Exploring functional plant-based seafood: Ingredients and health implications

Background: Functional foods, defined by their ability to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, have gained prominence globally. Seafood, acknowledged as a functional food due to its nutritional richness, faces challenges related to ecological, ethical, and health concerns. Plant-based seafood alternatives, a burgeoning market, offer a sustainable solution by replicating traditional seafood attributes without animal-based ingredients. Scope and approach: This review explores the rise of plant-based seafood alternatives, emphasizing their nutritional benefits, and associated health concerns. It delves into recent studies comparing them with traditional seafood, addressing potential drawbacks. The exploration extends to the concept of functional plant-based seafood, aiming to bridge nutritional gaps through innovative ingredients and succinctly review the impact of their consumption on human health. Key findings: While plant-based seafood consumption presents health benefits, concerns for specific populations persist. The review highlights varying outcomes in nutritional parameters between dietary groups. It proposes functional plant-based seafood as a solution to address nutritional deficiencies. The novelty lies in the comprehensive exploration of this emerging field, emphasizing the need for further research and innovation.