Pili Nuts Health Benefits – Nutritional Value, Side Effects

Pili nuts are the fruit of the pili tree and they range in size from 1-3 inches long and 0.5-1.5 inches across, typically in a teardrop shape. These nuts are protected by a hard shell and a fibrous seed coat that tends to stick to the outside of the shell. Pili is a type of evergreen tree bearing the scientific name Canarium ovatum. These tall, symmetrical, resinous-wood trees are native to Southeast Asia, Nothern Australia, and Papua New Guinea. They are most easily found in the Philippines, where they are heavily cultivated for their nuts. These nuts are hardy and can remain edible for long periods of time, which makes them an important source of nutrients in this area of the world. [1]

Pili nut oil uses and benefits Quick Facts
Name: Pili nut oil uses and benefits
Scientific Name: Canarium ovatum
Origin Pili is inherent to Maritime Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea. It is cultivated commercially for its edible nuts in the Philippines.
Colors Light yellowish
Health benefits Prevent wrinkles, Skin ailments, Heal wounds, Promote hair health, Strengthen immunity

Pili nut oil is extracted from the Pili nuts also called Canarium Ovatum that is native to Ocean regions of Southeast Asia. Pili nuts have a high content of nutrients and protein. The fruits have a hard shell that colors dark and has thick skin. The kernel consists of high content of phosphorus, calcium, manganese, protein, fats, and potassium. It has high content of antioxidants that enhance the lipid profile. The extracted oil is light yellow having 44.4-59.6% of glycerides of oleic and 32.6-38.2% of palmitic acids. This oil possesses antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, therapeutic, and soothing properties. It is helpful for people suffering from heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, HIV, and diabetes. It prevents the chances of thrombotic and cardiovascular ailments. It is also used in candles, cosmetics, fresheners, inks, and scented papers.

History

Pili is inherent to Maritime Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea. It is cultivated commercially for its edible nuts in the Philippines.

Nutrition Facts

Nuts, pilinuts, dried
Serving Size : 
Nutrient Value
Water [g] 2.77
Energy 719
Energy [kJ] 3008
Protein [g] 10.8
Total lipid (fat) [g] 79.55
Ash [g] 2.91
Carbohydrate, by difference [g] 3.98
Calcium, Ca [mg] 145
Iron, Fe [mg] 3.53
Magnesium, Mg [mg] 302
Phosphorus, P [mg] 575
Potassium, K [mg] 507
Sodium, Na [mg] 3
Zinc, Zn [mg] 2.97
Copper, Cu [mg] 0.96
Manganese, Mn [mg] 2.31
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] 0.6
Thiamin [mg] 0.91
Riboflavin [mg] 0.09
Niacin [mg] 0.52
Pantothenic acid [mg] 0.48
Vitamin B-6 [mg] 0.12
Folate, total [µg] 60
Folate, food [µg] 60
Folate, DFE [µg] 60
Vitamin A, RAE [µg] 2
Vitamin A, IU [IU] 41
Fatty acids, total saturated [g] 31.18
16:0 [g] 22.04
18:0 [g] 9.15
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] 37.23
18:1 [g] 37.23
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] 7.61
18:2 [g] 7.61
Tryptophan [g] 0.19
Threonine [g] 0.41
Isoleucine [g] 0.48
Leucine [g] 0.89
Lysine [g] 0.37
Methionine [g] 0.4
Cystine [g] 0.19
Phenylalanine [g] 0.5
Tyrosine [g] 0.38
Valine [g] 0.7
Arginine [g] 1.52
Histidine [g] 0.26
Alanine [g] 0.51
Aspartic acid [g] 1.22
Glutamic acid [g] 2.39
Glycine [g] 0.65
Proline [g] 0.47
Serine [g] 0.6
Sources include : USDA [2]

Health Benefits of Pili Nuts

In moderation, eating pili nuts can deliver a wealth of health benefits to the body, the best of which are listed below.

Aid in Digestion

As with many nuts and seeds, pili nuts are excellent for optimizing your digestion and improving gastrointestinal health. The natural fiber found in pili nuts can help stimulate peristaltic motion and prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. This can also help you improve the efficiency of your nutrient uptake, which means maximizing the value of the food you consume!

Reduce Inflammation

Pili nuts are natural anti-inflammatory substances because they contain such rich amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants primarily eliminate free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and increase inflammation throughout the body. By adding pili nuts to your diet, you can cut down on inflammatory conditions like arthritis and gout, among many others. [4]

Prevent Chronic Diseases

As mentioned above, antioxidants are excellent for reducing free radical damage and oxidative stress, which often leads to chronic diseases. The diverse mix of antioxidants found in pili nuts can keep your body’s systems operating efficiently and neutralize those dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism before they can cause healthy cells to mutate or malfunction. [5]

Balance Cholesterol

The impressive amount of fats found in pili nuts may make some people think that they would be bad for your cholesterol levels, but it is important to remember that not all fats are bad. In fact, omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in good supply within pili nuts, can help balance your cholesterol levels and eliminate excess omega-6 fatty acids. This can lower your risk for heart conditions, such as atherosclerosis, and prevent heart attacks and strokes. [6]

Weight Loss

In moderation, pili nuts can help you lose weight due to the healthy cholesterol balance and the fiber found in these nuts. Nuts of all kinds are excellent ways to suppress hunger, as fiber makes the body feel that it is full, thus reducing your chances of going to the pantry for yet another midnight snack. The cholesterol-balancing effects can also improve metabolic efficiency, which means your body will begin to burn fat more quickly and efficiently. [7]

Increase Cognition

Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to reducing inflammation in neural pathways that can improve concentration and focus. Furthermore, the antioxidants found in pili nuts can eliminate oxidative stress that can speed up neural degeneration and even lead to conditions like dementia. Adding these nuts can keep your brain firing on all cylinders well into your older years.

