Is Squid High in Collagen? The Marine Protein Source

January 14, 2026 •

6 min read

Research reveals that squid, commonly known for its culinary uses, actually contains a substantial amount of collagen, specifically within its skin. This places squid as an increasingly important source of marine collagen, which has implications for various health benefits. This article dives into the specifics of squid collagen and compares it to other popular options.

Quick Summary

Squid provides Type I collagen, particularly in the skin and connective tissues, making it a viable marine option. Research suggests its collagen has favorable biological properties, positioning it as an alternative to land-based sources. The collagen extracted from squid is examined for its potential in biomaterials and associated health advantages.

Key Points

High in Marine Collagen: Squid contains a significant amount of collagen, specifically Type I, concentrated primarily in its skin and connective tissues like the mantle.
Sustainable Source: Sourcing collagen from squid byproducts, often discarded during seafood processing, offers a more sustainable, environmentally friendly option compared to land-animal sources.
Bioavailability and Benefits: Similar to fish collagen, squid collagen is highly bioavailable, and its peptides are being researched for potential benefits to skin, joints, and antioxidant activity.
Biomedical Applications: Research has explored the use of squid-derived collagen in advanced applications such as 3D cell cultures for biomedical and pharmaceutical purposes.
Dietary Context: While a source of collagen-supporting amino acids, incorporating squid into a balanced diet is more beneficial than relying on it as a sole source for collagen-related benefits.
Allergy Caution: Those with seafood allergies should avoid squid collagen and supplements from marine organisms.

Squid: An Excellent Source of Marine Collagen

Squid is a rich source of protein, with collagen being present in significant amounts in the skin. Research indicates that a considerable portion of squid byproducts, such as the skin and mantle, is collagen. This categorizes squid as a valuable marine collagen source, alongside options like fish and jellyfish. The collagen found in squid is mainly Type I, the most prevalent type in the human body, vital for the structure of skin, bones, tendons, and other connective tissues.

The Composition of Squid Collagen

Unlike traditional sources such as bovine or porcine products, squid collagen comes from an aquatic environment and is distinguished by its specific composition. Research shows that collagen extracted from the skin and mantle of squid exhibits properties similar to other Type I collagens. This makes it a potential alternative for individuals with certain dietary restrictions, such as those who do not consume red meat or pork for cultural, religious, or health reasons. Moreover, the use of squid byproducts for collagen extraction offers an environmentally friendly way to create a value-added product from what would otherwise be considered waste.

Amino Acid Profile: Squid collagen is rich in key amino acids such as glycine, proline, and arginine, essential for forming the collagen triple helix structure.
Thermal Stability: Squid collagen has a lower denaturation temperature than mammalian collagen, which is typical of marine sources adapted to colder environments.
Byproduct Utilization: Studies focus on extracting collagen from squid skins and other processing wastes, turning low-value byproducts into high-value biomaterials.

Potential Uses and Health Benefits

Beyond its fundamental nutritional value as an amino acid source, squid collagen has been studied for numerous potential applications in both biomedicine and nutrition. Research has explored its use in areas such as 3D cell culture systems for biomedical research, suggesting that its functional properties mimic those of more common collagen sources. Like other marine collagens, benefits can include support for skin health, joint function, and antioxidant activity.

Cosmetics and Biomedical Materials: Due to its structural properties and biocompatibility, squid collagen is being researched for applications in cosmetics, such as anti-aging products, and in biomaterials for tissue engineering.
Antioxidant Properties: Some studies on squid collagen hydrolysates (broken-down collagen peptides) have shown potential antioxidant activity, which helps protect cells from damage.
Sustainable Sourcing: The sourcing of collagen from marine processing waste provides a sustainable alternative, reducing environmental impact and promoting a more circular economy in the seafood industry.

Comparing Squid Collagen to Other Marine Sources

Although squid is a promising source, it's essential to compare it to other readily available marine collagens, such as those derived from fish. Fish collagen, often sourced from the skin, bones, and scales of cod or tilapia, is widely available and has strong scientific backing for its benefits, including high bioavailability. However, squid collagen provides a unique option, particularly in terms of sustainability, by utilizing processing byproducts. The specific properties, such as thermal stability, can vary between species and extraction methods.


Feature	Squid Collagen	Fish Collagen	Bovine Collagen	Porcine Collagen
Primary Type	Type I	Predominantly Type I	Type I & III	Type I & III
Source	Skin, mantle, tentacles from marine processing waste	Skins, bones, scales of various fish (e.g., cod, tilapia)	Cowhides and bones	Pig skin and bones
Bioavailability	Good; smaller peptides are easily absorbed	High; reported to be 1.5x more bioavailable than bovine/porcine	Lower absorption due to larger molecule size	Lower absorption due to larger molecule size
Extraction	Often uses enzymatic or hot water extraction of byproducts	Hydrolysis process to create peptides	Acid/alkali treatment of hides and bones	Similar to bovine methods
Religious/Dietary	Pescatarian-friendly, Halal, Kosher	Pescatarian-friendly, Halal, Kosher	Not suitable for some dietary needs	Not suitable for some dietary needs

The Role of Collagen in Your Diet

While consuming whole food sources of collagen, such as squid, provides the amino acids necessary for your body's natural collagen production, it is important to remember that the body breaks down protein into amino acids during digestion. Therefore, eating foods rich in collagen does not guarantee that the body will use those specific amino acids to build new collagen. The amino acids are used wherever they are most needed. A healthy diet, rich in various proteins and cofactors like Vitamin C, zinc, and copper, provides the best foundation for supporting your body's natural collagen synthesis.

