We Developed GO100 with the Gut in Mind – Why We Chose Collagen

When we developed GO100, we did not begin by asking how much protein a bar should contain.

We began with the gut.

Each ingredient was assessed from two perspectives: What could it contribute, and was there anything about it that might be less suitable for people with sensitive digestion?

Protein was one such consideration.

There was no particular benefit in GO100 simply containing a large amount of protein. Most people already get enough through their regular diet. But since we needed an ingredient that contributed both structure and nutrition, we wanted to choose the protein source that best suited our goal.

That is why we chose collagen.

We Wanted to Avoid the Usual Compromises

Many protein bars are made with whey, milk protein, soy, egg or concentrated plant proteins.

They can all be good sources of protein, but they were not the obvious choice for GO100.

Whey and milk protein come from dairy, and some whey products may contain residual lactose. Soy and egg are allergens that must be declared under EU rules. Concentrated plant proteins can also affect the taste, texture or overall composition in ways that did not suit the product we wanted to create.

We also had a clear goal: GO100 should be made without any of the EU’s 14 listed allergens.

This made choosing the right protein source particularly important – and more complex than it is for most other bars on the market.

Collagen allowed us to add protein without milk, soy, egg, gluten, nuts or peanuts. At the same time, collagen has a very different amino acid profile from the proteins commonly used in protein bars.

Collagen Complements Rather Than Replaces

Collagen is often described as an incomplete protein because it does not contain all the essential amino acids in the same proportions as proteins such as whey, egg or meat.

But GO100 is not intended to replace a meal or serve as your only source of protein.

A varied diet already provides complete protein from many different foods. Collagen instead contributes a different amino acid profile, particularly high levels of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.

For us, this made collagen more interesting than simply adding another conventional protein source.

Glycine Was an Important Part of the Choice

Glycine is used in several processes in the body and is involved in the formation of substances including collagen, creatine and glutathione.

The amino acid has also been studied in relation to intestinal barrier function, oxidative stress and inflammatory processes.

In animal studies, glycine has been shown to strengthen so-called tight junction proteins – the structures that help hold intestinal cells together – and to reduce inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB signalling.

Research into glycine and the gut is still developing, but collagen’s high glycine content made it particularly interesting for a product developed with the gut in mind.

For us, it was never about adding as much protein as possible.

It was about choosing the protein source that best suited the product as a whole.

A Practical Way to Add Collagen to Your Diet

When we chose collagen, our starting point was the gut. But collagen has been studied in many different areas and is perhaps best known for its association with the skin.

Several clinical studies have investigated daily intake of hydrolysed collagen and reported improvements in areas such as skin hydration and elasticity.

In many of these studies, participants received between 2.5 and 10 grams of collagen per day. One GO100 bar contains approximately 7.5 grams of hydrolysed collagen, which falls within the range often used in these studies.

For anyone who already wants to add collagen to their diet, for example with their skin in mind, GO100 offers a simple way to make collagen part of a daily routine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collagen in GO100

Why does GO100 contain collagen?

We chose collagen because it provides a different amino acid profile from conventional protein sources. It is particularly rich in glycine and also suited our goal of developing a bar without any of the EU’s 14 listed allergens.

Is collagen a complete protein?

No. Collagen lacks tryptophan and contains lower levels of several essential amino acids than proteins such as whey and egg. It therefore complements other protein sources rather than replacing them.

How is collagen different from whey protein?

Whey is a complete milk protein containing high levels of essential amino acids. Collagen contains lower levels of these amino acids but considerably more glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.

How much collagen is in one GO100 bar?

One GO100 bar contains approximately 7.5 grams of hydrolysed bovine collagen.

Can GO100 be used to supplement collagen intake?

Yes. For anyone who wants to include collagen as part of their daily diet, GO100 is a practical alternative to products such as collagen powder or capsules.

If collagen is so interesting for the gut, why do more brands not use it?

Collagen is more expensive than whey and soy protein. And because it is not classified as a complete protein, it is less suited to marketing that focuses mainly on the quantity of protein rather than protein quality from a broader perspective.

For GO100, however, it was the obvious choice.