Can pancakes REALLY plump up your skin?

A chocolate pancake that promises you a radiant complexion? Don’t be so absurd!

But that’s the claim of one of the new generation of “foods” that apparently come with baked-in health or beauty benefits.

In the case of the pancake, it is skin-strengthening collagen. But other foods contain herbs, vitamins or proteins that are specially added to give you bouncy hair or better nails, combat insomnia or improve your mood. Or that’s what they say.

While the trend forecasters predict an explosion of “absorbable beauty” products, we put them to the test. . .

GLOWING SKIN PANCAKES

Myvitamins Collagen Pancakes (£1.99 for 45g, lookfantastic.com)

Enjoying chocolate pancakes for breakfast without the guilt is a revelation. Low in sugar, but high in collagen (20g per serving) and protein (25g), the pancakes are easy to make – just add milk or water and fry with a little coconut oil.

While they are a bit flat in texture, they are definitely more. The formula promises to boost declining levels of collagen, the essential protein we need for wrinkle-free, glowing skin and strong nails.

The results are subtle, although my skin looks a little brighter after eating breakfast for a week.

HAIR STRENGTHENING HERBS MIX

Mauli Rituals Brain & Beauty Alchemy (£39 for 100g, maulirituals.com)

Adaptogens (a blend of active ingredients found in certain plants and mushrooms that can affect how your body deals with stress, anxiety, and fatigue) have been prescribed by Ayurvedic practitioners for hundreds of years.

Rooted in these Ayurvedic principles, Mauli Ritual’s organic herbal blend is said to clear foggy spirits, promote better sleep, and fight dull skin and brittle hair.

It’s all thanks to a list of natural ingredients, including an Indian gooseberry that contains 20 times the vitamin C of an orange; potassium and folate rich fennel; and the bibhitaki fruit, from an Indian “medicinal tree,” is said to boost the immune system.

It can be sprinkled on salads, but its slightly bitter taste is best digested when added to a teaspoon of honey.

Although there was no immediate change in sleep quality, after a few weeks I did feel less tired at the end of the day.

SKIN SOOTHING HOT CHOCOLATE

Chollagen (£32 for 411g for members, beautypie.com)

Collagen in hot chocolate is all the rage – Superdrug and Holland & Barrett versions.

This organic cocoa powder (shown below left) contains hydrolyzed marine collagen, peptides, biotin, and vitamin C — all necessary for shiny hair and glowing skin. It is versatile in use, so you can make it into a hot drink or a cold milkshake.

It’s also good to add to a cup of coffee for an uplifting mocha in the morning. Visible results apparently take months to see, so this seems to be one for the long haul — but it sure made my morning coffee feel good in a whole new way.

SLIMMING SALAD DRESSING

Ancient + Brave True MCT Oil (£29 for 500ml, ancientandbrave.earth)

It feels somewhat counterintuitive to swallow a spoonful of the oil every day in the quest for a healthy life, but this “clean” version (bottom right), made entirely from coconuts, promises to help with brain function and weight loss through the stimulate the metabolism. MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) are saturated fatty acids that are not stored by the body, but are converted into energy production. Drizzle over soups or salads (it’s tasteless); it did make me feel full longer.

FRUITY BRAIN MIST LIFTER

Patchology Little Helper Energy Strips (£9.24 for six, cultbeauty.co.uk)

With a background in medical patch technology, Patchology has developed these fruit-flavored strips packed with powerful ingredients to clear brain fog and help you get over the midday slump, says the maker.

The strips dissolve on the tongue and contain vitamin D3 and green leaf tea extract, plus 25mg of caffeine.

They certainly work fast and give me a boost of energy shortly after taking one.

PERIMENOPAUZE-PROOF YOUR MUESLI

MPowder Peri-Boost, (£43 for a 15 day supply, mpowder.store)

Designed to address the wide-ranging symptoms of perimenopause, improve skin elasticity, and combat bloating, this full-blown powder contains a cocktail of goodies, including pea protein, flaxseed, ginger root, and vitamins.

Add a spoonful to a smoothie or sprinkle over muesli. I loved the subtle berry flavor and after taking it for several weeks I noticed a marked improvement in joint pain and fatigue.