Hydrolyzed beef collagen is commonly marketed as a supplement that supports nail health, particularly by improving nail strength and reducing brittleness. The scientific evidence for its use in this context is limited but emerging. A small number of clinical studies have evaluated collagen supplementation for nail health, with some showing modest benefits. For example, a 2017 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that daily oral supplementation with bioactive collagen peptides improved nail growth rate and reduced the frequency of broken nails in a group of women over 24 weeks. However, this study was small and industry-funded, and more independent research is needed to confirm these effects.

The proposed mechanism is that hydrolyzed collagen provides amino acids and peptides that may support the body’s own collagen production, which is important for the structure of nails. However, direct evidence linking beef-derived collagen peptides to significant improvements in nail health is sparse, and most available studies involve collagen from mixed or unspecified animal sources. Overall, while there is some scientific basis for the use of hydrolyzed beef collagen to support nail health, the quality and quantity of evidence are not strong, and further rigorous research is required.