When and how to use a free database tool on fiber and health outcomes

Authors: MCKEOWN, NICOLA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; STAFFIER, KARA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; Parnell, Laurence

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2020
Publication Date: 12/15/2020
Citation: Mckeown, N.M., Staffier, K.L., Parnell, L.D. 2020. When and how to use a free database tool on fiber and health outcomes. [abstract] 12th Vahouny Fiber Symposium. Abstract 3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 2013, Dr. Nicola McKeown and colleagues at Tufts University developed a publicly available fiber database, "The Diet-Related Fibers and Human Health Outcomes Database." This tool is updated annually and contains population, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) data extracted from published human intervention studies. Dietary fiber research is ongoing as demonstrated by a 33% increase in publications from the first release of the database (containing data from 868 studies) to the most current version 5 (1,294 studies).The database is a rich resource aimed at assisting policy-makers and researchers, for example those who are reviewing the evidence on the physiological health effects of dietary fibers or those interested in a specific fiber type. The database is a tool that efficiently facilitates summaries of the literature on a specific topic and helps to identify gaps in the literature, thus directing new research. The objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of the database and to illustrate a practical application of its use.