Pili Nuts: Nutrients, What Research Shows and Safety

The pili nut (Canarium ovatum) is the kernel of a tropical tree in the Philippines. The kernel sits inside a very hard shell, and the fruit pulp around it is also eaten in the Philippines. Pili kernels are rich, buttery and very high in fat, and are sold roasted or in snacks. This page separates the kernel as a food from pulp, oil and lab extracts, and says plainly that very little human research exists.

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• There is almost no human research on pili nuts. In a Europe PMC search of the research literature for pili nut and Canarium ovatum, we found one tiny human study (10 adults, a single drink made from pili pomace, a by-product of processing) and one allergy case report. We found no trial of eating pili nuts for any health goal. [3][4]
• Allergy is possible. A US case report titled "First reported allergic reaction in the United States to pili nut" exists. We could only read its record, which has no abstract. [4] For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call 911 (or your local emergency number). [10]
• Pili nuts are very high in saturated fat: USDA lists 31.2 g per 100 g, or about 8.8 g in a 1 ounce portion, which is 44% of the FDA Daily Value. [1]
• The CDC lists whole or chopped nuts as choking hazards for young children. [8]

What is in it (USDA values)

USDA data for dried pili nuts (called "pilinuts"). The USDA household portion is 1 ounce (28.35 g), about 15 kernels. [1] The per-serving column is the USDA per-100 g value scaled to 28.35 g. USDA lists limited nutrients for this food: no fiber, vitamin E, selenium, vitamin K or omega-3 values appear in the file, which means USDA has no value, not that the amount is zero. [1]

Source: USDA FoodData Central item 170590 (SR Legacy). [1] % Daily Value uses the FDA 2016 Daily Values; values vary with variety, growing place, roasting and storage. A Philippine analysis of seven pili varieties found values differed by variety: kernel fat 67 to 74% and energy 704 to 749 kcal per 100 g of freeze-dried kernel. [5]

The same Philippine analysis found selenium below its limit of detection, and also lead and cadmium below the limit, in both pulp and kernel. [6] Plant compounds: a lab study of the pulp oil found phytosterols and triterpenoids with antioxidant and antibacterial activity in test tubes. [7] That is laboratory work on pulp oil, not on the kernel and not in people.

What research says

Eaten as food vs taken as oil, extract or pomace. The only human study we found used a pomace drink, a by-product, not the shelled nut. [3] Pulp oil and resin studies were done in the lab. [7] None of this tells us what eating pili nuts does for health. Pili nuts are an energy-dense, mineral-rich food that is little studied.

How much is a normal serving

Safety, allergy and medicines

• Allergy. A US case report of an allergic reaction to pili nut was published in 2021, titled as the first reported in the US. We could read only its record, which has no abstract, so we cannot say what the reaction was. [4] Tree nut allergy in general is often severe and may last for life. The NHS names tree nuts among common triggers and says call 999 for a swollen mouth or throat or trouble breathing; US readers call 911. [10] The FDA says labels must name the specific type of tree nut. [11] Whether pili nut is listed as a tree nut on a given label is not something we could confirm. We found no source we read on whether pili allergy cross-reacts with cashew, pistachio or other nuts. The main pili storage protein is an 11S globulin, a type common in oilseeds; this is a protein-chemistry finding, not an allergy finding. [12] See nut and seed allergy basics.
• Choking and young children. The CDC lists whole or chopped nuts and seeds, and spoonfuls of nut or seed butter, as foods to avoid for young children. [8] See foods for babies and toddlers.
• Saturated fat and calories. Pili is high in saturated fat (31.2 g per 100 g) and energy (719 kcal per 100 g, 204 per ounce). [1] Trials of other nuts did not find weight gain, but pili was not studied. [9] People managing cholesterol or heart disease can ask a clinician how it fits. See foods for cholesterol and heart health.
• Medicines. Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for any pili nut and medicine interaction. USDA lists no vitamin K value for pili nuts. [1]
• Kidney disease. USDA lists 575 mg phosphorus and 507 mg potassium per 100 g. [1] We found no pili-specific kidney source; people on renal diets should ask their kidney team. A 2025 review of nuts in chronic kidney disease found only four studies, none on pili. [13]
• Pregnancy. Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.

Choosing, storing and food safety

• Aflatoxin (a mold toxin) occurs in nuts generally. MedlinePlus advises buying from major brands and discarding nuts that look moldy, discolored or shriveled. [14] We did not read a pili-specific aflatoxin source.
• Pili is high in fat, so storage matters for taste. See storing nuts and seeds. We did not read a pili-specific storage source.
• Roasted and flavored pili snacks vary; check the label for salt, sugar and allergens.

Related pages

• Nuts and seeds for heart health: what trials found
• Macadamia nuts
• Pine nuts
• Nut and seed allergy basics
• Food allergy basics and emergency signs
• Storing nuts and seeds: rancidity, mold and aflatoxin