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# Combined Fermentation Score Explained

### Understanding Your Fermentation Score

Your **fermentation score** (or **F-score**) reflects the combined levels of **hydrogen and methane gases** in your breath. These gases are produced when microbes in your gut ferment food, and together they give us a picture of what’s happening in your digestive system.

Both hydrogen and methane contribute to fermentation. Their combined effect is stronger than either one alone — so even if each gas is low individually, the total score may place you in the **medium** range.

**Example:**

A total score of **6.0** with a **1:1 hydrogen to methane ratio** means:
* Hydrogen = 3.0
* Methane = 3.0

Each gas is low on its own, but together they indicate a **medium level of fermentation**.

### 📈 Score Ranges in the App

To make scores easier to interpret, the FoodMarble app uses the following categories:

| Range | Score | Description |
| ---- |
| **Low** | 0.0 – 3.4 | Minimal fermentation activity |
| **Medium** | 3.5 – 6.7 | Moderate fermentation |
| **High** | 6.8 – 10.0 | High fermentation activity |

These ranges help you **spot trends over time** and see which foods or other factors may lead to higher fermentation.

### ⚙️ How the Scale Works

The fermentation score is shown on a **0–10 scale**, representing how much gas is being produced in your gut at any time. The scale is divided evenly into **low**, **medium**, and **high**.

To prevent the score from maxing out at 10 too quickly, it increases more **gradually** once the gas levels are high — a bit like inflating a balloon: it gets harder to add more air as it fills up.

This means there’s a **bigger difference between 9 and 9.5** than between 8 and 8.5.

Rest assured, though — anything in that **top third** of the scale can be taken as **high**.

### 💡 Important Insights

* Some people naturally have **higher baseline methane levels**. In these cases, **hydrogen spikes** may be more closely linked to symptoms such as bloating or discomfort.
* On challenge days, it’s usually fine to continue even if methane is elevated — as long as hydrogen remains low. The challenge data will still be **valid and meaningful**.

### 🔍 Putting It All Together

It’s normal for your scores to fluctuate — this doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” What matters most are the **patterns you uncover over time**.

By combining your **fermentation scores**, **food logs**, and **symptom tracking**, you can build a clearer picture of what your body tolerates best.

Every breath, meal, or symptom logged is a step toward greater understanding. Over time, these small pieces of data can lead to **valuable insights** that support your comfort and confidence day to day.