Which Gut Health Test is Best for You? A Side-by-Side Comparison

With more people turning to gut health as a foundation for their wellbeing, it’s no surprise that interest in gut testing has skyrocketed. But how do you choose the right test — especially when there are so many different kinds out there?

In this guide, we’ll break down the main types of gut health tests available in South Africa, from clinical PCR panels to at-home microbiome kits. We'll also help you decide which option is best for you — and explain how Biomine Health offers a uniquely local solution.

What Types of Gut Health Tests Are Available?

Gut health testing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here are the most common options:

1. Stool DNA or RNA based Microbiome Tests

These are the most comprehensive tests for analysing the diversity and composition of your gut bacteria. They look at your microbial community through sequencing of the RNA or DNA of the microorganism that live in your gut, to provide personalised insights.

• Used by: Biomine Health, Viome, Zoe

• Best for: Long-term gut optimisation, personalised nutrition, tracking dysbiosis

2. Breath Tests

Used to detect gases produced by bacteria in your small intestine, breath tests are often used for diagnosing SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or intolerances.

• Not suitable for full microbiome analysis

• Must be done through a clinic

• Best for: Suspected overgrowth symptoms

3. PCR Tests for Gut Infections

If you visit a doctor for persistent gut symptoms, they may order a PCR panel to screen for specific pathogens like:

• Clostridioides difficile

• Salmonella

• E. coli

• Norovirus

• Giardia

These are extremely useful for diagnosing acute infections, but they:

• Don’t look at your overall microbiome

• Don’t provide lifestyle or dietary recommendations

• Require a doctor and lab facility

• Best for: Urgent medical cases, not suitable for general health optimisation

4. Food Intolerance Blood Panels

These tests are sometimes included in gut health conversations, but they’re quite different from microbiome testing. Most food intolerance panels measure IgG antibodies, which may reflect food exposure rather than true intolerance.

• May offer insight into patterns of food exposure

• Do not assess your gut microbiome

• Not intended to measure microbial balance or diversity

While some people find these tests helpful as a starting point for dietary changes, they don’t provide a full picture of gut microbial health, and results should ideally be interpreted with professional guidance

How Do the Top Gut Microbiome Tests Compare?

Here’s a side-by-side look at some of the most popular at-home microbiome tests — including our own.

	Biomine Health 🇿🇦	Viome 🇺🇸	ZOE 🇬🇧/🇺🇸
Local relevance	South African focused	US-focused	UK/US-focused
Turnaround time	A couple of weeks	A couple of weeks	Not available in SA
Shipping hassle	Local logistics	Distributed by Next Biosciences	Not available in SA
Personalised insights	Yes	Yes	Yes (ZOE Scores)
Practitioner support	Optional consult	No	No
Weight & metabolic focus	Optional coaching	No	Yes – strong focus
Price in South Africa	Affordable	Expensive	Expensive

What Makes Biomine Health Different?

Biomine Health test is built by South Africa's top microbiome scientists and AI engineers. The accuracy of Biomine Health's predictions and personalised recommendations is incredible high - matching international standards. Most gut health tests available in South Africa are built for overseas populations, using datasets that don't reflect our unique lifestyle, diet, or microbial diversity. At Biomine Health we are bridging that gap.

Our test combines cutting-edge international analysis with a deep understanding of the South African context — as we’re actively building a local dataset to make our insights even more relevant over time.

With every test, you’ll get:

• An easy-to-use home collection kit

• A detailed, science-backed report

• Practical actions and dietary recommendations

• Optional follow-up with our doctors or dietitians

  
  

💡 Whether you’re dealing with bloating, skin issues, fatigue, or just want to optimise your gut, Biomine is your local step forward in personalised gut health.

Final Thoughts — So Which Test Is Right for You?

If you're facing a serious gut infection, your doctor may need to order a PCR test. If you're trying to understand your microbiome for long-term health, a DNA-based stool test like Biomine is your best bet.

We created Biomine because we couldn’t find a test that worked for South Africans, by South Africans. Now you can skip the guesswork and discover what your gut is really telling you — without leaving your home.

Ready to Try It?

Order your Biomine Gut Health Kit today and get your personalised report to start feeling and being your best.

Order Your Kit Now

About the Author

Diego Castillo, PhD is the Co-founder and CTO of Biomine Health. He holds a doctorate in microbiome science and leads Biomine’s research into how the gut microbiome affects digestion, mental health, weight management and longevity. Diego is passionate about making microbiome testing accessible, accurate, and actionable for everyone — starting right here in South Africa.