Collagen protein drinks: 20g of protein in 63ml, no mixing
A collagen protein drink is hydrolysed collagen already dissolved in liquid, so you get a full serving of protein without a shaker, a scoop or a fridge. KUDU's version is a 63ml ready-to-drink sachet with 20g of hydrolysed bovine collagen protein, 85 calories, 0g sugar and 0g fat. That is the protein of a standard ready-to-drink shake in roughly a fifth of the volume and about half the calories, and it is Informed Sport certified and made in the UK. Not beauty collagen. Performance collagen.
What is in a KUDU collagen protein drink
- 20g protein from hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides (type I and III) per 63ml sachet
- 85 kcal, 0g sugar, 0g fat, 8g carbohydrate
- Ready to drink: tear the corner and finish it in two sips; no water, no shaker, no refrigeration needed
- Informed Sport certified: every batch is tested for banned substances
- Dairy free and gluten free, so no whey, no lactose. Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans
- Four flavours: Sour Cherry, Peach, Orange, Strawberry & Vanilla. The Sampler Box has all four for Β£12
- Box of 14 Β£34.95: Β£2.50 a drink one-time, from Β£1.99 on subscription
- Made in the UK. 4.8 stars from 480+ verified reviews. 60-day money-back guarantee. Sold at Boots, WHSmith and Amazon UK
Collagen protein drink vs protein shake vs protein bar
| Per serving | KUDU collagen drink | Ready-to-drink protein shake | Protein bar |
|---|
| Serving size | 63ml | ~330ml | One bar |
| Protein | 20g | ~20β25g | Varies by bar |
| Calories | 85 kcal | ~150β200 kcal | ~200 kcal |
| Sugar | 0g | Varies | Varies |
| Protein type | Collagen (type I and III) | Usually milk protein | Usually milk or soy protein |
| Dairy | Dairy free | Usually contains milk | Often contains milk |
| Preparation | Tear, drink | Open, drink | Unwrap, eat |
The honest summary: a shake or bar gives you a complete protein that builds muscle on its own; a collagen drink gives you a smaller, lighter dose of a protein that supports tendon, ligament, skin and bone. They are different tools. If your goal is a low-calorie protein top-up that also supports connective tissue, the collagen drink wins on calories and volume. If you are trying to hit a muscle-building protein target from scratch, use both. The detail is in collagen vs whey protein and the best protein sources for muscle recovery.
Collagen is not a complete protein, so pair it
Collagen is low in one essential amino acid, tryptophan, and relatively low in leucine, the amino acid that triggers muscle protein synthesis. That is why a collagen drink should sit alongside your normal protein rather than replace it. Paul 2019 concluded that collagen can safely make up around 36% of daily protein intake as part of a varied diet. In practice: keep meat, fish, eggs, dairy or pulses at meals, and use the collagen drink as your connective-tissue dose and calorie-light top-up. If you want the amino-acid comparison spelled out, read collagen vs whey.
Who collagen protein drinks are for
People who will not mix powder
Powder needs a shaker, water and a sink afterwards, and most tubs end up half-finished. A sachet lives in a bag, a desk drawer or a car door and takes ten seconds. The trials that showed results ran for 8 to 24 weeks of daily use, so the format you actually keep taking is the one that works. See liquid vs powder collagen.
On the go, travelling or at the desk
No refrigeration, no measuring, 63ml through airport security. One sachet gives 20g of protein for 85 calories, which is useful on a long day when the alternative is a 200-calorie bar with a sugar hit.
Pre- and post-training
Shaw 2017 gave 15g of gelatin with vitamin C about an hour before exercise and saw collagen synthesis markers roughly double; Lee 2023 found more collagen produced more. Aussieker 2023 found no increase in connective-tissue synthesis after exercise in that trial, so regard this as promising rather than proven. Clifford 2019 used 20g a day for nine days around muscle-damaging exercise and measured soreness. A sachet 30 to 60 minutes before a session is the simplest way to copy the studied timing. More in how collagen aids recovery and the best time to take collagen.
Low-calorie protein top-up
Anyone managing weight, or anyone over 40 finding it harder to hit a protein target without eating more, gets 20g for 85 calories. Zdzieblik 2015, Kirmse 2019 and Jendricke 2019 combined 15g of collagen a day with 12 weeks of resistance training and reported better body-composition and strength outcomes than training alone.
How to take a collagen protein drink
- One sachet a day. Straight from the pouch, chilled if you can. No mixing.
- Training days: 30 to 60 minutes before your session, ideally with vitamin C from fruit or the Collagen + Creatine sachet, which includes it.
- As a top-up, not a replacement: keep a complete protein at meals; use the drink to close the gap and cover connective tissue. Reference: how much collagen per day.
- Give it 8 to 12 weeks and subscribe to make it automatic: from Β£1.99 a sachet, pause, skip or cancel in two clicks. Timeline in how long collagen takes to work.
Collagen protein drink guides
Collagen protein drink FAQs
Is a collagen drink a protein drink?
Yes. Collagen is a protein, and a KUDU sachet contains 20g of it. It is not a complete protein, so it should add to your daily protein rather than replace all of it.
Can a collagen drink replace my protein shake?
Not entirely. A whey or milk-protein shake is better for muscle building because it is higher in leucine. A collagen drink is the better choice for tendons, ligaments and skin, and for a low-calorie protein top-up. Many people take both.
How many calories are in a collagen protein drink?
A KUDU sachet has 85 calories, with 0g sugar and 0g fat. A typical ready-to-drink protein shake is around 150 to 200 calories and a protein bar around 200.
Does it need refrigerating?
No. Sachets are shelf stable and travel anywhere. Most people prefer them chilled, but it is not required.
Is it dairy free?
Yes. KUDU is dairy free and gluten free, with no whey or lactose. It is made from bovine collagen, so it is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Can I drink it while fasting?
Strictly speaking, 85 calories and 20g of protein will break a fast. If you fast for a specific reason, take the sachet inside your eating window. Read does collagen break a fast. Browse the range on the liquid collagen collection.
