Okay, you're in for some cold, hard truth: You can't put a stop to aging. But what you can do? You can age like a fine wine. Enter collagen, the structural protein that's your body's secret weapon to maintaining strong bones, flexible joints, and avoiding that ‘prune’ look before your time.

Think of collagen as the scaffolding of the body, helping to hold everything together. From bone broths to leafy greens, there's a smorgasbord of nutrient-rich foods out there that can boost your body's own collagen-production. You don't even need to limp defeatedly to the supplement aisle.

We've all heard about bone broths, but simmering roasted bones (think chicken, beef, turkey, pork – take your pick) for a few hours may not just be a food fad. Research shows collagen amounts in these broths range from 17.9% to 20.4%. Plus, you get to be your own master chef, controlling sodium and additives.

Are you more into surf than turf? From sardines to salmon, the protein-packed, omega-3 rich world of fish is another avenue to explore for upping those collagen levels. Not just the flesh, the skin, bones, and scales of fish are teeming with collagen. Shellfish also join the party by packing zinc, a must-have mineral for collagen production.

Skin-on poultry and bone-in meat are also good contenders. Don’t chicken out, because breaking down collagen rich parts like chicken feet and thighs can be truly rewarding. Poultry brings the added bonus of being high in protein, a precursor to collagen synthesis.

Offal, our misunderstood friend, is also stashed with collagen. From liver to kidney, these organ meats serve up protein galore and thus help in natural collagen production.

So, what about the herbivores among us? Fear not, Mother Nature’s got your back. Yes, plant-based foods don't contain collagen. But they do have the necessary amino-acid building blocks and vitamins to get your body cranking out collagen. Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, black beans and soy are excellent proteins sources that also gift your body minerals like zinc and iron.

Speaking of plants, leafy greens and citrus fruits are brimming with both amino-acids and Vitamin C – both essential for collagen factories (that's your body, by the way). Even berries are jampacked with Vitamin C and antioxidants and they're also a delight for your taste buds.

And then, there's the sea of supplements out there. While they can ensure you're getting the desired collagen amount, it's usually best to obtain nutrients directly from food. But hey, it's your body, and you are the boss. So, run these by your healthcare provider if you're interested in supplement supplements.

In the end, whether it's through collagen-laden foods or handy supplements, keeping your collagen levels up is the name of the game. So eat, drink, and be flexible! We promise it doesn't involve dying trying.