Health Benefits Of Truffle

Truffles are not only a delicious food, but they also have many health benefits, like their antioxidant properties, high nutritional content, and potential support for heart health.

Truffles are the edible spores that grow on an underground fungus in the family Tuberaceae.  Truffles and mushrooms are technically not the same species, as truffles grow below the surface while mushrooms grow above ground.

Here are some health benefits of truffles:

 1.  High in Vital Nutrients 

Truffles boast an impressive nutrient profile and are high in many important vitamins and minerals. 

 In fact, they’re high in carbs, protein and fibre and contain both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as micronutrients, such as vitamin C, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron (1Trusted Source).

 Truffles may also be a complete protein source, providing your body with all nine necessary amino acids, according to research (1Trusted Source). Keep in mind that the nutrient profile can vary between species.  White desert truffles, for instance, have a higher protein, fat, and fiber content than black desert truffles, according to studies (1Trusted Source).

 2.  High in Antioxidants

 Antioxidants, which are substances that aid in the fight against free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to your cells, can be found in abundance in truffles. Antioxidants may even be linked to a lower risk of chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, according to studies (2Trusted Source). Antioxidants are important to many aspects of your health. Truffles have been shown to contain antioxidants like vitamin C, lycopene, gallic acid, and homogentisic acid, though the exact amounts can vary from species to species. Because of their antioxidant content, test-tube studies show that both black and white truffles may even help kill cancer cells and reduce inflammation (4Trusted Source).

 It should be noted that extremely concentrated truffle extracts were used in this study. As a result, the potential effects that the antioxidants in fresh truffles may have on your overall health are still unknown. 

3.  Contains Antimicrobial Properties 

Truffles may also possess antimicrobial properties that can assist in reducing the growth of particular strains of bacteria, in addition to their exceptional nutrient profile. Desert truffle extract inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus by up to 66%, according to a test-tube study. This bacteria can cause a wide range of illnesses in humans (5Trusted Source).

 Similarly, another test-tube study observed that extract from the same variety decreased the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a strain of bacteria that is often highly resistant to antibiotics (6Trusted Source).

 However, it is necessary to conduct additional research in order to measure the antibacterial properties of other kinds of truffles in quantities that are typically consumed. In addition, high-quality research ought to be carried out in order to ascertain how the antibacterial properties of truffles might influence these bacterial infections in humans. 

4.  May Help Kill Cancer Cells

 Some research suggests that truffles may have potent anticancer properties, despite the fact that there is currently only evidence from studies conducted in test tubes. For example, one test-tube study showed that compounds extracted from different types of truffles helped block the growth of liver, lung, colon and breast tumour cells (7Trusted Source).

 Extracts from both black and white species were found to have anticancer effects on cervical, breast, and colon cancer cells in a test tube study (4Trusted Source). However, additional studies are needed to evaluate how truffles may impact cancer growth in humans when eaten rather than in concentrated extract form.

 5.  May Help Reduce Inflammation

 Inflammation is a vital part of your immune function that helps defend your body against infection and illness.

 However, it is thought that maintaining elevated levels of inflammation over time can contribute to the onset of chronic disease (8Trusted Source). Some research suggests that truffles may help relieve inflammation and hence promote overall health and immunity.

 One test-tube study showed that certain compounds in black and white species could block the activity of specific enzymes involved in the inflammatory process (4Trusted Source).

 Other test-tube research has found that truffles may help fight free radical formation, which can reduce your risk of cell damage and inflammation (9, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

 Nevertheless, there is a need for additional research to comprehend how humans' inflammation levels might be affected by eating normal amounts of truffles. 

6.  Easy to Add to Your Diet

 Once considered a pricey delicacy reserved for gourmet dishes, there are now plenty of ways to add truffles to your diet without having to empty your bank account.

 Widely available at specialty markets and online retailers, black truffles are one of the most common varieties and much more affordable than other types, such as the white variety.

 While each ounce (28.3 grams) comes with a hefty price tag, it only takes a small amount to transform your dish.

 Try topping salads, soups or main courses with a few shavings for a flavourful, aroma-packed garnish.

 Alternately, you can add a flavorful twist to your favorite recipes by combining a small amount of truffle with room temperature butter or olive oil. The delicacy also works well in sauces, pasta, risottos and meat or seafood dishes.