Stilbenes

Plants contain compounds called phytochemicals that may be beneficial for your health. Stilbenes are a sub-group of phytochemicals called polyphenols. They're not as abundant in foods as flavonoids, lignans or phenolic acids, the other groups of polyphenols. Resveratrol and pterostilbene are two stilbenes that can be found in small amounts in some of the foods you eat.

Resveratrol is found in grape skins, red wine, peanuts, blueberries and cranberries. Observational studies show people who drink red wine also have lower risks of cardiovascular disease; however, it isn't known how much of that effect is due to resveratrol. Laboratory studies show that resveratrol acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in lab animals, but there is very little information on resveratrol use in humans, or how much would be needed to show health benefits. However, it appears that the amount will be too high to achieve with dietary sources alone.

Pterostilbene is found in blueberries and grapes. It's an antioxidant that has shown promise for the treatment and prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, but only in lab animals. Currently, there aren't any studies in humans.

_Sources:

_{Borriello A, Cucciolla V, Della Ragione F, Galletti P. "Dietary polyphenols: focus on resveratrol, a promising agent in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and control of glucose homeostasis." Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2010 Oct;20(8):618-25.}

_{Gresele P, Cerletti C, Guglielmini G, Pignatelli P, de Gaetano G, Violi F. "Effects of resveratrol and other wine polyphenols on vascular function: an update." J Nutr Biochem. 2011 Mar;22(3):201-11.}

_{Manach C, Scalbert A, Morand C, Rémésy C, Jiménez L. "Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability." Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 May;79(5):727-47. United States Department of Agriculture. "Pterostilbene's healthy potential." Accessed June 30, 2011. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov06/health1106.htm.}