new Devices Promise Gut Health insights by Analyzing Stool,But Experts Question Necessity
SAN FRANCISCO – A growing market of at-home devices is offering consumers detailed analysis of their stool,promising personalized insights into gut health. These cameras and testing kits aim too identify bacteria and assess digestive function,but health professionals are raising concerns about whether the technology is truly beneficial-or perhaps harmful-given the current rise in colon cancer diagnoses,particularly among younger adults.
The surge in popularity of these “poop-tracking” tools coincides with a sharp increase in colon cancer cases in individuals under 50, a trend many experts link to diets high in ultra-processed foods. Some critics suggest companies are capitalizing on anxieties surrounding gut health and disease prevention.
“There are more conversations about actually looking at what is inside the toilet bowl,” says registered dietitian Jenna Sauceda, highlighting a potential for over-focus on stool appearance.She cautions against striving for an unrealistic “big, beautiful, smooth, snake-like poop” as a health benchmark, fearing these devices could fuel obsession with an “ideal gut.”
Ashley Oswald, a Minneapolis-based registered dietitian, points out the rapidly changing nature of gut bacteria. “The bacteria in stool changes within two days of a new diet,” she notes, questioning the value of frequent, detailed data. “Is it even that useful to know about the bacteria in your stool when it could all change within two days? we’re losing sight of the basics when we chase trends.” Oswald emphasizes the importance of foundational gut health practices like adequate fiber intake and regular physical activity.
Sauceda herself utilizes the Bristol chart to track her bowel movements, advocating for simple self-assessment. “I always say that looking at your poop is like a report card: it’s a good way for us to know what is going on inside our gut,” she explains. “You don’t always feel differently when you take a probiotic, but I definitely feel different if I don’t poop every day.” She stresses that sophisticated technology isn’t required for basic gut health monitoring: “You don’t need a fancy camera to look at your poop.”
