subject: Could The Stilbenoids Be Your Answer To A Longer, Healthier Life? [print this page] The stilbenoids are a group of 2 plant based nutrients - pterostilbene and resveratrol. They have generated a lot of interest in health and fitness circles with many people claiming that these natural nutrients are the key to a longer, healthier life. But could this really be true? In this article I will be investigating these claims and taking a detailed look at these 2 stilbenoids.
1) PTEROSTILBENE:
Pterostilbene can be mainly found in blueberries and grapes. It is a powerful antioxidant which can protect your body's cells from free radicals (harmful by-products of oxygen based reactions).
Early evidence indicates that this stilbenoid may also act as an anti-inflammatory (a substance that prevents unnecessary inflammation in your body), prevent cancer (a disease where your body's cells start to grow in a rapid, out of control way) and protect you from diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels become extremely high). In addition to this, pterostilbene may reduce your heart disease risk by lowering blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that blocks your artery walls and increases your heart disease risk) and triglycerides (a type of fat that can increase your heart disease risk if blood levels become too high).
2) RESVERATROL:
Resveratrol can be sourced from grapes and wine. Red grapes contain up to 0.78 milligrams (mg) of this natural nutrient per 100 grams (g) whilst red wine contains up to 0.71 milligrams (mg) of this natural nutrient per 100 millilitres (ml).
In terms of health benefits, resveratrol has a great deal of potential. Studies have shown that it is a powerful antioxidant. Provisional research suggests that this stilbenoid may also act as an anti-inflammatory, prevent Alzheimer's disease (a mental disorder which causes problems with memory, thought and speech), prevent cancer and prevent diabetes. In addition to this, it may reduce your risk of developing heart disease by pre-venting atherosclerosis (a condition where hard plaques form in your artery walls and restrict the flow of blood) and reducing blood levels of LDL cholesterol.
SUMMARY:
There is still a lot to learn about these natural nutrients. Whilst the early signs are very promising, it is im-portant to remember that none of these health benefits have been confirmed. The stilbenoid rich foods listed in this article are all foods that should be included as part of a healthy balanced diet (just go easy on the red wine). Just make sure you do not spend any of your hard earned cash on stilbenoid supplements until further research has been completed.
