This review article explores the recent advancements in incorporating anthocyanins into polymers, highlighting their potential as smart, bioactive, and responsive materials. Anthocyanins, a group of natural pigments found in various plants, have gained attention due to their biological and colorimetric properties, making them useful in food preservation and biomedicine. The review discusses the challenges of anthocyanin stability and bioavailability, and how encapsulation within polymers can enhance these properties. Various polymer matrices, including biopolymers, synthetic polymers, and nanomaterials, are explored for their ability to immobilize anthocyanins. The article also delves into the preparation and characterization methods of anthocyanin-loaded polymers, such as films, mats, hydrogels, and nanoparticles. Additionally, the review highlights the applications of these polymers in food and healthcare, emphasizing their roles as bioactive substances, smart materials, and active agents. The biological properties of anthocyanins, including their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, are discussed, along with their halochromic properties, which make them useful for pH monitoring in food and biological solutions. The article concludes by summarizing the latest research on anthocyanin-loaded polymers and their applications in food and healthcare, providing a comprehensive overview of the field.This review article explores the recent advancements in incorporating anthocyanins into polymers, highlighting their potential as smart, bioactive, and responsive materials. Anthocyanins, a group of natural pigments found in various plants, have gained attention due to their biological and colorimetric properties, making them useful in food preservation and biomedicine. The review discusses the challenges of anthocyanin stability and bioavailability, and how encapsulation within polymers can enhance these properties. Various polymer matrices, including biopolymers, synthetic polymers, and nanomaterials, are explored for their ability to immobilize anthocyanins. The article also delves into the preparation and characterization methods of anthocyanin-loaded polymers, such as films, mats, hydrogels, and nanoparticles. Additionally, the review highlights the applications of these polymers in food and healthcare, emphasizing their roles as bioactive substances, smart materials, and active agents. The biological properties of anthocyanins, including their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, are discussed, along with their halochromic properties, which make them useful for pH monitoring in food and biological solutions. The article concludes by summarizing the latest research on anthocyanin-loaded polymers and their applications in food and healthcare, providing a comprehensive overview of the field.