The nutritional value of invertebrate aquatic foods

Zamborain-Mason, J.; Marwaha, N.; Yoo, S.-H.; Hicks, C. C.; Robinson, J. P. W.; Abucay, L. R.; Elsler, L. G.; Eurich, J. G.; Friedman, W. R.; Gephart, J. A.; MacNeil, M. A.; Mason, J. G.; Palomares, M. L. D.; Parducho, V. A.; Seto, K. L.; Kleisner, K. M.; Viana, D. F.; Golden, C. D.

doi:10.1101/2025.03.26.645521

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.03.26.645521

The nutritional value of invertebrate aquatic foods

Zamborain-Mason, J.·Marwaha, N.·Yoo, S.-H.·Hicks, C. C.·Robinson, J. P. W.·Abucay, L. R.·Elsler, L. G.·Eurich, J. G.·Friedman, W. R.·Gephart, J. A.·MacNeil, M. A.·Mason, J. G.·Palomares, M. L. D.·Parducho, V. A.·Seto, K. L.·Kleisner, K. M.·Viana, D. F.·Golden, C. D.

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Abstract

Aquatic invertebrates are a diverse, nutrient-dense, and socio-ecologically important food whose contribution to human nutrition is frequently overlooked. We quantify their contribution to global nutrient supplies and estimate the nutrient content of >50,000 macroinvertebrate species. Current aquatic invertebrate production supplies the equivalent annual requirement for >6 billion people in terms of vitamin B12 and selenium; >1 billion people for copper, omega 3 fatty acids, iodine and zinc; and >100 million people for nutrients such as vitamins B2 and B3, iron, manganese, and magnesium. Nutrient composition differs among taxonomic groups, consumption patterns, and environmental and life-history factors. Our study highlights the benefits of integrating aquatic invertebrates into dietary portfolios across global societies, mainstreaming their nutritional importance in development projects, sustainability assessments and food policy.

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Zamborain-Mason, J., Marwaha, N., Yoo, S.-H., Hicks, C. C., Robinson, J. P. W., Abucay, L. R., Elsler, L. G., Eurich, J. G., Friedman, W. R., Gephart, J. A., MacNeil, M. A., Mason, J. G., Palomares, M. L. D., Parducho, V. A., Seto, K. L., Kleisner, K. M., Viana, D. F., Golden, C. D.. 2025-03-30. The nutritional value of invertebrate aquatic foods. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.26.645521

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