Apart from the aromatic feature, Truffles biochemical composition encompasses multiple nutritional and medicinal benefits.

 

TRUFFLES ARE NUTRIENT RICH

Truffles have a rich nutritional value with proteins, fats (60% unsaturated fatty acid such as oleic acid and linoleic acid), minerals and lipids.

They are known as a rich source of amino acids, especially the sulfur-containing ones (cysteine and methionine) that are generally very limited in other plant-derived foods.

They also provide a significant amount and variety of minerals. In particular potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.

 

TRUFFLES BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

In addition, they are rich in bioactive compounds such as ascorbic acid (Vit.C), phenolics, flavonoids, ergosterol, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and phytosterols. These are known for their antitumor, antintioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective,anti-inflammatory,anti-mutagenic and immunodulatory properties. 

Truffles differentiate from mushroom which cannot synthesize these valuable metabolities. 

TRUFFLES & LOVE 💕

Through the centuries, truffles have been used as an effective sexual enhancer due to the presence of Androstenol, a steroidal pheromone. Although Androstenol is also found in the underarm perspiration of men and urine of women, causing an increase in sexual attractiveness, the scientific evidence of truffles' aphrodisiac properties is still limited. It is also possible that while truffle hunting, animals might be attracted by the odour of this chemical marker.

 

Lee H, Nam K, Zahra Z, Farooqi MQU. Potentials of truffles in nutritional and medicinal applications: a review. Fungal Biol Biotechnol. 2020 Jun 17;7:9. doi: 10.1186/s40694-020-00097-x. PMID: 32566240; PMCID: PMC7301458.