Do My Fermentation Scores Need to Be Low Before Starting Discovery?

No, not necessarily. Your day-to-day fermentation scores may continue to vary as you enter Discovery and prepare for your first Food Intolerance Test, also called a Challenge. You do not need consistently low daily scores before proceeding.

The three stages of the FoodMarble Program

• Baseline: Track your usual diet, symptoms and fermentation patterns to understand what is typical for you.
• Reset: Reduce FODMAPs with the aim of easing digestive symptoms and preparing for Discovery. Four out of five FoodMarble users report a reduction in symptom severity during Reset.
• Discovery: Complete Food Intolerance Tests to explore your response to four common FODMAPs: lactose, fructose, sorbitol and inulin.

If your symptoms and fermentation levels decrease during Reset, this may suggest that you’re ready to begin Discovery. However, your everyday fermentation scores do not all need to be low.

Preparing for a Challenge

To help produce clear and useful results, carefully follow the preparation instructions before each test:

• Follow a low-FODMAP diet the day before your Challenge, where possible.
• Eat a low-FODMAP meal before beginning your fast.
• Fast for at least 12 hours before testing.
• During the three-hour testing window, consume only the test packet and small sips of still water.

This helps minimise fermentation from previously consumed foods, making it easier to observe your response to the FODMAP being tested.

Your baseline reading on Challenge day

The most important reading is the baseline hydrogen score taken in Challenge mode on the morning of your test. Ideally, it should be below 3.5. If it is higher, the app will prompt you to wait and test again before giving you the option to continue.

It is possible to proceed with a baseline methane score above 3.5 because methane levels often remain relatively stable, even after following the preparation diet.

If you are still experiencing significant symptoms or are unsure whether to proceed, consider extending Reset and speak with your healthcare provider for personalised guidance, if you have any concerns.

Updated on: 22/07/2026