Collagen and Heart Health: Nourish Your Cardiovascular System This Winter

February is American Heart Month — a time to build awareness around heart disease and lean into everyday lifestyle habits that support cardiovascular health.

After all, heart health isn’t built in a single workout or one “perfect” meal. It’s shaped by small, repeatable habits that influence how well our body circulates, recovers, and keeps us feeling energized and resilient.

So in this guide, we’re exploring how collagen fits into cardiovascular wellness and a few cozy, realistic ways to improve heart health without overcomplicating it. 

♥️ WINTER WELLNESS STARTS WITH HEART HEALTH: HERE’S WHY

It’s probably no accident that American Heart Month falls in the throes of winter and lands in the same month as the heart-shaped-everything of Valentine’s Day.

Research shows a clear seasonal trend: heart-related events tend to rise during colder months, when your cardiovascular system has to work a little harder just to keep up.[*]

Cold air alone can increase strain on your heart and lungs. Your blood vessels tighten to conserve heat, which makes circulation less efficient and can nudge blood pressure higher. Your heart even burns extra energy trying to keep your body warm.[*]

And all that happens before you layer in real life. Less movement. Heavier seasonal eating. Holiday stress. The occasional heroic snow-shoveling moment. Suddenly, your heart is pulling overtime.

So think of winter as a check-in point. A season that calls for a little more intention and supportive habits that give your heart extra care instead of asking it to push through on autopilot.

❣️ IS COLLAGEN GOOD FOR YOUR HEART?

Short answer? Yes! While collagen usually gets credit for better gut health, glowing skin, and happy joints, research on collagen and heart health suggests its benefits also extend to your cardiovascular wellness.[*]

But let’s back up real quick. 

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and shows up anywhere connective tissue is involved. That includes your skin, bones, ligaments, digestive tract, and, surprise, your heart and blood vessels.[*]

Your body makes collagen on its own, but production slows with age. Worse? The collagen you do produce breaks down faster and gets lower in quality over time (so unfair).[*] That’s why collagen peptides seriously earn their keep.

They’re collagen that’s been gently broken down so you can easily absorb them. Once consumed, they deliver amino acids that not only supply raw materials to increase your collagen supply but also tell your body to boost and keep collagen production online. Win-win!

💝 COLLAGEN BENEFITS FOR YOUR HEART HEALTH, BACKED BY SCIENCE

So, how is collagen good for heart health?

Studies show that supplementing with collagen peptides has been linked to improvements in several markers tied to cardiovascular wellness, including:[*][*]

• Healthier cholesterol levels

• Lower systolic blood pressure

• Reduced arterial stiffness

• Better body composition

All of those matter because they influence how hard your heart has to work day to day.

Dig a little deeper, and you get to the amino acid story. Your body breaks down collagen peptides into amino acids — the same building blocks it uses to maintain blood vessels, circulation, and overall heart function.[*] 

One amino acid steals the show: glycine.

👑 GLYCINE: QUEEN OF BETTER HEART HEALTH

Glycine is the most abundant amino acid in collagen, so it’s also the most researched. Scientists say it plays a role in calming inflammation, supporting the inner lining of your blood vessels, and protecting against oxidative stress, aka the cellular wear and tear that can speed up aging.[*][*][*]

People with higher glycine levels tend to show better cardiovascular outcomes overall. Unfortunately, we may not produce enough glycine on our own as we age to keep up with our body’s demands, which may help explain why using collagen for heart health has become so popular.[*]

Helpful? Yes. The whole solution? Not on its own.

🩵 HOW TO IMPROVE HEART HEALTH NATURALLY THIS WINTER

These five winter wellness habits are meant to fit into real life and become the kind of routines that feel natural, repeatable, and easy to stick with all season.

