What does my fermentation score mean?
💨 Understanding Your Fermentation Score
A fermentation score is an objective reading of the gases (hydrogen and methane) detected in your breath at a given time. It provides a snapshot of the fermentation activity happening in your gut — a natural process driven by your gut microbes as they break down certain carbohydrates or FODMAPs as they're also referred to.
📊 One Score vs. Trends Over Time
A single fermentation score on its own may not tell you much. What’s more important is how your scores change over time and how they relate to the foods you eat, your daily habits, and your symptoms.
Trends and patterns should begin to emerge when you test regularly and log your meals and symptoms consistently.
The more you log, the more insights you can glean!
🔍 What Affects Your Fermentation?
Your levels of fermentation are unique to you and can be influenced by many factors:
- The types of foods you eat
- Any medications you may be taking
- Recent alcohol consumption or smoking
- Stress levels
- Sleep quality
- Intense physical activity
⚠️ High Fermentation Isn’t Always Bad
Fermentation is a normal process — it’s how your gut microbes digest certain carbohydrates. The gases produced are natural byproducts, but in some people, they may contribute to digestive symptoms like bloating, pain, or discomfort.
That’s why symptom logging is so important. By using the FoodMarble app to record both your fermentation scores and your symptoms, you can learn to distinguish:
- “Good” fermentation (normal, symptom-free digestion)
- “Problematic” fermentation (linked to unpleasant symptoms)
🧠 What Your Device Helps You Discover
Your FoodMarble device is designed to support people dealing with symptoms such as:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
These symptoms can sometimes be triggered by your body's response to specific foods. By logging what you eat and tracking your fermentation levels afterward, you can start identifying the foods that lead to higher fermentation — especially if those meals are also followed by symptoms.
Combining food logs with symptom tracking makes it easier to uncover food triggers and better understand what works (or doesn’t work) for your digestive system.
🥗 Tip: Start Experimenting
As you build your meal and breath logs, try experimenting with different meals. For example:
- Swap out garlic and onion for low FODMAP alternatives and observe your results and symptoms
- Try a different type of cheese
- Compare fermentation levels after various breakfasts
- See how symptoms shift when you avoid or reintroduce specific ingredients
🧭 The FoodMarble Program: A 3-Stage Journey
The FoodMarble Program is designed to help you understand your digestion in a structured and personalized way. It includes three key stages:
- Baseline – This initial stage is about observing your body's natural fermentation patterns without making major changes. It helps establish a reference point for what's typical for you i.e. your baseline levels.
- Reset – In this stage, you'll simplify your diet and lower your FODMAP intake to reduce fermentation and symptoms. The goal is to calm your gut and create a clean slate, making it easier to spot patterns later.
- Discovery – In the Discovery stage, you can complete the four food intolerance tests for FODMAPs lactose, fructose, sorbitol and inulin. These tests help you identify which of these common fermentable carbohydrates your body may struggle to digest. By monitoring your hydrogen and methane levels in response to each one, you gain clear insights into your specific sensitivities.
👩⚕️ FoodMarble Healthcare Options
If you're unsure about the underlying cause of your digestive symptoms or feel you would benefit from the guidance of a medical professional, the FoodMarble healthcare team can help connect you with a suitable clinician. Reach out to our team on healthcare@foodmarble.com
Updated on: 07/08/2025
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