We all want to build strength. But what if we’ve been skipping a crucial piece of the recovery puzzle?

A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition looked at what happens when you combine whey protein with collagen—and the results might change the way you approach post-workout nutrition.

The Experiment

Researchers gave healthy older men 30 grams of protein in two forms:

• Whey protein alone
  
• Whey protein + collagen peptides
  
  

They then measured how well their bodies repaired:

• Muscle tissue (myofibrillar synthesis)
  
• Connective tissue (like tendons and fascia)
  

The Takeaway

Both proteins supported muscle repair.

But only the whey and collagen blend significantly improved connective tissue synthesis, helping the body rebuild not just muscle fibers—but the scaffolding that holds them together, too.

What This Means for You

If you’re...

• Recovering from hard training
  
• Dealing with joint aches or tendon stress
  
• Over 40 and prioritizing longevity
  
• Or just want to stay bulletproof…
  
  

…Then blending collagen into your whey shake might be one of the simplest recovery upgrades you can make.

At True Nutrition, our custom mixes let you do exactly that—just add collagen peptides to your post-workout formula, and you’re building from the inside out.

Need a little inspiration? Try our bright and lemony Summer Blend here—or customize your own from the ground up.

Aussieker T, Kaiser J, Hermans WJH, Hendriks FK, Holwerda AM, Senden JM, VAN Kranenburg JMX, Goessens JPB, Braun U, Baar K, Snijders T, VAN Loon LJC. Ingestion of a Whey Plus Collagen Protein Blend Increases Myofibrillar and Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Mar 1;57(3):544-554. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003596. Epub 2024 Nov 6. PMID: 39501478; PMCID: PMC11801439.