1. SPEND LESS TIME SITTING

Winter has a way of turning us into professional sitters and human hibernators. Couch. Desk. Car. Repeat. But even small bursts of movement help support circulation and cardiovascular wellness.[*]

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week.[*] Think bundled-up walks, a short yoga flow, a quick bodyweight YouTube workout, or even dancing around your kitchen while the kettle boils.

💃 If it gets you moving and doesn’t feel miserable, you’re doing it right.

2. STAY WARM ON PURPOSE

Yes, this one sounds obvious, but staying warm helps your body relax, taking unnecessary strain off your system and making everything feel a little easier in winter.

A few cozy moves we swear by:

Always layer your clothes. Trapping warm air between layers is one of the simplest ways to hold onto body heat without cranking the thermostat or becoming a winter hermit. Think functional and stylish.

Turn warm drinks into a winter ritual. Hot beverages make it easier to stay hydrated and take the edge off winter chill. Bonus points if you actually slow down and enjoy the moment.

💭 Need ideas? Save our list of 15 Warm, Nourishing Collagen Drinks to sip all season.

Say yes to warm baths. A good soak supports better mental health, deeper sleep, and lower stress levels — all things your heart appreciates more in winter.[*]

3. TRY THE DASH EATING PLAN

DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a flexible, balanced framework that helps create a heart-healthy eating plan for life.[*]

It encourages more fruits, vegetables, whole foods, and anti-inflammatory ingredients, while gently pushing ultra-processed, sugary stuff to the sidelines.

4. START COOKING WITH BONE BROTH

Cooking more meals at home is one of the most recommended tips for heart health. Using bone broth makes this habit even more supportive.

Unlike basic stock or super-processed bouillon, bone broth is one of the richest natural sources of collagen. It instantly adds more protein, minerals, and deep flavor to all your favorite recipes. 

It also fits perfectly into a heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory diet — especially during winter, when comfort foods are on heavy rotation. 

Use it to cook grains, build sauces and soups, braise hearty meats, or boost weeknight meals without changing what you eat (unless you need a few new bone broth recipes 😉).

👉 Check out our easy guide on how to incorporate bone broth into your everyday meals for some inspo.

5. PRIORITIZE REST AND STRESS RELIEF

Stress and poor sleep can both work against heart health. So create a simple wind-down routine that gives yourself permission to find more calm this season.

Here’s where a collagen-rich sleepytime drink can become your new best friend:

Glycine acts like a natural brake for your nervous system, slowing down overactive brain cells to create a sense of relaxation.[*]

It’s also been shown to help you fall asleep faster, reduce nighttime awakenings, and improve overall sleep quality.[*][*][*] Less tossing and turning, more actual rest.

Since winter wants intention (not overachievement), these simple habits done consistently beat big plans you’ll never repeat. Start with one tip and add more as it feels good.

❄️ Want more winter wellness tips? This guide is packed with cozy ideas for using collagen and bone broth all season long.

🫶 BARE BONES MAKES DAILY HEART CARE FEEL DOABLE

When nutrition feels accessible, it stops being something you should do and becomes something you actually want to do. And that’s where Bare Bones shines.

☕ Our Instant Bone Broth gives you a savory, ready-when-you-are option for mugs, meals, and cooking shortcuts.

☀️ Our Elevated Drink Mix offers a lighter, fruit-forward option when you’re craving a bit of brightness on even the bleakest winter days.

Different formats, same advantage: making collagen easy to reach for, again and again.

Bonus? Both make the best warm, nourishing drinks to keep you cozy this winter — perfect for slow mornings, early nights, and everything in between.

💖 A HEART-HEALTHY SEASON, DONE YOUR WAY

Winter isn’t just a vibe shift; it’s a stress test. Colder temps, less movement, more pressure. Your heart feels all of it. But you don’t need extremes to support it.

This season is about stacking small wins (resting without guilt!) and reaching for nourishing staples like collagen that support you instead of stressing you out.

If winter’s going to ask more of you, at least let Instant Bone Broth and Elevated Drink Mix make it easier to answer. 💕