In an effort to meet the new trend towards ingestible products with beautifying claims, Nestlé has launched an instant coffee containing 200mg of collagen (the protein responsible for skin strength and elasticity) as a part of its Nescafé Body Partner Range in Singapore.

Collagen, which is normally used by cosmetic surgeons as a filler to help remove fine lines, is now thought to improve the skin through ingestion.

However, many medical professionals are doubtful of these claims. According to James Hammer, a cosmetic chemist from Pharmasol Corporation in Massachusetts, he says that ingested protein is important to the body, but not specifically useful for benefiting connective tissues– “it’s just like eating that piece of chicken you had for dinner.”

via nytimes