Pterostilbene

pterostilbene

A resveratrol relative with better absorption, often paired with NMN or NR.

TypeSupplement / dietary

The grade answers: What does the human evidence support for: Sirtuin / antioxidant activity?

Grade

Limited

The grade rates evidence quality — it is not advice to take or buy.

Class: Polyphenol
Primary use: Sirtuin / antioxidant activity
Evidence strength: low
Last reviewed: 2026-07-01

Bottom line

More bioavailable than resveratrol on paper, but with far less human data of its own. Frequently bundled with NAD⁺ precursors on theory, not on outcome evidence.

What the evidence says

Pterostilbene is a methylated analogue of resveratrol found in blueberries, with better oral bioavailability and a longer half-life — which is often used to argue it's 'resveratrol done right'. The problem is that improved pharmacokinetics haven't been matched by a comparable body of human outcome trials; the clinical evidence is small and mixed (some effect on cholesterol and blood pressure, with a possible LDL-raising signal at higher doses). It's commonly sold combined with NR/NMN based on mechanism rather than proven synergy. Grade C: better absorption, thin human proof.

Key studies

[1]
Pterostilbene human trial (blood pressure, lipids) · RCT
Some cardiovascular-marker effects; possible LDL rise at higher dose.
Open on PubMed ↗
[2]
Pterostilbene vs resveratrol bioavailability · pharmacokinetic
Better absorbed and longer-lasting than resveratrol.
Open on PubMed ↗
[3]
Pterostilbene pharmacology (review) · review
Mechanistic case; limited outcome data.
Open on PubMed ↗

See all studies on PubMed ↗

Scoped PubMed search, not a curated bibliography: the individual PMIDs for this entry have not yet been verified one by one. For that reason it is not used to support a high grade and is awaiting review.

Mechanism

Proposed SIRT1 activation and antioxidant effects similar to resveratrol, with greater metabolic stability and cell membrane permeability.

Safety

Limited long-term human safety data; some trials noted increases in LDL cholesterol at higher doses, so it isn't automatically benign. Generally well tolerated short-term.

Dosage context

Human trials have used roughly 50–125 mg/day. Optimal dose and any real benefit of NMN/NR co-formulation are not established by outcome data.

Examples of application

Taken ~50–125 mg/day, often bundled with NMN/NR.
Watched for a possible LDL rise at higher doses.
Better absorbed than resveratrol, but with far less human data.

From the field

Pterostilbene is 'resveratrol with better PK' — which fixes the absorption complaint without supplying the missing human outcomes. We grade it C and note the LDL signal the bundled products rarely mention.

Related molecules

ResveratrolC NMNB

Follow this entry

We'll tell you if the grade for Pterostilbene changes.

One review a week: new evidence, grade changes and what was updated. No hype, no promotions disguised as news.

How we assign grades → Method