Conclusion

Squid is a high-collagen marine source, particularly concentrated in its skin and connective tissues, and contains Type I collagen. This positions it as a compelling alternative to more traditional animal-based sources. While consuming it as a whole food provides valuable amino acids and other nutrients, extracted squid collagen is also being explored for a range of biomedical and cosmetic applications. For those seeking marine-based collagen, squid offers a sustainable and viable option, contributing to both a healthy diet and efficient utilization of marine resources.

For further reading on the potential of marine byproducts, explore research published in journals like Marine Drugs or those found on the National Institutes of Health website.

Is Squid a Reliable High-Collagen Source?

Is it possible to get enough collagen by just eating squid?

While squid is a good source of amino acids that support collagen production, relying on it alone for a significant collagen boost is not a practical strategy. A balanced diet with various protein sources, along with key vitamins and minerals, is the most effective approach for supporting your body's natural collagen synthesis.

What part of the squid contains the highest concentration of collagen?

Research indicates that the highest concentration of collagen in squid is found in its skin and connective tissues, such as the mantle and tentacles. These parts are often utilized in industrial extraction processes to create marine collagen products.

Is squid collagen the same as fish collagen?

Squid collagen and fish collagen are both marine-based and predominantly Type I. However, there can be differences in their amino acid profiles, thermal stability, and extraction efficiency depending on the specific species and extraction method used. Squid collagen also has a distinct, though often lower, bioavailability than fish collagen.

Is marine collagen superior to bovine collagen?

Marine collagen, including squid, is often considered more bioavailable (more easily absorbed by the body) than bovine collagen due to its smaller particle size. It is also pescatarian-friendly and not subject to the same disease risks as some terrestrial animal sources. However, more research is needed to confirm the direct superiority of one type over the other for specific health outcomes.

Does cooking squid affect its collagen content?

Cooking squid will not destroy the collagen but will likely denature the protein, breaking it down into gelatin and smaller peptides. This process can actually make the protein easier for the body to digest and absorb, similar to how collagen supplements are processed.

Can squid collagen help with skin health?

As a source of the amino acids used to build Type I collagen, consuming squid can support overall skin health and elasticity. However, like all protein sources, the body distributes the amino acids where they are most needed, so there's no guarantee the effects will be directed solely toward skin.

Is there a risk of allergies with squid collagen?

Yes, individuals with shellfish or seafood allergies should avoid squid collagen and supplements derived from marine sources. It is important to check the product's origin if you have any food sensitivities.

Is squid ink high in collagen?

Squid ink is not particularly noted for its collagen content. It is a source of pigments, enzymes, and other bioactive compounds, but it is not a significant source of the structural protein collagen.

How is squid collagen used in supplements?

Squid collagen in supplements is typically hydrolyzed into smaller peptides for better absorption. The collagen is extracted, processed, and then dried into a powder or formulated into pills or drinks.

What is the primary use of squid collagen in industry?

In industry, squid collagen is used to develop biomaterials, cosmetics, and as a nutraceutical ingredient due to its unique properties. Its use from processing waste also offers a sustainable advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you eat squid, the body breaks down protein, including collagen, into amino acids. These amino acids are distributed where the body needs them most, not necessarily directed to the skin or joints specifically. It's a valuable protein source for general health, but direct cosmetic effects are not guaranteed.

Marine collagen from sources like squid typically has a smaller particle size than bovine collagen, potentially leading to higher bioavailability and more efficient absorption by the body. Squid collagen is also suitable for those who avoid red meat for dietary, religious, or health reasons.

Yes, squid byproducts, particularly the skin, are used to extract collagen for supplements. This is gaining attention as a sustainable method of producing high-value marine collagen.

Yes, utilizing the skin and other discarded parts of the squid from seafood processing reduces waste and promotes a circular economy. It turns a low-value byproduct into a useful, high-value material.

The collagen found in squid is primarily Type I, which is the most abundant type in the human body, providing structure to skin, bones, and tendons. Type II collagen is typically associated with cartilage and sourced differently, often from chicken sternum.

Squid collagen, like other marine collagens, is considered to have good bioavailability due to its smaller, more easily absorbed peptides after hydrolysis. This makes it an efficient source for the body to utilize the amino acid building blocks.

While fried calamari (squid) does contain the raw amino acids from its collagen, the deep-frying process adds unhealthy fats and calories, potentially negating some of the health benefits. Healthier preparations of squid are best to maximize nutritional rewards.

Squid collagen is studied for its potential roles in skin health, joint function, and antioxidant activities, supporting general well-being.

Squid collagen is often extracted from the skin and other byproducts of the squid using enzymatic or hot water extraction methods. This process helps to isolate the collagen proteins, making them available for use in supplements and other applications.