Explore curated search tools and research strategies
Locate human nutrition research across key databases using curated search strings and detailed search guides. Explore topics such as gut microbiome and precision nutrition, search PubAg and PubMed, and connect to federal and interagency nutrition research programs.
Search Strings for Important Topics
Use these curated search strings to find nutrition publications by topic.
Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome consists of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses in our digestive tracts. It broadly impacts digestion, immune function, metabolism, and the gut-brain axis.
PubAg search results: Gut Microbiome [nal.usda.gov]
PubMed search results: Gut Microbiome [nlm.nih.gov]
Search Strings: Gut Microbiome [pdf, 1 page]
Precision Nutrition
Precision and personalized nutrition approaches use individual genetic, lifestyle, and health information to tailor dietary recommendations and address personal dietary needs.
PubAg search results: Precision Nutrition [nal.usda.gov]
PubMed search results: Precision Nutrition [nlm.nih.gov]
Search Strings: Precision Nutrition [pdf, 1 page]
USDA Food Assistance Programs
Federal programs such as SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program provide necessary food aid to eligible individuals, improving nutrition security and health outcomes.
PubAg search results: USDA Food Assistance Programs [nal.usda.gov]
PubMed search results: USDA Food Assistance Programs [nlm.nih.gov]
Search Strings: USDA Food Assistance [pdf, 1 page]
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plant-based foods that may influence human health by modifying oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and metabolic processes.
PubAg search results: Polyphenols [nal.usda.gov]
PubMed search results: Polyphenols [nlm.nih.gov]
Search Strings: Polyphenols [pdf, 1 page]
Guides to Effective Searching
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Literature Searching [umn.edu]
This introductory guide provides instructions for each step of the literature search process, with handouts and troubleshooting tips.
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Literature search: Simple rules for confronting the unknown [nlm.nih.gov]
This publication provides detailed step-by-step instructions for literature searches with examples of building complex search strings for targeted searches.
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Tips for Using PubMed [nnlm.gov] [PDF, 326 KB]
Refer to this two-page handout to get started with the very basics of PubMed. Also in Spanish/Español: Consejos para usar PubMed [nnlm.gov] [PDF, 318 KB]
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PubMed User Guide [nlm.nih.gov]
This official guide answers the most common questions about using PubMed and provides extensive instructions and examples appropriate for beginners and experienced users.
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PubMed Tutorial Videos [youtube.com]
Watch the official PubMed instructional video series hosted on YouTube. Also in Spanish/Español.
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PubMed @ UMSL [umsl.edu]
Learn how to use PubMed's basic and advanced features to search the literature. Explore examples, videos, and helpful handouts.
Literature Databases
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PubMed [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
PubMed is a database from the National Library of Medicine supporting the search and retrieval of biomedical and life sciences literature, including a subset of open-access publications.
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PubAg [nal.usda.gov]
PubAg is a USDA National Agricultural Library resource offering open access to agricultural research publications from nutrition to crop science.
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DigiTop (USDA Only) [nal.usda.gov]
DigiTop is a service of NAL delivering licensed electronic resources to authorized USDA users. Access 30+ major citation databases including Scopus and Web of Science.
Federal Nutrition Research
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ARS Human Nutrition Research [nal.usda.gov]
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) oversees six interdisciplinary human nutrition research centers that focus on enhancing our understanding of nutritional science and public health.
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USDA Human Nutrition Coordinating Committee [nal.usda.gov]
The USDA's Human Nutrition Coordinating Committee (HNCC) enhances federal nutrition research efforts by facilitating collaboration and coordination among various USDA agencies.
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ASCEND for Better Health [nutrition.gov]
The Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet (ASCEND) for Better Health is a virtual center that fosters collaboration to promote and elevate food and nutrition security for all Americans.
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NIH Office of Nutrition Research [dpcpsi.nih.gov]
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Nutrition Research develops, leads, and manages trans-NIH nutrition research projects in collaboration with NIH institutes and centers.
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National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) [cdc.gov/nchs]
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NHANES is designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States, tracking changes over time and guiding health policies.
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U.S. Army Reseach Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) [usariem.health.mil]
The USARIEM Military Nutrition Division conducts nutrition research that provides the biomedical science basis for developing new rations, menus, policies, and programs that support the health and performance readiness of military personnel.
Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Topic Briefs
About DRI Topic Briefs
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are a set of reference values that guide intake of single nutrients for healthy growth and functioning, reducing risk of chronic disease, and avoiding toxicity across the lifespan. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) convene expert committees to review and update the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), and the Joint Federal Canada-U.S. DRI Working Group (Working Group) supports this process through various activities, including evidence collection. DRI Topic Briefs are research-focused evidence summaries developed by the National Agricultural Library (NAL) and provided to the Working Group. They present systematically compiled evidence on nutrient intake and associated health outcomes to inform the Working Group’s next steps, such as commissioning full systematic reviews.
These briefs are not dietary guidance or policy and do not represent official USDA positions. Instead, they document the evidence landscape reviewed in early stages of DRI development and help identify where more comprehensive reviews or updated nutrient reference values may be needed.
Available DRI Topic Briefs
Maternal-Infant Digestible Carbohydrate Intake and Chronic Disease and Other Health Outcomes [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Summary of primary research on maternal, infant, and early‑life digestible carbohydrate intake in relation to chronic disease and other health outcomes.
Dietary Digestible Carbohydrate Intake and Chronic Disease Outcomes [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Summary of scientific reviews on digestible carbohydrate intake across the lifespan and its relationship to chronic disease outcomes.