pterostilbene

Pterostilbene is an antioxidant compound that is found in colorful fruit, especially blueberries. Like resveratrol, a compund which has been identified in grapes and red wines, pterostilbene belongs to a group of compounds called phytoalexins which are produced by plants in response to stresses such as fungal infections and ultraviolet light. Pterostilbene is known to help regulate blood sugar and may help fight type-2 diabetes.

On August 24, 2004, researchers told a meeting of the American Chemical Society that Pterostilbene may help lower cholesterol, as in a lab study with rats, pterostilbene performed better than ciprofibrate, a common drug used for lowering cholesterol. The discovery may add to the blueberry's value as a nutraceutical and may lead to the development of a new drug for lowering cholesterol.

Last updated: August 25, 2004.