Stool Analysis Sep 6, 2026
Undigested Food in Stool: What It Means and When to Worry
Undigested food in your stool is usually harmless fibre. Here's when it flags celiac, pancreatic insufficiency, or SIBO, and what to do.
The PoopCheck Blog
Expert articles on gut health, stool analysis, and digestive wellness. Learn how your poop can tell you about your health.
Gut Health Aug 30, 2026
Menopause and Gut Microbiome: Why Digestion Shifts at Midlife
94% of perimenopausal and menopausal women report digestive symptoms. Here's how estrogen loss reshapes the gut microbiome and what actually helps.
Research Aug 23, 2026
Butyrate's 'Intestinal Memory': What the 2026 Nature Study Found
A July 2026 Nature Communications study shows butyrate from fiber leaves a lasting anti-inflammatory imprint on gut cells. What that means for your gut.
Research Aug 16, 2026
Maternal Gut Microbiome and Baby Eczema: 2026 Study Findings
A 2026 Nature study of 714 mothers found lower maternal gut microbiome diversity predicts baby eczema in the first year. What that means for parents.
Gut Health Aug 12, 2026
Sleep and Gut Health: How Bad Sleep Rewires Your Microbiome
Sleep and gut health are linked: poor sleep lowers microbiome diversity and shifts bacterial balance. What 2026 research shows, and what to do.
Nutrition Aug 9, 2026
Does Too Much Protein Cause Constipation?
High-protein diets often cause hard, difficult stool by displacing fibre and pulling water from the colon. The mechanism, the data, and how to fix it.
Research Aug 2, 2026
Gut Microbiome Predicts Frailty in Older Women: 2026 SUPERB Study
A 2026 Nature Communications study of 2,081 Swedish women links gut microbiome diversity to frailty, falls, and mortality, replicated in China.
Research Jul 26, 2026
Do Artificial Sweeteners Hurt Your Gut? 2026 Cambridge Evidence
A 2026 Cambridge study tested 39 sweeteners on 25 gut bacteria. Most altered growth, and mixing with common drugs made it worse. What to make of it.
Research Jul 19, 2026
Can Your Gut Bacteria Reveal Your Biological Age?
Microbiome aging clocks aim to estimate biological age from a stool sample. Here is what the 2026 evidence shows — and what it still cannot do.
Research Jul 12, 2026
Stopping Ozempic: The Gut Microbiome Behind Weight Regain
A 2026 study links post-Ozempic weight regain to gut microbiome dysbiosis, dropping bile acids, and rebounding brain appetite signals. Here's what to know.
Research Jul 5, 2026
Sugar-Free Diet and Gut Health: What ENDO 2026 Actually Found
A new ENDO 2026 mouse study found a sucrose-free low-fat diet triggered gut inflammation, insulin resistance, and fatty liver signs. Here is what it means.
Research Jun 28, 2026
Imidazole Propionate: The Gut Bacteria Molecule That Drives Heart Disease
A 2025 Nature study identified imidazole propionate (ImP), a gut microbiota metabolite, as a direct driver of atherosclerosis. Here is what it means.
Research Jun 21, 2026
168 Everyday Chemicals Are Harming Gut Bacteria, 2026 Study Finds
A 2025 Nature Microbiology study tested 1,076 common chemicals and found 168 harm gut bacteria, with some driving antibiotic resistance. Here is what it means.
Research Jun 14, 2026
Akkermansia Cut Weight Regain by 63% in a 2026 Trial
A May 2026 Nature Medicine trial found pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila cut post-diet weight regain from 3.2 kg to 1.2 kg. Here is what it means.
Research Jun 7, 2026
CAG-170: The Hidden Gut Bacterium That Tracks Good Health
A 2026 study found CAG-170, a hidden gut bacterium, is consistently higher in healthy people across 39 countries. Here's what the discovery means.
Research May 31, 2026
AI Stool Test Detects 90% of Colorectal Cancers: What the Study Means
A new AI stool test reads gut bacteria at subspecies level and detects 90% of colorectal cancers. Here's what the evidence shows and what it doesn't.
Nutrition May 25, 2026
Postbiotics Explained: What They Are and What the Evidence Shows
Postbiotics are beneficial compounds from inactivated microbes — no live bacteria needed. Here's the ISAPP definition and what the evidence shows.
Nutrition May 24, 2026
Apple Cider Vinegar for Gut Health: What the Research Actually Shows
Does apple cider vinegar help gut health? The clinical evidence on gastric emptying, the microbiome, the probiotic claim, and the real side effects.
