ADVERTORIAL
Women’s Health > Skin > Collagen
Why This One Nutrient Found in Raw Broccoli Helps Support Your Body's Natural Collagen Formation
Written by Jenna Barton
Updated Aug 11, 2026
18,842 Views
52 Comments
5 min read
If you’ve taken collagen for months but feel like it's not doing much, this one nutrient in raw broccoli could be worth a shot.
Studies show enzymes in skin cells rely on this nutrient to produce normal, healthy collagen.
But before you crunch down on some raw broccoli (which I’m sure you’re not looking forward to anyway…)
Here’s a need-to-know about how our bodies work, and why it matters:
Your body doesn’t absorb nutrients in isolation.
It needs cofactors.
That's why Calcium is best when paired with Vitamin D, Vitamin D is best with K2, Magnesium with B6… the list goes on.
And that same rule APPLIES to collagen.
Here’s What Actually Happens After You Eat Collagen (And Why It Matters)
- Your body breaks it down into smaller peptides and amino acids.
- These pieces get absorbed and travel to your skin, where they stimulate fibroblasts (your "collagen-building" cells) to build long chains called procollagen.
- IMPORTANT: “Specialized Enzymes” (called prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase) then twist three of these procollagen chains together to form collagen's signature triple helix, the structure that gives collagen its characteristic strength and stability.
Without the triple helix structure, collagen ends up weak, unstable, and easily degradable.
The Study From 1981 That Found One Nutrient Our “Specialized Enzymes” Need to Function Normally
Early studies showed these “Specialized Enzymes” RELIED on one nutrient to consistently build collagen’s triple helix.
Today, it’s well established that…
The difference between healthy, strong collagen fibres versus weaker, unstable ones is VITAMIN C…
…and on a per gram basis, raw broccoli actually has MORE Vitamin C than an orange!
Now, you’re probably aware Vitamin C is important…
But How Much Vitamin C Is Actually Needed To Support Normal Collagen Formation?
Although research doesn’t point to a specific number or dosage…
A good rule of thumb is Health Canada’s Dietary Reference Intake, where the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for adult women is 75 mg, and 90 mg for adult men.
Getting adequate vitamin C supports your body's normal connective tissue and collagen formation.
And here are some excellent sources of Vitamin C:
- 1 cup chopped raw Broccoli or Kale (~81 mg)
- 1 medium sized Orange (~83 mg)
- 8 Strawberries, or about 1 cup sliced (~75 mg)
- 4-5 Acerola Cherries (~80 mg)
- 2 whole Lemons (~90 mg)
…eaten consistently, every single day.
But if you’d like to SKIP the hassle of buying 15 different fruits and veggies each week, and burning a hole through your wallet in the process
OR avoid counting macros like a “gym-rat” just to make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin C daily…
There’s a Simple Way to Get Collagen, Vitamin C… PLUS 11 Other Essential Vitamins
WITHOUT adding a single step to your current routine.
In fact, it’ll likely REDUCE the overall number of supplements you need to take each day significantly.
So you can…
- Finally clear the supplement graveyard that’s quietly taken over your cupboards and pantry
- Spend less time wondering “whether you’ve taken that pill today” and leave supplement overwhelm in the past
- Actually enjoy taking care of your health again and not feel like a science project.
Maybe that sounds a little too good to be true.
But your health shouldn’t feel like a chore… especially as we age.
It shouldn’t feel like an afterthought tucked away until everybody else’s needs have been met.
In fact, as our bodies change, it deserves better support.
Which is Exactly Why Zentein’s Superfood Collagen Was Created.
WARNING: this isn't for you if you’re looking for…
- Another “pill” or “powder” you force yourself to swallow every morning
- Another greens powder that stacks low dosages of vitamins to “look good”
- Another clumpy collagen shake with a weird aftertaste
- A miracle “quick-fix”
It’s a thoughtful blend of 14 nutritious REAL foods mixed with pure hydrolyzed bovine collagen made right here in Ontario, Canada.
That took Zentein five years to get right and feel genuinely proud to share.
It contains hydrolyzed bovine collagen (Types I and III), plus a full day's worth of 12 essential vitamins… including 97 mg of Vitamin C and 10g of Collagen protein per serving.
No “proprietary blend” so here’s the entire ingredients list so you know exactly what you’re getting…
What's inside
14 whole food ingredients · No artifical additives, flavors or sweeteners
Every serving delivers 100%+ of your daily need
Across 12 essential vitamins
† % Daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values exceeding 100% indicate the Superfood Blend meets your full daily requirement for that nutrient.
These nutrient levels reflect the combined contribution of the whole blend, not any single ingredient.
But aside from being super nutritious, customers love that it’s also flavourless, odourless and CLUMP-FREE, which is one of the reasons Superfood Collagen sold out last month.
So if you’re reading this it means this batch is likely still in stock!
Zentein is also offering a Free Welcome Kit (valued at $50 CAD) – while supplies last.
That includes FULL sized gifts of:
3 Mystery Flavours of Elite Squares
Made with the same Superfood Blend loved by thousands of Canadians (bestseller). Each square has 10 grams of protein from bovine collagen + plant sources while providing 30% DV of 12 essential vitamins.
1 Lemon Lime Electrolyte Powder
Perfect for sunny outdoor days with the family, made with real freeze-dried lime, freeze-dried lemon, Mediterranean sea salt, and essential electrolyte minerals.
The Insiders Collagen Cookbook (E-Book)
11 sweet AND SAVOURY recipes that pair perfectly with your order of Superfood Collagen… like chilis, soups, shakes and desserts!
Click below to claim your Free Welcome Kit - on us.
Check Availability 👉🏻Final Note
If you’re still on the fence, I feel you.
Maybe you’ve tried everything… The “dermatologist-backed” supplements, the viral 15 step Instagram routines, the clumpy collagen powders, expensive retinols, but felt nothing.
Zentein truly believes everyone deserves to feel as vibrant on the outside as they do on the inside.
Which is why, from the moment your order arrives, you have a full 30 days to make sure everything's right.
If anything shows up damaged, defective, or incorrect, just reach out to info@zentein.ca and a real person will get back to you, not a bot!
Their team reads and replies to each message and will keep you updated at every step, so you're never left wondering where things stand.
Fast, human, and accountable support, every time.
You’ve always taken care of everybody else, now it’s time to take care of you.
Take Care of You 👉🏻Individual results may vary. This product is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Vitamin C aids in normal connective tissue formation as part of a healthy diet.