Anthocyanin-loaded polymers are promising natural, responsive, and bioactive materials with applications in food packaging and healthcare. This review summarizes recent advances in incorporating anthocyanins into macro-, micro-, and nanostructured polymers, highlighting their use as sensors, biological regulators, and active materials. Anthocyanins, non-toxic flavonoids found in plants, have unique biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. However, their low bioavailability and stability pose challenges for effective utilization. To address these issues, researchers have focused on encapsulation strategies to enhance stability, bioavailability, and color preservation. Polymers, such as biopolymers, polysaccharides, and proteins, are versatile materials that can be used to immobilize anthocyanins, offering advantages like controlled release and improved functionality. Various methods, including solution casting, electrospinning, hydrogels, and nanoparticle formation, have been explored for anthocyanin-loaded polymer development. These materials have shown potential in food applications, such as monitoring freshness through pH-sensitive color changes, and in healthcare, as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. The review also discusses the characterization techniques used to analyze anthocyanin-loaded polymers, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR-ATR, and TGA. Overall, anthocyanin-loaded polymers represent a promising approach for developing smart, functional materials with applications in food and healthcare.Anthocyanin-loaded polymers are promising natural, responsive, and bioactive materials with applications in food packaging and healthcare. This review summarizes recent advances in incorporating anthocyanins into macro-, micro-, and nanostructured polymers, highlighting their use as sensors, biological regulators, and active materials. Anthocyanins, non-toxic flavonoids found in plants, have unique biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. However, their low bioavailability and stability pose challenges for effective utilization. To address these issues, researchers have focused on encapsulation strategies to enhance stability, bioavailability, and color preservation. Polymers, such as biopolymers, polysaccharides, and proteins, are versatile materials that can be used to immobilize anthocyanins, offering advantages like controlled release and improved functionality. Various methods, including solution casting, electrospinning, hydrogels, and nanoparticle formation, have been explored for anthocyanin-loaded polymer development. These materials have shown potential in food applications, such as monitoring freshness through pH-sensitive color changes, and in healthcare, as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. The review also discusses the characterization techniques used to analyze anthocyanin-loaded polymers, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR-ATR, and TGA. Overall, anthocyanin-loaded polymers represent a promising approach for developing smart, functional materials with applications in food and healthcare.