Research May 23, 2026
Microplastics in Stool: What 2026 Research Actually Shows
What research shows about microplastics in human stool: Schwabl's pilot study, IBD correlations, gut-microbiome effects, and how to lower exposure.
Gut Health May 22, 2026
Antibiotics and Gut Microbiome Recovery: How Long It Actually Takes
How long the gut microbiome takes to recover after antibiotics, which species don't come back, and the evidence-based ways to help it bounce back faster.
Conditions May 21, 2026
Narrow, Thin & Ribbon-Like Stool: When to Worry
Narrow, pencil-thin or ribbon-like stool is usually benign — but a lasting change in stool caliber deserves attention. What the evidence actually says.
Research May 20, 2026
Leaky Gut: What the Science Actually Says (and Doesn't)
Increased intestinal permeability is real and measurable. 'Leaky gut syndrome' is not a recognized diagnosis. Here's where the evidence stands in 2026.
Stool Analysis May 19, 2026
Yellow Stool: What It Means and When to See a Doctor
Most yellow stool is from diet or fast transit — but greasy, floating, foul-smelling yellow stool can signal malabsorption. Here's how to tell which is which.
Gut Health May 18, 2026
Bloating: Causes, Triggers, and What Actually Reduces It
Bloating causes and remedies, decoded: food triggers, IBS, SIBO, motility, and the diet, peppermint oil, and biofeedback evidence that actually works.
Nutrition May 17, 2026
Does Bovine Colostrum Help Gut Health? What the Evidence Says
Bovine colostrum for gut health: what clinical trials actually show, who benefits, dosing, allergies, and where the hype outruns the science.
Nutrition May 16, 2026
Magnesium for Constipation: Which Form Actually Works
Magnesium oxide, citrate, hydroxide, glycinate: which works for constipation, the evidence-based doses, and when to avoid them.
Conditions May 15, 2026
SIBO Explained: Causes, Breath Tests, and What Actually Treats It
SIBO causes bloating, gas, and altered stools when bacteria overgrow the small intestine. Here's how breath tests work and what rifaximin and diet actually do.
Conditions May 9, 2026
Ozempic Constipation: Why GLP-1 Drugs Slow Your Bowels
Ozempic constipation is real and dose-dependent. Here's how GLP-1 drugs slow gastric emptying, the trial-reported rates, what to do, and red flags.
Research May 8, 2026
26 Stool & Gut Microbiome Datasets (2026): A Researcher's Index
A complete index of 26 stool, microbiome, and Bristol-scale image datasets for ML and clinical research — including the largest annotated set in existence.
Gut Health May 7, 2026
Why Does Walking Make You Poop? The Science
Walking and aerobic exercise speed colonic transit and cut constipation risk by 31%. Why movement makes you poop — and what runner's trots actually are.
Gut Health May 6, 2026
Does Drinking Water Make You Poop?
Your colon reclaims about 1.5 litres of water a day. Why water makes you poop, whether too little causes constipation, and how much you actually need.
Nutrition May 5, 2026
Fermented Foods vs Probiotics: Which Is Better for Your Gut?
Fermented foods raise microbiome diversity and lower inflammation; probiotic supplements work for specific strains and conditions. Here's how to choose.
Conditions May 4, 2026
Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care, and When to Worry
Diarrhea causes range from 24-hour viruses to IBD. Here's what triggers it, evidence-based home care, when loperamide helps vs hurts, and the red flags.
Gut Health May 3, 2026
Do Colonics Actually Work? What the Evidence Says
Do colonics work? Major medical institutions say no. Evidence shows no proven benefit and risks ranging from cramping to bowel perforation.
Conditions May 2, 2026
Constipation Remedies: What Actually Works (and Red Flags)
Constipation remedies that actually work, by evidence: fiber, fluid, PEG laxatives, and the red flags that mean you need a workup, not a remedy.
Gut Health Apr 30, 2026
Why Coffee Makes You Poop: The Gastrocolic Reflex Explained
Coffee makes you poop because chlorogenic acids and gastrin trigger the gastrocolic reflex within 4 minutes. Even decaf works.
Stool Analysis Apr 29, 2026
Why Does My Poop Smell So Bad? What Stool Odor Actually Means
Stool smell is mostly hydrogen sulfide from gut bacteria fermenting protein. Here's what foul, sweet, or metallic odors mean — and when to see a doctor.
