Truffle health benefits: This edible fungus can boost brain and bone health, prevent the common cold, and help in weight loss. Truffles don’t just taste nice. They also pack a nutritional punch as they are loaded with vitamins, promote a healthy immune system, and boost your bone health. Truffles are subterranean fungi grown in calcareous soils near the roots of broadleaved trees such as oak or hazelnut. They’re mostly produced in concentrated areas around the world, including France, Italy, New Zealand, China, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Northwest.
Because of its spore-bearing body, the truffle is basically considered a form of mushroom. However, there are some important differences between these two respective groups. Truffles grow underground while mushrooms typically grow above ground. What’s more, edible truffles don’t taste much like any traditional mushroom, even if both share a certain tier of earthy flavor. See: 7 Astonishing Nameko Mushroom Health Benefits
What Do Truffles Taste Like?
- Black truffles give off a pungent aroma and usually taste better when cooked. The flavor is often described as being nutty, earthy, woody, mushroomy, and even a little chocolatey.
- White truffles are somewhat more subtle by comparison, though still completely discernible when added to any dish. They give off a musky aroma and deliver a taste that’s typically described as being lightly garlicky.
To learn more about mushrooms and truffle health benefits, check out this video by a healthy hueman, Dr. Tracey Marks, a psychiatrist in Atlanta with over 20 years of experience who teaches strategies and foods to help with mental health issues and self-improvement.
Truffle Health Benefits
Truffle health benefits are numerous, it is a low-energy-dense food meaning that it has few calories compared to the volume of food. They are keto-friendly, Paleo-friendly, Atkins-friendly and they are excellent for both vegetarians and vegans. Truffles are fat-free, cholesterol-free, and gluten-free
They are low in sodium and calories. See: 3 Simple Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes
Antioxidant
Truffle is the highest food source of ergothioneine and glutathione both of which are antioxidants. They have anti-aging properties. They are only found in certain dietary sources e.g kidney, liver, black and red beans, etc.
Cholesterol
Truffles significantly reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL but do not have much influence on HDL. This is especially significant in diabetic subjects.
Antimicrobial
They have antibacterial and anti-fungicidal properties which are highly promising especially for microorganisms that are resistant to conventional treatments.
Immune system
Truffles help in maintaining a healthy immune system and controlling inflammatory responses. They improve cell functionality and gastrointestinal health. They also help reduce disease risk, this may be due to lower chances of being overweight which also reduces the risk of metabolic disease.
Cognition
Truffles help prevent and delay dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.
Weight management
Truffles are high in nutrients, very filling, taste good but low in calories. Truffles are a very low-calorie substitute for meat.
Cancer risk
There is clinical work on the use of edible fungi in the reduction of breast cancer risk, also the reduction of PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level in men, especially the relationship between white mushrooms and breast cancer.
Heart health
Truffles lower blood pressure without any harmful effect on the liver or kidney. They are low in sodium and saturated fat.
Digestive health
Truffle is a prebiotic that helps probiotics which in turn helps with digestive health, it promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. Also, it helps with the inhibition of disease-causing microorganisms.
Truffles are a prized culinary ingredient. They have a musky scent and an intoxicating, singular flavor. They are a commodity that can elevate a fine-dining experience, or add a touch of refinement to even the simplest of foods. Think shaved truffles on pasta, or french fries drizzled with truffle oil.
Why are truffle Health Benefits so expensive?
The first thing to say is, that a little truffle goes a long way! It only takes a few grams of ripe truffle to influence and create a magnificent dish. Putting it into perspective, an exquisite seasonal delight may only cost $10 – 15.00 per plate, when cooking at home. It just sounds expensive when people talk in pounds or kilos.
It’s true that truffles are ‘relatively’ expensive compared to some other ingredients, for a range of reasons including:
- They’re very challenging to grow
- Need specific soil, climate and environmental factors
- Require the right host tree
- Labour intensive to find (growing underground)
- Have a relatively short shelf life
- Transported in cold chain packaging