Many people believe grapes, blueberries, and other berries have various health benefits for our bodies. However, you may not be familiar with the unique pterostilbene molecule found in these fruits.
What are some of the health benefits found in pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene is a unique molecule, which is gaining a lot of attention today. Besides, its chemical structure is similar to the common antioxidant resveratrol. However, research shows that pterostilbene has powerful effects on humans and animals.
Although resveratrol boosts heart and brain health, balanced blood sugar, and a healthy immune system, pterostilbene does it effectively with more absorption rate.
What is Pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene is a plant chemical (phytochemical) produced to respond to infections and injuries. Moreover, studies show that the chemical is therapeutic and has medicinal benefits for humans.
Also, the chemical supports cognition and memory, graceful aging, moods, normal blood sugar, and a healthy weight.
Resveratrol has hydroxyl groups, while pterostilbene has two methoxy groups (CH3 or methyl bonded to oxygen). The methoxy groups make it easier for the molecule to flow across membranes making it more absorbable.
What are the Benefits of Pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene is recently becoming a leading player in preventing cancer, heart health, memory boosting, anti-aging, and overall health.
Here are some of the pterostilbene benefits, and you should consider including them in your regular diet.
May Help Prevent Cancer
There have been various studies on pterostilbene and its effect on cancer. Research shows that the molecule may offer anti-cancer benefits to humans.
Moreover, various studies revealed that due to the antioxidants and antineoplastic properties found on pterostilbene, it helps act as a natural anticancer agent. Antineoplastic helps in preventing the growth of a tumor or neoplasm.
Pterostilbene consumption aids in the better function of normal cells and the inhibition of malignant cells. It prevents cancer growth by altering malignant cell cycles, inducing apoptosis (cell death), and inhibiting tumorigenesis and metastasis, among other things.
Additionally, various research on plants and animals has indicated that pterostilbene can effectively treat and prevent breast cancer.
Experiments using blueberry juice and velvetleaf blueberry extract revealed that blueberry has an inhibitory effect on breast cancer cell lines due to certain chemical components that alter carcinogenic pathways.
There’s some indication that pterostilbene can help block cytochrome P450, an enzyme that activates a variety of substances called “procarcinogens,” which make carcinogens more deadly.
Pterostilbene Promotes Healthy Aging
Aging has been one of the reasons why most researchers developed an interest in pterostilbene.
Trans-pterostilbene is a bioactive molecule that helps with irritation relief, cognitive health, and regulating blood sugar levels.
According to research on fasting and calorie restrictions, pterostilbene has similar substantial health effects that help to age.
Additionally, calorie restriction and pterostilbene cause the body to produce adiponectin, which helps with fatty acid and blood sugar regulation.
Another benefit of pterostilbene is protecting the DNA strands by supporting the telomeres (the protective caps at the end of the DNA strand). Naturally, as you age, the telomeres will start to break down.
The pterostilbene helps in strengthening the enzymes that aid in protecting your telomeres. Therefore, consuming pterostilbene is beneficial and can help your body with natural anti-aging abilities.
Boosts Heart Health
According to the ancient Chinese and Indians, pterostilbene was used pterostilbene to prevent heart diseases. And according to recent studies, researchers have found sufficient evidence to back up the ancient use of the molecule.
Consumption of pterostilbene will help regulate platelets aggregation and high-density lipoproteins ( HDL or “good cholesterol”) that will protect your cardiovascular health.
Pterostilbene helps stimulate the creation of a chemical binding to PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated) receptors. PPAR maintains healthy lipid (fat) triglycerides and cholesterol levels in the blood.
One study on animal models indicated that pterostilbene helps in maintaining normal triglycerides.
All of these advantages contribute to a heart that is healthier and happy.
Supports Normal Weight
Pterostilbene aids in weight management by ensuring a healthy metabolism. Pterostilbene supplementation reduces adipose (fat) tissue by 15% and enhances fat burning in rats fed a fattening diet, highlighting pterostilbene’s potential for encouraging a healthy body weight.
Researchers fed rats that had developed insulin resistance due to a high-fat diet with pterostilbene supplements. This pill helps the rats to maintain normal blood sugar and insulin levels over time. Normal weight is promoted by having regulated blood sugar, but weight gain is promoted by having uncontrolled blood sugar fluctuations.
Supports Cognitive Health
Blueberries are an excellent source of beneficial antioxidants that can improve cognition and memory.
Although more research is needed to prove its effects, there is an indication that pterostilbene supplements can also help with symptoms such as anxiety, learning difficulties, memory lapses, and brain fog.
Pterostilbene and other similar substances help shield against neurological problems like Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal death, reduced brain volume, cerebral damage, and brain damage by preventing oxidative stress in the brain (swelling).
Reduces the Effects of Oxidative Stress
Pterostilbene has anti-inflammatory characteristics; it reduces oxidative stress and lowers the generation of reactive oxygen species. Hence, it prevents the development of many chronic diseases.
In animal experiments, pterostilbene treatment boosts the expression of the antioxidants catalase, total glutathione, and superoxide dismutase.
Pterostilbene Dose
How much should you take if you opt to use pterostilbene as a supplement? The dosage is determined by your body weight and the major reason for using it. Low pterostilbene dosages in supplement form (extract, powder) are beneficial in the fight against oxidative stress and disease.
According to human studies, Pterostilbene dosages of 200-700 milligrams or fewer are commonly used. Low doses of 10 milligrams may have some benefits, but doses above 200 milligrams appear to have the greatest impact.
Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you should take the following pterostilbene dosage based on your body weight:
Take 215–430 mg per day if you weigh less than or equal to 150 pounds.
Take 290–580 mg per day if you weigh around 200 pounds.
If you weigh more than 250 pounds, take 365–730 milligrams each day.
The powerful health-promoting effects of pterostilbene have been highlighted in recent research. Pterostilbene is a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy aging, weight management, cognition, and heart health. It may also promote a positive attitude.
