Alterations in the epigenome are well known to affect cancer development and progression. Epigenetics is highly influenced by the environment, including diet, which is a source of metabolic substrates that influence the synthesis of cofactors or substrates for chromatin and RNA modifying enzymes. In addition, plants are a common source of bioactives that can directly modify the activity of these enzymes. Here, we review and discuss the impact of diet on epigenetic mechanisms, including chromatin and RNA regulation, and its potential implications for cancer prevention and treatment.
Keywords: DNA methylation; RNA modifications; bioactives; enhancer; histone modifications; metabolism; obesity.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.