Same Sample, Different Results
Interest in gut health has exploded in recent years. We now know that the trillions of bacteria living in our digestive system play an important role in digestion, immunity, and even mental health. That excitement has helped fuel a growing market of at-home gut microbiome tests that promise to analyze your stool and tell you how “healthy” your gut is. But new research suggests those tests may not be as reliable as many people assume. Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently ran an unusual experiment. They created a carefully prepared, well-mixed stool sample and sent identical portions of it to seven different at-home gut testing companies. The companies did not know they were part of a study. The results were published in Communications Biology . When the reports came back, they did not agree. Some companies reported hundreds of bacterial species, while others reported fewer than a hundred. Some described the sample as diverse and balanced....