When it comes to natural compounds prized for their potential health benefits, resveratrol and pterostilbene are high on the list. But what exactly are the differences between the two, and which would be the best choice for you? Let's look at the pros and cons of both supplements.
What is resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in red wine, grapes, peanuts and berries. One of the benefits of resveratrol is that there is extensive research available on its potential health benefits. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and possibly even anti-cancer properties.
What is pterostilbene?
Pterostilbene is a related substance to resveratrol that occurs naturally in blueberries, grapes and cranberries. An important advantage of pterostilbene is that it has better absorption and higher bioavailability than resveratrol. In fact, studies suggest that pterostilbene stays in the body longer than resveratrol, meaning you don't need to take supplements as often for the same effects.
Let's get technical for a moment. The improved absorption of pterostilbene is attributed to the fact that it has multiple methyl groups compared to resveratrol. In fact, the substances have an identical effect, because the methyl groups do not influence the mechanism of action. The methyl groups provide important advantages: they make the molecule more soluble in fat and water, making it easier to absorb through the intestinal wall and transported into the bloodstream.
Another advantage of having multiple methyl groups is that they replenish the body's 'methyl pool'. Methyl groups are essential for several biochemical processes in the body, including the processing of NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), a compound used to produce NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), an important coenzyme in cellular energy production and DNA repair.
We already knew that taking resveratrol and NMN together can lead to a synergistic effect, but pterostilbene also provides the opportunity to directly replenish the used methyl groups! The only disadvantage to pterostilbene compared to resveratrol is that most studies have been conducted with resveratrol, but given that they are so similar, scientists expect minimal difference in the results.
Conclusion:
Although resveratrol and pterostilbene are both valuable natural substances with potentially beneficial health effects, pterostilbene offers some unique benefits, including better absorption and longer bioavailability. Additionally, pterostilbene's ability to replenish the body's methyl pool may make it an ideal addition to NMN supplementation. On the other hand, most studies have been done with resveratrol, which means there is more certainty and consensus, even though the substances are very similar. Consider these factors when choosing the right supplement for your needs and health goals.