Jennifer Aniston is an American actress best known for her role in Friends. The sitcom launched her into stardom, and her career has flourished ever since. Most recently, she starred in the TV series The Morning Show alongside Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell. But she has expanded beyond acting.
She has made many famous brand endorsement deals over the years, like with Aveeno and Smart Water. But most recently, she became the chief creative officer for Vital Proteins after using the products regularly for years. Aniston is 53 (turning 54 on February 11), and she has opened up about her routine that helps maintain her gorgeous, youthful glow. [1]
Jennifer Aniston’s Wellness Regime
In 2016, Aniston touted her simple philosophy regarding wellness and beauty. In an interview with Bazaar UK in 2016, the actress explained her approach to beauty and well-being. “I always tell my friends to get more sleep and drink more water. If you’re dehydrated or you’ve under slept, it really shows in your skin. And every morning I try to make time to meditate, but generally I relax pretty easily. I also take daily vitamins.”
More recently, she had to change her workout routine because of a back injury in October 2020. “I’d done a really hard workout, and then one day I tried to get up and couldn’t. I literally fell to the floor and ended up having to go get an MRI. Sure enough, I had a 9-mm bulging disc, which is really intense. So my whole workout had to change.” So she turned to Pilates, a gentler workout that allowed her to better listen to her body.
Jennifer Aniston used to keep a strict low-carb diet, but now she enjoys diversifying her food. “[I] started to give myself a break, allowing yourself to have pasta, a sandwich,” she said. “Everyone’s very afraid of the bread basket, and I’m no longer afraid. As long as it’s all done in moderation.” [2]
But her mornings consist mostly of beverages. “I kind of naturally do intermittent fasting, just because I’m not a breakfast person,” she said. “I just like a cup of coffee and my collagen.” She refers to this routine when she describes her journey to become the chief creative officer for Vital Proteins. “I have had a passion for health and wellness for years,” Aniston said. “I know that this topic can be overwhelming so through this campaign, I want to show simple ways to incorporate collagen into your daily life for me, it’s adding it to my morning coffee and replenishing after a workout, but there is truly an option for everyone.” [3]
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What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein found all over the body. Its role involves skin elasticity and bone and joint health. The body naturally creates collagen, but its production slows down over time. This can cause skin to lose elasticity, which can lead to wrinkles. Therefore, many people are interested in replenishing their collagen levels through food like bone broth or supplements. There’s limited research on the effectiveness of collagen supplements, but the studies so far show some promise. These are the benefits proven so far: [4]
- Better Skin Health – Collagen has helped the elasticity and hydration in facial skin in two studies, leading to the reduction of wrinkles.
- Improved Joint Health – One research review showed that collagen supplements help promote joint health and restore some bone density for those with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. It also helped alleviate joint pain.
- Prevents Bone Loss – One small study found that women taking calcium and collagen supplements for one year showed lower levels of the protein that causes bone loss, compared to those who just took calcium, but more research is needed to fully prove this benefit.
- Increased Muscle Mass – A small study of 53 men found an increase in muscle mass and strength after regular exercise for 12 weeks, a slightly higher increase than those on the placebo. However, further research is needed to prove this effect.
- Supports Heart Health – Collagen supplements may help support the cardiovascular system, as seen in a small study where one group took 16 grams of collagen tripeptide for 6 months and saw a notable reduction in artery stiffness and cholesterol levels. But like other items on this list, more research is needed.
There are other touted benefits of collagen, including good gut health, weight maintenance, improved mood and reduced anxiety, and nail and hair growth. However, these claims are not backed by scientific research as of yet.
How to Increase Collagen Levels
You can increase your collagen levels by eating foods that promote its production in the body. This includes glycine- and proline-rich foods like eggs, beans, chicken, beef, fish, and dairy. Also, eat foods rich in vitamin C, zinc, and copper, like whole grains, nuts, fruits, leafy greens, and tomatoes.
You can also put collagen powder like this one into coffee, tea, smoothies, shakes, soups, and even baked goods. Remember that most of these supplements are not vegetarian or vegan-friendly since they are of animal origin. There are some vegan versions, but they are less widely available. [5]
Keep Reading: 9 Benefits of NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine): The ‘Do-It-All Supplement’ You’ve Never Heard Of
Sources
- “Jennifer Aniston Is the New Face of Vital Proteins Collagen.” Harpers Bazaar. Katie Intner. November 18, 2020
- “Jennifer Aniston Says She’s ‘No Longer Afraid’ of the Bread Basket: ‘All Done in Moderation’.” People. Julie Mazziotta. June 24, 2021
- “A BREAKDOWN OF JENNIFER ANISTON’S DAILY COLLAGEN ROUTINE.” Vital Proteins. Grace Gavilanes and Jordan Smith. July 29, 2022
- “What to know about collagen supplements.” Medical News Today. Jenna Fletcher. June 1, 2019
- “Health Benefits of Collagen.” WebMD. Stephanie S. Gardner, MD. December 13, 2022