Why Some Collagen Powders Cause Diarrhoea | Gentle Collagen Australia
If a collagen powder gave you diarrhoea, bloating or cramps, you probably blamed the collagen.
Most people do.
But in practice, the peptide is rarely the problem.
It’s the company it keeps.
Collagen is a simple protein
Hydrolysed collagen peptides are already broken into small chains. Dietitians often describe them as low-burden compared with whey or plant proteins.
So when stomach issues appear, it’s usually because modern collagen powders are no longer just collagen. They’re flavoured wellness drinks with sweeteners, acids and “extras” doing the heavy lifting.
The four real reasons people react
1. Sugar alcohols – the silent trigger
Many popular blends rely on erythritol or xylitol to taste sweet without calories. These can pull water into the bowel and speed digestion. For sensitive people that can mean loose stools, urgency or cramping.
“Sugar alcohols are a common cause of gastrointestinal discomfort in susceptible individuals,” explains Medical News Today when discussing supplement side effects.
2. Flavour systems and acids
“Natural flavours,” citric and malic acid make powders drinkable, but they can irritate delicate guts. Two tubs can contain the same collagen and feel completely different because of the flavour recipe.
3. Too many passengers in the formula
Collagen + vitamins + herbs + thickeners + colours = more variables your body has to negotiate. When something goes wrong, you can’t tell which ingredient caused it.
4. Generic collagen with no identity
If the label only says “hydrolysed collagen blend” you have no idea:
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what peptide profile it is
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how consistent batches are
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whether it matches any human research
Quality and tolerance can swing wildly.
How to read a collagen label like an insider
Before you buy, ask four questions:
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Is the peptide named?
Look for Verisol, Peptan, Fortigel – not a proprietary mystery. -
Are there sugar alcohols?
Erythritol is the most common culprit for diarrhoea. -
How long is the ingredient list?
Shorter is usually gentler. -
Is there a plain option?
Unflavoured removes the biggest variable.
If those answers are unclear, the tub is a gamble.
Where NEE-V sits in this
We built NEE-V backwards from this problem.
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Veri Berry – Verisol peptides, light natural flavour, no sugar alcohols
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Glow Naked – pure Verisol, nothing added
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Hydra Plenish Marine – arriving in ~6 weeks, same minimalist philosophy
One peptide. Few ingredients. No digestive landmines.
Clinical reviews of collagen peptides show benefits for skin hydration and elasticity when consistent daily intake is maintained. Our job was to deliver that peptide without the extras that make people quit.
If you’ve reacted before, try this
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Start with Glow Naked (unflavoured)
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Half serve for 3 days
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Take with water, not a complex smoothie
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Add flavour later if you tolerate it
Most people discover it wasn’t collagen their stomach disliked – it was the recipe.
The bottom line
Collagen shouldn’t feel dramatic.
If a powder sends you running to the bathroom, look at the label before you abandon the idea entirely.
Wellness should be quiet, not chaotic.
Explore the simple options
Small habits. Long view.