Collagen, which comprises 80% of the ligaments, cartilage, and tissues of our skin, is the most abundant protein in the human body. Unfortunately, around the age of 30, our bodies stop producing collagen. This can increase injury risk and accelerate the appearance of wrinkles, but there is hope.
French start-up Humble+ was co-founded by Romain Quillot and Sébastien Perez to help address this issue and improve collagen consumption on a daily basis. Taking powdered collagen sourced from other animals, such as beef or fish, can have many benefits. However, consuming it can be unpleasant, with an overpowering taste and challenging texture when blended with water.
Humble+ has developed a range of products for ‘active lifestyle’ consumers, including collagen water and collagen bars. Using fish sourced from France, the first product to hit shelves contains 5g of collagen. Humble+ spent eight months on research and development to create a functional, tasty, and healthy product that is free from sugar, sweeteners, and artificial ingredients.
Clinical studies have shown that consuming 5g of collagen per day for eight weeks can significantly improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Consuming 10g per day for the same period can reduce joint pain, while daily consumption can improve muscle recovery. Although Humble+ cannot make health claims based on these studies, it can promote collagen as a pure protein that helps consumers maintain healthy bones and muscle mass.
The amount of collagen an individual should consume each day depends on their objectives. To improve joint pain, 10g per day, or two cans of collagen water, are recommended. However, daily consumption of one can can improve global wellness.
Humble+ sees immense potential for the collagen market in functional food and drink. Its broad target market is not limited to bodybuilders or gym-goers but extends to people who enjoy staying active and visit the gym a few times a week. The start-up is now exploring other geographies to expand its reach, with Monoprix in France already on board.
While the size of the consumer market in France is not as significant as in other parts of Europe, the UK, and some regions of the Middle East, Quillot suspects that collagen will be the next hot topic after CBD. Humble+ is working to broaden its portfolio and has developed collagen bars, collagen powder, and an animal-free collagen alternative made by combining the 18 amino acids found in collagen from vegan sources.