Inhaltsstoff-Glossar

Pterostilbene

What Is Pterostilbene?

Pterostilbene is a stilbenoid closely related to the well-known compound resveratrol and exhibits comparable beneficial effects on the human body. Due to subtle structural differences, however, the bioavailability of pterostilbene is approximately four times higher than that of resveratrol. For this reason, pterostilbene is sometimes referred to as the "better resveratrol."

Where Does Pterostilbene Naturally Occur?

Pterostilbene occurs naturally in various foods, including almonds, grapes, and blueberries, where it is the primary antioxidant. Plants produce this compound in response to attacks by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Pterostilbene is found predominantly in the skin or peel of plants and possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that help defend the plant against pathogens.

What Is the Primary Function of Pterostilbene in the Body?

Stilbenes such as pterostilbene are produced exclusively by plants. The only known exception is a stilbene synthesized by a specific bacterial species. Humans consume these compounds through their diet, and it is assumed that this is how stilbenes exert their biological effects within the body.

Numerous studies using both in vitro and in vivo models indicate that the antioxidant properties of pterostilbene may contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

For example, blueberry extracts containing pterostilbene have been shown in experimental studies to inhibit the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer, and even to protect the offspring of mice from developing cancer. Several studies have also demonstrated cardioprotective effects of pterostilbene-rich blueberries, suggesting that their enhanced antioxidant capacity may help reduce the progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the blood glucose-lowering effects observed with blueberries are believed to be largely attributable to pterostilbene, which has reduced average blood glucose levels by more than 50% and substantially lowered the blood marker HbA1c in experimental studies.

Benefits

May be absorbed more efficiently than resveratrol
May reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species
May help prevent oxidative stress

What Are the Benefits of Pterostilbene Supplementation?

Pterostilbene is of particular interest because it exhibits biological effects similar to those of resveratrol while being absorbed much more efficiently by the body. It demonstrates comparable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, yet its bioavailability is approximately four times higher than that of other stilbenes such as resveratrol.

Preclinical studies suggest that pterostilbene may reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species while simultaneously increasing the availability of endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione. In this way, supplementation may help maintain the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity, thereby preventing oxidative stress and potentially reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.

At the same time, pterostilbene exerts numerous additional—and in some cases highly complex—biological effects that may help prevent chronic diseases. For example, in laboratory studies involving cancer cells, pterostilbene induced programmed cell death (apoptosis). In contrast, in studies of atherosclerosis, it prevented the programmed death of vascular cells, thereby helping to inhibit plaque formation.

The key question remains whether these laboratory findings can be translated into meaningful clinical effects in humans. In one study involving participants with elevated blood lipid levels, treatment with pure pterostilbene unexpectedly increased LDL cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing HDL cholesterol concentrations.

Resveratrol has been recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2007. More recently, several clinical studies have also suggested that pterostilbene is safe at daily doses of up to 250 mg.