Getting High Scores? Here’s How to Make Sense of Them

Understanding Your Fermentation Scores

Fermentation is a natural process that happens in the gut — and high levels are not always a bad thing. What matters most is learning how your body responds to different foods.

By using your FoodMarble device consistently, you can track fermentation levels over time and see how they change with what you eat. Logging meals in the app helps you connect changes in your scores with specific foods, giving you clearer insights into your unique digestive patterns.

💡 Remember, every reading you take is a step toward understanding your gut better. It’s not about chasing “perfect” scores — it’s about building knowledge that helps you feel more in control.

Normal Fluctuations

It can be quite normal for fermentation scores to rise and fall between consecutive tests. This doesn’t mean something is wrong — it’s simply how digestion works.

To avoid skewed results, we recommend taking no more than one breath test per hour. (Frequent testing can create excess moisture in the device, which may lead to inaccurate readings.)

Breath Testing Technique

To get the most accurate and consistent results:

• Don’t hold your device too close to your mouth or nose during the 3-second countdown. Even a gentle exhale may be picked up too soon.
• Use a gentle breathing style. Don’t blow through the device — instead, imagine you’re gently cooling hot soup on a spoon: steady and soft.
• Hold the device straight and level, not tilted up or down.
• Don't take breath tests lying down - sit down and upright for each test, when possible.
• Aim your breath through the device so it flows directly through, not towards the ceiling of the canal.

💡 If you don’t get it “perfect” every time, that’s okay — small variations won’t stop you from seeing the bigger trends.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Fermentation levels can be influenced by foods eaten earlier in the day — or even the day before.
• Gastric transit timing (how long food takes to move through your system) plays a big role.
• Alcohol and smoking can both affect fermentation scores — and may also damage your device. For best results, avoid using the device right after drinking alcohol or smoking.

Updated on: 01/09/2025