Abstract

Obesity and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are global public health concerns. Inflammation is an underlying factor that links obesity to the development of CVDs, particularly as inflammation drives molecular and epigenetic adaptations that promote cardiac remodeling and dysfunction as well as atherogenesis. Diet is now considered a major preventable modification that can prevent and/or delay the onset of obesity and CVDs. Recent research has linked fiber and phytonutrients as major components that affect the epigenome and, in particular, histone modifications to improve cardiac phenotypes and attenuate inflammation. In this chapter, we will discuss the most up-to-date literature that outlines the role of histone modifications in inflammation and CVD and how diet can alter these histone marks to improve CVD risk.