Quick Navigation

Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene is a dimethylated derivative of resveratrol that, for some mechanisms, is more potent. It is also much better absorbed, and is commonly referred to as a 'better resveratrol'. It looks promising, but has significantly less research than its predecessor.

Our evidence-based analysis on pterostilbene features 55 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Pterostilbene

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Pterostilbene is a methylated stilbene molecule with structural similarity to resveratrol, the only difference being two methoxy groups on the pterostilbene molecule that replace hydroxy groups on the resveratrol molecule. While most of the actions of the two are comparable, pterostilbene appears to be much more well absorbed following oral ingestion and may be a more potent antioxidant and anticancer molecule.

Only one study has evaluated pterostilbene in humans. It found an increase in LDL-cholesterol and a trend towards lower HDL levels in people with high cholesterol levels who took 100 or 250 mg per day. It was unclear if the lower dose led to a reduction in blood pressure, but the reduction in the group who took the higher dose was potent.

Guidance from the experts

Learn what supplements to take for your specific health goals with the Examine Supplement Guides.

Want a deeper look at the research? Examine Members get full access to the comprehensive research database, monthly study summaries, and the latest in-depth analysis.

Your support allows us to be 100% independent and unbiased.


How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Supplementation of pterostilbene for the purpose of aiding glucose and lipid metabolism tends to be around 20- 40mg/kg oral ingestion in rats, which is an estimated human dosage range of:

  • 215-430mg for a 150lb person

  • 290-580mg for a 200lb person

  • 365-730mg for a 250lb person

Possible anxiolytic properties of pterostilbene are seen at 1-2mg/kg in mice, which is an estimated human dose of:

  • 5.5-11mg for a 150lb person

  • 7.3-14.5mg for a 200lb person

  • 9-18mg for a 250lb person

Which is notable as 5-10mg/kg in these mice (slightly over double the dose) has failed to have the same anxiolytic effects, suggesting a bell-curve that may favor lower dosages such as is found in food consumption rather than higher dosages from supplementation.

Limited human studies have used either 50mg twice a day or 125mg twice a day, and the addition of Grape seed extract (100mg at both dosing times) with the low dose may mitigate some adverse effects on cholesterol seen with pterostilbene in isolation.

Easily stay on top of the latest nutrition research

Become an Examine Member to get access to the latest research. Get 150+ studies summarized for you across 25 different categories every month.

Members also have access to the Examine Study Database of 400+ supplements and their effects on 600+ health outcomes, as well as in-depth research analyses. Understand the whole body of nutrition and supplement evidence at a glance.

Get instant access — start your free 14-day trial

Already a Member? Click here to log in.


Human Effect Matrix

Unlocked for Examine Members

Easily stay on top of the latest nutrition research

Become an Examine Member to get access to the latest research. Get 150+ studies summarized for you across 25 different categories every month.

Members also have access to the Examine Study Database of 400+ supplements and their effects on 600+ health outcomes, as well as in-depth research analyses. Understand the whole body of nutrition and supplement evidence at a glance.

Get instant access — start your free 14-day trial

Already a Member? Click here to log in.


The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Pterostilbene has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

Full details are available to Examine Members. Not a Member? Try Examine Membership completely free for two weeks.
Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-c
Blood Pressure
Minor - See study
Pterostilbene appears to reduce blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic adults, and the addition of grape seed extract (which mitigates adverse cholesterol effects) adds to the benefits to blood pressure.
grade-c
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Minor - See study
In hypercholesterolemic adults not on cholesterol lowering medication, pterostilbene appears to reduce HDL mildly.
grade-c
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Minor - See study
An increase in LDL cholesterol has been noted with oral ingestion of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults, mitigated by grape seed extract
grade-c
Total cholesterol
Minor - See study
An increase in total cholesterol, attributable to LDL, has been seen in hypercholesterolemic adults given pterostilbene.
grade-c
Weight
Minor - See study
A slight decrease in weight has been seen in adults given pterostilbene supplementation alongside an increase in cholesterol; the two appear linked, as the addition of grape seed extract appeared to mitigate both.
grade-c
Blood glucose
- - See study
Supplementation of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults does not appear to influence blood glucose relative to control.
grade-c
Creatinine
- - See study
Supplementation of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults does not appear to influence creatinine relative to control.
grade-c
Liver Enzymes
- - See study
Supplementation of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults does not appear to influence liver enzymes (ALP, AST) relative to control.
grade-c
Triglycerides
- - See study
There do not appear to be any interactions on triglycerides in adults with normal triglyceride levels given pterostilbene supplementation.

Studies Excluded from Consideration

  • Confounded with the inclusion of other nutrients[1]

Stay on top of the latest research

To unlock the full archives of our Study Database and research analyses, become an Examine Member today.

Start your 14-day free trial

Things to Note

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Also Known As

trans-3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene, 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene

Do Not Confuse With

Resveratrol (different molecule also from grapes)

Goes Well With

Get our free 5-day course on the essentials of supplementation.

At Examine, our incentives line up with yours — getting unbiased information. That's why we don’t sell any advertising or supplements.

Join over 250,000 people who have learned about effective versus overrated supplements, tips for buying supplements, and how to combine supplements for safety and efficacy.

Click here to see all 55 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 55 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Pterostilbene.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Supplements

Articles

Health Topics

Membership Free Trial

Protein Intake Guide + Calculator

How to read a study

Company

Resources

Never miss an update!

Your email is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.