Dietary Patterns and Bioactive Nutrients in Cancer Prevention: Mechanisms and Evidence from 2015–2025

This work is a narrative literature review on the relationship between diet, nutrients, and cancer prevention. It summarizes evidence on specific bioactive food components (e.g., cruciferous vegetables, green tea, turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids) and dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean and vegetarian diets) in relation to various cancer types. The review highlights proposed biological mechanisms, evidence strength, and current limitations in research, including methodological challenges and policy barriers. Future directions such as nutrigenomics, microbiome-targeted strategies, improved biomarker validation, and personalized nutrition approaches are also discussed. This resource is intended to support researchers, students, and health professionals interested in nutrition and cancer prevention