Objective To study the effects of in vitro simulated digestion on the content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity of Canarium album and its products. Methods The study investigated the changes in total polyphenol content and scavenging capacities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation (ABTS⁺) free radical, hydroxyl free radical and superoxide anion free radical during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion using 5 samples: Canarium album polyphenol extract, fresh Canarium album, sweet Canarium album, salt-preserved Canarium album, and licorice-flavored Canarium album. Results The polyphenol content of the 5 samples in both the gastric and intestinal digestion stages was lower than that in the undigested samples. During the gastric digestion stage, the scavenging capacities of the 5 samples for ABTS⁺ free radicals and DPPH free radicals were significantly stronger than those of the undigested samples. In the intestinal digestion stage, the free radical scavenging capacities of most samples decreased. The hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities of Canarium album extract and fresh Canarium album were weaker than those of the other samples, but their scavenging capacities in the intestinal stage were stronger than those in the gastric stage. Significant differences were observed in the superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities among the 5 samples: The superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity of Canarium album polyphenol extract increased initially and then decreased over time during gastrointestinal digestion; the scavenging capacity of fresh Canarium album during gastrointestinal digestion was stronger than that of the undigested counterpart; due to the presence of processed ingredients, the scavenging capacities of sweet Canarium album, salte-preserved Canarium album and licorice-flavored Canarium album showed no obvious correlation with their polyphenol content. Conclusion Compared with the undigested samples, different Canarium album samples still exhibit good antioxidant activity after digestion. This study provides a reference for the further research and application of Canarium album polyphenols, and offers a theoretical basis for the development, deep processing and utilization of Canarium album and its products.