Improve Bone Health

The diverse mix of minerals found in pili nuts means that they can be a major help for our bones. Bone mineral density naturally begins to decline as we age, so it is important to increase our mineral intake, or at least ensure that it is in line with daily requirements. Pili nuts provide calciumzinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorous, many of which are essential to keeping our bones strong, particularly as we age.

Boost Immunity

The antioxidants mentioned above give our immune system a break by reducing the strain to constantly fight off body-weakening disease and stress. However, these tropical nuts help our immune system in another way as well. The high levels of vitamin E are also directly connected with giving the immune system a boost, and making sure that you stay healthy! [8]

Aid in Sleep

Magnesium is an important component of serotonin and other relaxing hormones that can prevent symptoms of insomnia and sleeplessness. If you find that you rarely get a full, restful night of sleep, then the high levels of magnesium found in pili nuts may be precisely what your body needs to find relief. [9] [10]

Increase Energy

It isn’t every day that you come across a food that provides all eight amino acids, but pili nuts are one of them. This ensures that the body can energize itself, produce new tissues, and run all of its organ systems at optimal levels. The mixture of minerals, proteins, and carbohydrates also drives energy levels up. Even a handful of these nuts can give you an energetic surge. [11]

Promote Development and Growth

Proteins are the building blocks of life for human beings, and pili nuts contain a sufficient amount to earn it some praise. We need proteins for everything from organ development and muscle growth to healing and metabolic activity. Adding a protein-rich nut to your diet is therefore never a bad idea. [12]

Health Benefits of Pili nut Oil

  • It is used to prevent wrinkles.
  • It helps to treat skin ailments such as scabies.
  • It is used to heal allergies and wounds.
  • Topically, it is applied for promoting skin health, the healing process, lowering the risk of scar tissue formation, ease skin ulcers, eczema, shingles, and cold sores.
  • It is used to enhance hair and provides relief from stress, regulates the level of cholesterol, strengthens the immune system, aid weight loss, enhances metabolism, assist digestion, heart disease, kidney ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, HIV, diabetes, strengthen bones and dental health.
  • It moisturizes the skin and makes it plump.

Hair

Many hair products contain synthetic silicone and other chemicals that can weigh down your hair, but Pili Oil is organic and absorbs quickly! Here’s a tip from a recent Pure Pili customer:

  1. Massage the oil into your roots and ends
  2. Leave it in for 30min and then wash it out with shampoo (no conditioner needed!).
  3. Hair comes out smooth and soft to the touch.
  4. For thicker hair, leaving Pili Oil overnight can really help with reaching the deep layers of your follicles to revitalize your hair.

Face

Pili Oil cleans and revitalizes your skin without any irritation, so it’s no wonder many women are ditching their expensive chemical washes for this one simple natural trick.

  1. After your nightly face wash, apply 2-3 drops directly on your hands or mix 1-2 drops with your regular face serum.
  2. Massage gently into your skin and leave a thin layer.
  3. Pili Oil fans have reported having incredibly soft skin in the morning after nightly application.

Skin

Cold-pressed organic Pili Oil has unique anti-inflammatory and anti-irritation properties, which make it a natural ointment for acne scars, eczema, or psoriasis.

  1. Apply one to two drops into your hands and gently massage into the affected skin.
  2. For best results, apply to slightly damp skin and leave overnight.
  3. Most users notice a reduction in scarring within several weeks!

Precautions

  • Avoid its excessive use.
  • Allergic people should avoid it.
  • For topical use, a patch test is preferred before using.
  • Sensitive people might get an allergic reaction to its use.

How to Eat         

  • It could be used in sardines, salad dressings, other food preparations, and baking.
  • It is widely used in Chinese cuisines and salad dishes.

From Where To Buy

or

Wild Sprouted Pili Nuts, (5 oz Bag) with Himalayan Salt and Organic Coconut MCT Oil, Perfect Keto Friendly Snack, Vegan, Low Carb Energy, No Sugar Added, Ketogenic Fat Superfood, Gluten/Soy/Dairy Free
  • The Perfect Nut. High in beneficial fats and super low carb (just 1 g per serving)
  • Great source of Magnesium, Vitamin B-1 and Manganese
  • Certified Paleo, Certified Keto, Non GMO Project Verified. Wild Harvested & Hand Processed
  • Sprouted. Great for on the go, hiking, camping, etc.
  • The perfect touch of Himalayan Salt with Organic Coconut MCT Oil. Pure, Delicious and filling.

References