Evidence & Methodology
Last reviewed: Oct 12, 2025
Contact: info@tryflourish.ai
Overview
Flourish AI provides educational guidance to help you discuss nutrition and symptoms with your clinician. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual responses to foods vary.
What’s on this page
How Flourish generates guidance
We combine:
Your inputs (logged meals, ingredients, portions, symptoms, timing)
Condition context (IBS, GERD, IBD)
Representative clinical evidence (guidelines, peer-reviewed reviews, and government/academic resources)
Outputs include Meal Trigger Scores, Symptom-Linked Trigger Analyses, and nutrition claims (e.g., “Low fiber”). Links to representative sources are provided below and from in-app “Evidence” links.
We do not disclose user data or proprietary model details here.
Trigger Scoring & Insights
Flourish estimates potential dietary triggers using two complementary methods:
A) Meal Trigger Score
A per-meal estimate (e.g., 0–10) of trigger likelihood for your selected condition(s), based on detected ingredients, preparation, portion, and condition-specific patterns from clinical literature. Additionally, users may add their food intolerances and allergies to their profile. If any of those allergens are identified in meals, the meal trigger scores is elevated accordingly to reflect compatibility with the user's dietary requirements. Over time, the score can adapt to your history if you consistently report reactions.
Representative sources for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
For individuals with IBS, symptoms are often triggered by the fermentation of certain poorly absorbed carbohydrates known as FODMAPs. Identifying meals high in FODMAPs is a key, evidence-based strategy for managing symptoms like gas, bloating, and pain.
ACG — Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2021)
NIDDK — Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2021)
Representative sources for Gastroesophageal reflux disease
In GERD, symptoms can be influenced by meal composition (e.g., high fat or acidity), volume, and timing, as these factors can affect the lower esophageal sphincter and stomach acid. While responses to specific foods vary, tracking these characteristics helps identify personal patterns.
ACG — Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (2022)
Dietary Intake in Relation to the Risk of Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review (2021). PubMed
Representative sources for Irritable Bowel Disease
While diet does not cause IBD, certain foods and meal components can worsen symptoms like pain and diarrhea, particularly during active flares or in individuals with intestinal narrowing. Common triggers often include high-fiber, high-fat, or spicy foods, though tolerance is highly individual.
B) Symptom-Linked Trigger Analysis (Insights)
When you log a symptom, Flourish reviews recent meals in proximity to that episode, surfaces candidate triggers (e.g., high-fat; FODMAP fructans), and generates hypotheses with brief rationale. It weighs repeated patterns from your history but remains correlational, not diagnostic.
Representative sources for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Clinical guidelines for IBS recommend a process of dietary trial and observation to identify personal triggers, as food sensitivities vary significantly between individuals. Systematically tracking food intake and symptoms is the primary method for discovering these unique patterns.
ACG — Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (2021).
NHS — Diet, lifestyle and medicines for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (2022)
Representative sources for Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Because GERD triggers are not universal, major clinical organizations recommend an individualized approach to dietary management. Patients are encouraged to identify and avoid only the specific foods that they personally associate with their reflux symptoms.
AGA — Implementing the AGA Institute Guidelines for GERD (2010). Medscape
Dietary Intake in Relation to the Risk of Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review (2021). PubMed
Representative sources for Irritable Bowel Disease
Health authorities recommend that people with IBD track their diet to identify foods that may worsen their symptoms, as tolerance can change and is highly personal. A food diary is a suggested tool for discovering these patterns to better manage flares and maintain nutrition.
NIDDK — Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Ulcerative Colitis (2020)
Systematic Review — Using Diet to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (2024). PubMed
Note: Correlation ≠ causation. Confirm changes with a clinician/dietitian.
Supplemental Analysis Notes
Flourish uses a combination of sources including the primary sources above as well as a number of proprietary models and supplemental sources within our knowledge base. Any additional references used in the analysis will be included in analysis reports under the citations section.
Nutrition Analysis (general)
Overview:
We estimate nutrition facts for meals on a per ingredient basis aggregating the data up to the meal levels accordingly. We leverage public data sources as well as proprietary models and curated references. The values displayed are best estimates given the inputs from the user. However, the actual verified values may vary across contexts such as preparation methods, specific variations in ingredients composition, etc.
Public data sources & tools:
Supplemental Analysis Notes
We also use proprietary models and curated references not listed here for nutrition facts estimations. These models are cross referenced against public data sources & tools.
