Are Pork Rinds High in Collagen? The Surprising Truth

Collagen has become an increasingly popular nutrient in health and wellness circles. This structural protein makes up a large part of connective tissues in the body and plays a vital role in skin elasticity, joint support, and bone health. As we age, collagen production starts to decline, leading many people to seek out collagen-rich foods or supplements

While most associate collagen with bone broth and protein powders, you may be surprised to learn that pork rinds are also a source of this important protein. Keep reading to find out more about pork rinds and collagen.

What is Collagen and Why Do We Need It?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up about 30% of total protein content. It forms a key structural component of connective tissues such as skin, bones, tendons, cartilage, and blood vessels.

There are at least 16 different types of collagen in the body, but 80-90% consists of types I, II, and III. These collagen types play important roles:

Type I Forms fibers that provide structure and strength to skin bones tendons, and ligaments.
Type II: Supports joint health as a major component of cartilage.
Type III: Helps form reticular fibers that provide elasticity and flexibility to organs and muscles.

As we age, collagen production starts to decline. Collagen loss can lead to common signs of aging like wrinkles, joint discomfort, and weakened bones. Consuming collagen-rich foods or supplements may help counteract this decrease.

Potential benefits of getting enough collagen include:

Improved skin elasticity and hydration
Reduced joint pain and osteoarthritis symptoms
Increased bone density
Healthier cardiovascular system
Enhanced muscle mass and athletic performance

Do Pork Rinds Contain Collagen?

You may be surprised to learn that yes, pork rinds do contain collagen!

Pork rinds are made by deep-frying or baking slices of pig skin until they become crunchy and crispy. Pig skin naturally contains collagen, primarily type I collagen.

When pork skin goes through processing to become pork rinds, the collagen remains intact. So pork rinds provide a source of collagen that our bodies can absorb and utilize.

The collagen content of pork rinds can vary based on factors like:

Cut of skin used
Processing method
Cooking method
Serving size

But studies show that pork rinds may contain around 5-10% collagen by weight. The collagen is found throughout the pork rind, not just the outer skin layer.

How Do Pork Rinds Compare to Other Collagen Sources?

While pork rinds contain collagen, they are not the most concentrated source compared to supplements or foods like bone broth.

Some examples of high collagen foods include:

Bone broth: 10-12 g collagen per 1 cup
Beef gelatin: 15-20 g collagen per ounce
Fish (salmon): 1-5 g collagen per 3 ounces
Chicken: up to 1 g collagen per 3 ounces
Pork rinds: 5-10 g collagen per 3 ounces

As you can see, pork rinds land in the middle of the pack when it comes to collagen content. Supplements like powder and tablets may contain 10-20 g per serving.

So pork rinds can provide a decent amount of collagen, but likely not enough on their own to meet your daily needs. Combining them with other collagen-boosting foods as part of a balanced diet is important.

Health Benefits of Consuming Pork Rinds

In addition to collagen, pork rinds offer other nutritional benefits:

High in protein: Contain around 20g protein per 1 ounce serving. The protein is very bioavailable too.
Low in carbs: Less than 1g net carbs per serving, making them keto-friendly.
Source of vitamins and minerals: Provide small amounts of B vitamins, selenium, calcium, iron and magnesium.
Contain antioxidants: Packed with glutathione which helps control inflammation and oxidative stress.

Consuming pork rinds in moderation can therefore contribute to:

Stronger muscles and bones
Reduced joint discomfort
Healthy skin and nails
Improved post-workout recovery
Better immune function

Just keep in mind that pork rinds are high in sodium, so limit intake if you have high blood pressure or heart concerns.

Tips for Buying and Eating Pork Rinds

When shopping for pork rinds, read ingredient labels carefully. The healthiest options contain just pork skin, salt, and spices. Avoid rinds with MSG, artificial flavors, corn syrup, and other additives.

The best pork rinds are freshly cooked rather than pre-packaged. You can make baked pork rinds at home by slicing skin into strips, seasoning, and baking until crispy.

For the highest collagen content, choose rinds made from pig trotters (feet), tails, and ears which have more connective tissue.

Here are some tasty ways to enjoy pork rinds:

Sprinkle on salads or soups as a crunchy topping
Use as breading for chicken tenders or fish fillets
Crush up and use as breadcrumb coating for meats
Pair with guacamole or salsas for dipping
Mix into low-carb pizza crust

Stick to about 1-2 ounces per day to keep calories and sodium in check. Avoid going overboard on pork rinds to maximize their collagen benefits.

The Bottom Line on Pork Rinds and Collagen

While not a collagen superfood, pork rinds can be a tasty way to increase your collagen consumption, especially on low-carb diets. They provide a decent amount of bioavailable collagen to support skin health, joints, and bones.

For optimal collagen intake, enjoy pork rinds moderately along with other collagen-rich foods like bone broth and fish. As always, speak to your healthcare provider about diet changes and new supplements.

Collagen is an important protein that keeps our bodies running smoothly. Consuming pork rinds as part of a balanced diet can help maintain healthy collagen levels as we age. Just be mindful of portions when snacking on these crispy, crave-worthy treats.

Top 5 Foods High in Collagen!

FAQ

Is pork rind rich in collagen?

Foods high in collagen are bone broth, gelatin, pork rinds, salmon, sardines, pork skin, chicken skin, spare ribs, beef short ribs, oxtail and chicken wings.

What are the benefits of eating pork rinds?

Unlike potato or tortilla chips, pork rinds have no carbohydrates. They’re high in fat and protein, which makes them popular with people who are on low-carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins Diet or a keto or paleo diet plan.

What part of pork has collagen?

Pork ribs have less meat than other portions of the pig. But the ribs are also high in collagen. If cooked for a long time at a slow temperature, the ribs become so tender the meat practically falls off the bone. However, you need a lot of patience to cook ribs.

Are pork rinds healthy?

Pork rinds are not a good source of vitamins and minerals. Unlike potato or tortilla chips, pork rinds have no carbohydrates. They’re high in fat and protein, which makes them popular with people who are on low-carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins Diet or a keto or paleo diet plan.

Why is pork not recommended to eat?

This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.

Are pork rinds bad for You?

Pork rinds are high in both saturated fat and cholesterol, an unhealthy combination that can raise your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels — the “bad” kind of cholesterol. If you eat pork rinds, here are some things to consider: Look for brands that don’t contain artificial preservatives and flavorings and that are lower in sodium.

Are pork rinds low in cholesterol?

Pig skin also provides us with energy, and pork rind fat stores that energy. Plain pork rinds are low in cholesterol. One serving of this snack has about 5% cholesterol, so it’s a good choice if you’re on a low-cholesterol diet.