Piceatannol is a metabolite (a byproduct of metabolism) of the powerful phytochemical resveratrol, which is found in grape skins, bilberries, blueberries, cranberries and peanuts. Resveratrol has been studied for its effects on longevity, heart disease and cancer. Recently, researchers at Purdue University discovered that piceatannol blocks the development of immature fat cells into mature fat cells (a process called adipogenesis) by binding to their insulin receptors. Without insulin, the genes that promote the growth of baby fat cells (which cannot store fat) to adult fat cells (which can store fat) are never activated.

Piceatannol-3'-0-β-D-glucopyranoside, a potent component of stilbenes, has been shown to block the activity of arginase I and II, as well as stimulate making of Nitric Oxide from Arginine. As we get older, our blood vessel Arginine levels decrease and our Arginase levels I & II increase. This combination of higher than normal Arinase I & II and less than optimal amounts of Arginine is one of the fundamental reasons why individuals develop vascular dysfunction (aka hardening of the arteries). Conditions such as high blood pressure, blocked arteries, stroke, dementia, aging, erectile dysfunction and sickle cell disease can all be traced back to vascular dysfunction as a result of less than optimal Nitric Oxide formation.