Conditions Apr 27, 2026
The Low FODMAP Diet: A Practical Evidence-Based Guide for IBS
An evidence-based guide to the low FODMAP diet: what it is, the 3 phases, who it helps, what to eat, and risks of staying on it long term.
Nutrition Apr 26, 2026
Fibermaxxing Explained: Is the High-Fiber TikTok Trend Safe?
Fibermaxxing is the TikTok habit of pushing fiber to 30g+ a day. Here's what the science actually shows, the real benefits, and who should skip it.
Gut Health Apr 25, 2026
How Long Does Food Take to Digest? A Transit-Time Guide
How long food takes to digest by stage — stomach, small intestine, colon — plus the factors that speed your transit time up or slow it down.
Research Apr 24, 2026
Gut Microbiome Tests: Are They Worth the Money in 2026?
An evidence-based look at gut microbiome tests in 2026 — what Viome, ZOE, and Ombre can and cannot tell you, and when to save your money.
Research Apr 22, 2026
The Gut-Brain Axis: How Your Microbiome Shapes Mood and Anxiety
How the gut-brain axis links your microbiome to mood and anxiety, via the vagus nerve, serotonin, short-chain fatty acids, and the HPA stress axis.
Nutrition Apr 21, 2026
Probiotics vs Prebiotics: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?
Probiotics are live microbes; prebiotics are the fibers that feed them. Here's how each works, food sources, and when a supplement is actually worth it.
Stool Analysis Apr 20, 2026
Black Stool: Benign Causes vs Medical Emergencies
Most black stool is from iron, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries — not bleeding. Here's how to tell benign causes from melena and when to get to the ER.
Nutrition Apr 20, 2026
Fiber and Stool Consistency: How Each Type Shapes Your Poop
How soluble vs insoluble fiber shapes stool consistency, daily intake targets, best food sources, and why ramping up fiber too fast causes gas.
Stool Analysis Apr 20, 2026
Why Does My Stool Float? Causes, Red Flags, and When to Worry
Floating stool is usually harmless gas, not fat. Here's how to tell benign causes from malabsorption red flags like steatorrhea, and when to see a doctor.
Conditions Apr 10, 2026
Do I Have Colon Cancer? Symptoms and When to See a Doctor
Worried your symptoms might be colon cancer? Learn the red-flag signs, common non-serious causes, and when to see a doctor versus wait it out.
Stool Analysis Mar 26, 2026
Mucus in Stool: What's Normal and When to Worry
A little mucus in stool is normal — but a lot can signal IBS, IBD, or infection. Learn what's typical, what's not, and when to call your doctor.
Nutrition Mar 14, 2026
Long-Term Capsaicin Effects on Gut Health and Inflammation
Does eating spicy food every day help or hurt your gut? Explore how long-term capsaicin intake shapes your microbiome, gut barrier, and inflammation.
Nutrition Mar 9, 2026
Top Fermented Drinks to Naturally Boost Gut Health
Kefir, kombucha, beet kvass — discover the best fermented drinks for gut health, how they work, and practical tips for adding them to your routine.
Stool Analysis Mar 6, 2026
Green Stool in Infants: What It Means for Bowel Health
Green poop in your baby's diaper? Learn what causes it, when it's normal, what research suggests about gut development, and when to call the pediatrician.
Stool Analysis Apr 10, 2025
What Your Poop Color Means: A Complete Guide
Learn what different stool colors indicate about your health. From brown to green, yellow, black, and red — understand what's normal and when to see a doctor.
Bristol Stool Scale Apr 8, 2025
Bristol Stool Chart: All 7 Types Explained
The Bristol Stool Scale classifies stool into 7 types. Learn what each type means for your digestive health and which types indicate a healthy gut.
Gut Health Apr 6, 2025
10 Evidence-Based Ways to Improve Your Gut Health
Discover 10 proven strategies to improve your gut health naturally. From diet changes to stress management, learn what actually works.
Stool Analysis Feb 23, 2025
How Often Should You Poop? 3 Facts You Need to Know
Is pooping daily a must? Learn the real range of healthy bowel frequency, constipation vs. diarrhea red flags, and lifestyle tips for a happier gut.
Stool Analysis Jan 28, 2025
Why Is My Poop Green? What Stool Color Really Means
Green poop, black poop, yellow stool — what do the colors actually mean? A practical guide to decoding stool color changes and when to worry.
Conditions Jan 22, 2025
IBS: Why It's the Plague of the Third Millennium
IBS affects up to 15% of people worldwide. Learn the symptoms, subtypes, triggers, and evidence-based ways to manage this chronic gut disorder.