A new study in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology has demonstrated that a first-of-its-kind breath test device from FoodMarble, used as part of an app-guided program, enables clinically meaningful reductions in common digestive symptoms after only a single-week of dietary change.
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The study, led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, involved participants following a self-led program using the FoodMarble app. It was shown that the app successfully helped individuals to reduce their intake of FODMAPs, which are highly fermentable foods. This led to notable reductions in their fermentation levels, as measured using the device. This in turn corresponded with reductions in their digestive symptoms. This indicates that our ability to digest different types of food can be conveniently measured from the air we breathe.
“The low FODMAP diet has been shown to be effective but can lead to overly restrictive eating patterns and reduced dietary diversity. This shorter-term and less extreme intervention from FoodMarble has produced impressive results and the breath data could act as a useful guide for the patient.” Dr Kyle Staller MD, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
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The device measures levels of hydrogen and methane on the breath. These molecules are produced when food hasn’t been fully digested. The food is instead fermented by our gut bacteria, producing these molecules, which can accumulate provoking symptoms. These gases also diffuse into the blood and travel to the lungs, which means they can be measured on the breath.
A Scalable, Low-Cost Tool for an Overburdened Healthcare System
Traditional low FODMAP programs, while effective, are often resource-intensive, requiring significant dietitian input over several weeks. With over 40 million Americans experiencing Irritable Bowel Syndrome and just 32,000 dietitians nationwide, the demand for accessible, evidence-based care far exceeds supply. Healthcare spending for gastrointestinal conditions surpasses $135 billion annually—more than for heart disease or trauma—yet access remains uneven, especially in rural, minority, and low-income communities.
This new study demonstrates that meaningful improvements can be achieved in just one week of dietary change using a structured, self-guided protocol. It also shows that breath data can track real-time responses, helping patients understand their unique digestive patterns and make informed dietary decisions. This builds on a previous FoodMarble study at Johns Hopkins Medicine, that supports remote patient monitoring (RPM) as a scalable home-based solution for digestive health, to expand access and eliminate common care barriers, such as travel and wait times.
“The demand we’re seeing from the medical community and from patients validates the scale of the need in digestive health. Our technology empowers the patient to better understand how their digestion works and achieve relief from symptoms from home” Aonghus Shortt, CEO, FoodMarble
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Source- PR Newswire
