Pterostilbene
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Pterostilbene is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 730 participants, researched for Cognitive Function, Cardiovascular Health, Blood Sugar Control and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cognitive Function
ModerateCardiovascular Health
ModerateBlood Sugar Control
ModerateAntioxidant Activity
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cognitive Function
To evaluate Pterostilbene on cognitive function and neuroplasticity in aged rats
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate Pterostilbene on cognitive function and neuroplasticity in aged rats
Dose
25-50 mg/kg Pterostilbene
Participants
30 aged Fischer 344 rats
Duration
30 days dietary supplementation
Results
Pterostilbene supplementation significantly improved spatial memory performance, increased hippocampal BDNF expression, enhanced dendritic branching, and reduced hippocampal oxidative stress in aged rats.
How They Measured It
Morris water maze, object recognition, hippocampal BDNF, dendritic branching, antioxidant markers
To evaluate Pterostilbene supplementation on cognitive function and biomarkers in adults with mild cognitive impairment
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Pterostilbene supplementation on cognitive function and biomarkers in adults with mild cognitive impairment
Dose
50-100 mg Pterostilbene daily
Participants
90 adults with MCI aged 55-75
Duration
6 months
Results
Pterostilbene supplementation produced significant improvements in verbal memory and attention at 100 mg/day. BDNF levels increased and inflammatory markers decreased in the treatment groups vs placebo.
How They Measured It
MMSE, MoCA, verbal memory tests, serum BDNF, hs-CRP
Cardiovascular Health
To evaluate Pterostilbene supplementation on lipid profile and blood pressure
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Pterostilbene supplementation on lipid profile and blood pressure
Dose
50-125 mg Pterostilbene daily
Participants
80 adults with dyslipidemia
Duration
6-8 weeks
Results
Pterostilbene at 125 mg/day significantly reduced LDL cholesterol (−12.6 mg/dL), total cholesterol (−16.4 mg/dL), and blood pressure. HDL and CRP were modestly but not significantly improved. Well tolerated.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, CRP
To characterize the anti-platelet and endothelial protective mechanisms of Pterostilbene
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize the anti-platelet and endothelial protective mechanisms of Pterostilbene
Dose
5-50 μM Pterostilbene
Participants
Human platelets and HUVECs
Duration
2-24 hours
Results
Pterostilbene significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, reduced TXA2 synthesis, enhanced eNOS activity and NO production in endothelial cells, and suppressed ICAM-1 expression.
How They Measured It
Platelet aggregation, COX-1/TXA2 pathway, eNOS/NO production, ICAM-1 expression
Blood Sugar Control
To evaluate Pterostilbene supplementation on glycemic control in adults with insulin resistance
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Pterostilbene supplementation on glycemic control in adults with insulin resistance
Dose
50-100 mg Pterostilbene daily
Participants
72 adults with insulin resistance
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Pterostilbene at 100 mg/day significantly improved HOMA-IR (−21%), reduced fasting glucose (−9 mg/dL), and modestly but significantly reduced HbA1c compared to placebo. Adiponectin levels increased.
How They Measured It
HOMA-IR, fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, adiponectin
To investigate mechanisms by which Pterostilbene improves glucose metabolism
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate mechanisms by which Pterostilbene improves glucose metabolism
Dose
25-50 mg/kg Pterostilbene
Participants
24 HFD-fed mice
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Pterostilbene significantly improved glucose tolerance via AMPK activation, GLUT4 upregulation in muscle, and PTP1B inhibition to enhance insulin receptor signaling. Also reduced hepatic glucose output.
How They Measured It
AMPK activation, GLUT4 expression, PTP1B inhibition, insulin signaling cascade
Antioxidant Activity
To evaluate the bioavailability and antioxidant effects of Pterostilbene vs Resveratrol
Study Type
Randomised crossover trial
Purpose
To evaluate the bioavailability and antioxidant effects of Pterostilbene vs Resveratrol
Dose
50 mg Pterostilbene vs 50 mg Resveratrol
Participants
20 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose crossover
Results
Pterostilbene showed significantly higher bioavailability (4-fold) and longer plasma half-life than Resveratrol due to its additional methoxy groups. Antioxidant effects (reduced F2-isoprostanes, 8-OHdG) were greater with Pterostilbene.
How They Measured It
Plasma concentrations, half-life, ORAC, F2-isoprostanes, 8-OHdG
To comprehensively review the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of Pterostilbene
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To comprehensively review the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of Pterostilbene
Dose
Various formulations
Participants
Review of 50+ studies
Duration
Various
Results
Pterostilbene's superior bioavailability vs resveratrol makes it a promising candidate for cardiovascular, cognitive, metabolic, and anti-cancer applications. Clinical evidence growing but larger RCTs needed.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies
To compare the antioxidant potency of Pterostilbene vs Resveratrol in cell models
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To compare the antioxidant potency of Pterostilbene vs Resveratrol in cell models
Dose
0.1-50 μM Pterostilbene or Resveratrol
Participants
HepG2 cells under oxidative stress
Duration
24 hours
Results
Pterostilbene demonstrated equal or superior antioxidant potency vs resveratrol, with more potent Nrf2 activation, better cellular uptake, and longer duration of antioxidant protection due to enhanced metabolic stability.
How They Measured It
Intracellular ROS, lipid peroxidation, cell viability under oxidative stress, Nrf2 activation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pterostilbene research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Pterostilbene (Pterostilbene), involving 730 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Pterostilbene has been researched for: Cognitive function, Cardiovascular health, Blood sugar control, Antioxidant activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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