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March 30th, 2025
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Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
ecology
biorxiv

The nutritional value of invertebrate aquatic foods

Zamborain-Mason, J.Open in Google Scholar•Marwaha, N.Open in Google Scholar•Yoo, S.-H.Open in Google Scholar•Hicks, C. C.Open in Google Scholar•Robinson, J. P. W.Open in Google Scholar•Abucay, L. R.Open in Google Scholar•Elsler, L. G.Open in Google Scholar•Eurich, J. G.Open in Google Scholar•Friedman, W. R.Open in Google Scholar•Gephart, J. A.Open in Google Scholaret al.

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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