The overwhelming evidence from various studies and independent sources would say that collagen is very important. In fact, many Vegans are more aware than most non-Vegans of the role that collagen plays in a healthy bone structure — it's more about collagen than calcium.
As found in the article What Are The Benefits of Plant Collagen vs Animal Collagen?, the following provides an interesting perspective:
Collagen is that amazing substance that helps keep your body functioning in a fit and healthy way. It is also responsible for helping you maintain that glowing look to your skin where you have an incomparable radiance. There are a lot of parts of the body that require collagen to maintain optimal health, such as:
- Keeping you connective tissue and joints, including cartilage, in good heath
- Helping with tissue regeneration and the healing of wounds
- Maintaining healthy bone structure at a cellular level
- Supporting healthy eyes, particularly the sclera, the white part of the eye
- Providing a network of healthy collagen fibres in the dermis to support the normal and healthy creation of elastin
- Reducing the appearance of cellulite through supporting healthy tissue structure and reducing the presence of stubborn fats
- Improving digestive health as the gut’s connective tissue relies on collagen to function properly, and more