen in a hot climate?
Keep collagen in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Don't leave sachets in a hot car for extended periods. Individual sachets are more heat-stable than bulk powder formats because the sealed packaging protects from moisture and temperature fluctuations. Refrigeration isn't required but is fine if you prefer.
Does heat affect the vitamin C in Kollo?
Vitamin C is more heat-sensitive than collagen peptides. Adding Kollo to boiling-hot drinks for extended periods may reduce the vitamin C content over time. For maximum vitamin C benefit, add Kollo to warm rather than boiling drinks, or consume shortly after mixing.
Kollo Health was co-founded by Jenni Falconer — TV presenter, Smooth Radio breakfast host, ten-time London Marathon runner and host of the RunPod podcast. Jenni designed Kollo to fit seamlessly into busy morning routines — whether you prefer your collagen mixed with coffee, stirred into water, or enjoyed on its own with the tropical flavour.
