The Human Microbiome: How Your Gut Bacteria Shape Health


The human microbiome is a bustling ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms in the gut that shape digestion, immunity, mood, and disease risk. These microbes assist in breaking down fiber, synthesizing essential vitamins, and steering inflammatory responses, while the gut-brain axis links microbial metabolites to mood and cognitive health. To nurture a healthier human microbiome, practical steps include eating a diverse, plant-rich diet rich in fiber, incorporating fermented foods, minimizing ultra-processed items, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and prioritizing sleep and stress management. InnerBuddies provides a white-label Gut Health Operating System that lets brands power microbiome testing products with a modular, scalable foundation—built to support the human microbiome at scale. Central to the platform is the Gut Microbiome Health Index, a 0–100 score that reflects overall gut microbiome health and is backed by an exclusive IP deal with EAFIT University in Colombia. The system also presents Bacteria Abundances, including a top 40 list that lets you compare your microbiome against a healthy reference, and Bacteria Functions, which categorize metabolic activities as positive or negative and show how you stack up against the healthy cohort. For a closer look at these capabilities, you can explore the InnerBuddies microbiome test and see how it translates to real-world insights. The platform’s Target Group analysis dives deeper into how the human microbiome supports specific goals, covering topics like Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, Power Sport, Skin & Hair Health, and more. Personalization is at the core: nutrition advice is generated by comparing an individual’s 3-day food diaries with stool sample data, drawing on a large database of how foods influence the gut microbiome. That means tailored guidance on both diet and supplementation, including personalized probiotic and prebiotic recommendations designed to align with your unique microbiome composition and objectives. If you’re looking to stay engaged, the InnerBuddies subscription offers ongoing insights with the InnerBuddies Gut Health Membership. Whether you’re a consumer seeking actionable microbiome insights or a business pursuing a white-label solution, InnerBuddies has flexible options. All B2B capabilities are also available directly to consumers, enabling direct-to-consumer testing and ongoing support. If you’re exploring collaboration, learn more about becoming a partner at the InnerBuddies B2B partner program.