A Deep Dive into Science-Backed Collagen Peptides

At Natural Products Expo West, Nutritional Outlook sat down with Angie Rimell, product promotions manager at Gelita, to discuss how the company is advancing collagen peptide ingredients for the sports and active nutrition markets. As a business-to-business ingredient supplier, Gelita focuses on providing science-backed collagen solutions that enable brand partners to develop products supporting key pillars of sports nutrition, including performance, recovery, and joint health.

Rimell explained that collagen has long been associated with general health and beauty benefits, but recent research has increasingly highlighted its potential role in athletic performance and recovery. Gelita’s portfolio of bioactive collagen peptides is designed to deliver targeted physiological benefits, which distinguishes them from standard collagen ingredients. These specialized peptides are developed to interact with specific biological pathways, helping support connective tissue, muscle function, and overall physical resilience.

Because Gelita operates primarily as an ingredient supplier rather than a consumer brand, the company’s main objective is to equip its partners with ingredients supported by strong scientific research. This allows product developers and brands to create finished products with clearly defined benefits and credible claims. Rimell emphasized that not all collagen is created equal, and that bioactive collagen peptides can be tailored to address distinct functional needs depending on the application.

The conversation also highlighted the continued growth of sports and active nutrition as a category. Consumers—from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts—are increasingly seeking products that support recovery, mobility, and long-term joint health. This demand has created opportunities for ingredient suppliers like Gelita to collaborate with brands on new formulations that meet evolving consumer expectations.

A transcript of Rimell’s conversation can be found below.

Nicholas Saraceno: Ladies and gentlemen, we are live from Expo West. I am Nico Saraceno, senior editor of Nutritional Outlook, and I'm here, joined today by Angie Rimell, product promotions manager with Gelita. Thank you for joining us today, here at day one of the show.

Angie Rimmel: Thank you for being with us.

Saraceno: Well, there's a lot to get to today. Obviously, a very chaotic, but organized chaos kind of show. You guys are here with a very impressive booth. So let's get into the main attraction, collagen peptides. They’re known for being used in sports and active nutrition products. So could you maybe get into how Gelita is positioning its collagen ingredients to help with performance, recovery and joint health for athletes alike?

Rimmel: As a business-to-business ingredient supplier, our role at Gelita is actually to empower our ground partners to bring science-backed solutions that they can confidently bring to their customers that support these pillars of sports nutrition, like performance and recovery. But keep in mind, all collagen is not the same. Bioactive collagen peptides, target specific physiological benefits.

Saraceno: Angie, I think a big trend in general—and here at Expo Wes—is really catering to what the consumers are looking for, and there's been a big push on the diversity in delivery formats. Could you get into how Gelita is doing that? Because there's the gummies, there’s ready-to-drink, the powders. Maybe you can kind of dive into that a little bit.

Rimmel: Sure, absolutely. Consumers want to get their functional nutrition in enjoyable and convenient ways. At Gelita, we have 150 years of experience with collagen proteins and are committed to innovation. We have a couple of particular products. We have a specialized gelatin to produce protein enriched and sugar reduced gummies. We also have just launched a collagen peptide that is to help formulators to build better bars.

In the high protein bars, the texture might become hard or chalky—a mouthful—and this collagen peptide greatly reduces that while still maintaining the shelf life. In ready-to-drink beverages, collagen peptides are neutral in text, taste, and odor and highly soluble.

Ultimately, Gelita’s goal is to help brands differentiate, not just through claims, but through delivery. Gelita is not just an ingredient supplier—we are a powerhouse of knowledge and technical expertise, and we are here to help brands to develop these consumer products.