Nutrition Analysis - Insight Reports
Overview:
Flourish looks for broadly accepted patterns of healthy, balanced eating and adapts them to your goals and digestive comfort. We benchmark meals against public standards (e.g., Dietary Guidelines for Americans) and show small, actionable tweaks—never judgment. Educational use only; not medical advice.
What we assess (at a glance):
Sodium: flag when patterns trend high vs. common limits.
Fiber: encourage fiber-rich patterns (with IBS nuance in the IBS section).
Protein: compare intake to reference ranges for most adults.
Added sugar: highlight when patterns exceed major guidance.
Saturated fat: contextualize intake within heart-health recommendations.
How we generate this (matches your weekly report flow):
We analyze your logged meals (ingredients, portions, timing) alongside your profile & goals.
We compare estimated nutrients to public reference ranges and surface 1) what’s going well, 2) priority improvements, and 3) gentle experiments you can try.
Reports are weekly and personalized: data-driven, specific (e.g., “higher sodium on 4/7 days—mostly dinner”), and framed as small steps.
Representative sources:
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 (USDA/HHS) — overall healthy patterns.
USDA FoodData Central — public nutrient database used for estimates.
American Heart Association — consumer guidance on sodium and saturated fat.
NIDDK (NIH) — digestive-health context for fiber and meal patterns.
We also use additional references not listed here. These references will be included in reports where used
Flora Chat
What it is. Flora Chat is an educational assistant. It uses your profile and goals, recognized GI context (e.g., IBS, GERD, IBD), and widely accepted nutrition guidance to help you understand your data and navigate the app. It is not a substitute for medical care.
How responses are generated:
Context assembly — We consider your selected conditions, goals, recent logs, and the screen you’re on.
Consensus guidance — We reference clinical society guidelines, government/academic pages, and high-quality reviews summarized on this page.
Drafting — A top foundational model generates a concise, supportive reply.
Citations footer — Depending on mode, the message ends with a small footer (see below).
Chat modes & what the header/footer shows:
General (default): The header shows “Sources & methodology”. Tapping opens this section for a plain-English explanation and quick links to topic citations (below).
Scientific References: The footer lists specific sources (e.g., ACG GERD Guideline (2022); NIDDK—GERD; WHO Sugars (2015)). Tapping opens those external sources directly.
We use representative, consensus sources; our broader knowledge base is curated and proprietary.
Quick links to topic citations:
Use these to jump to citations on this page:
General nutrition: Healthy patterns
IBS / FODMAPs: IBS overview · Onion & garlic (fructans) · Lactose · Polyols
GERD: GERD overview · High-fat meals · Capsaicin/spicy · Tomato sauces
IBD: IBD overview
Safety & limitations:
Flora Chat is educational and may not reflect your unique needs. It does not diagnose or provide treatment. For urgent or worsening symptoms, seek medical care.
How we generate tips
Goal. Provide quick, evidence-based, and daily personalized nutrition/lifestyle tips to support gastrointestinal wellness (e.g., IBS, GERD, IBD). Each tip aims to educate and encourage small, positive changes without giving medical advice.
What we use.
Established clinical guidelines and consensus recommendations (GI societies, nutrition authorities).
Trusted sources from government health agencies and peer-reviewed research.
User profile (conditions, preferences) and recent logs (meals, symptoms, routines).
A curated knowledge base of diet–symptom relationships (e.g., FODMAPs for IBS, common GERD triggers).
Ongoing expert review to keep tips accurate and relevant.
How it works.
Evidence curation: We maintain a library of concise tips mapped to high-quality sources (guidelines, NIH/WHO resources, recent reviews).
Context signals: Each day, the system reads your profile and recent activity (e.g., new symptom logs like bloating, recent meals, time-of-day patterns).
Tip selection: The system scores and selects tips most relevant to your current context (e.g., a recent bloating log may surface a gentle, soluble-fiber pacing tip).
Evidence access: Each tip includes a “Learn why” link that routes to this Evidence page at the relevant section, where representative sources are listed.
Personalization. Tips are re-prioritized daily based on your profile and latest logs (e.g., IBS-C users may see soluble-fiber guidance; recent late-night meals may surface reflux-timing tips).
Limitations. Tips are educational and not medical advice; for individualized care, consult a healthcare professional.
Sources for tips (by topic)
General healthy eating
A healthy diet emphasizes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, while limiting added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Such balanced eating patterns provide essential nutrients and help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Representative sources:
Fiber
Dietary fiber supports digestive health and regularity, helps prevent constipation, and may lower risks of heart disease and diabetes. Most adults are advised to consume roughly 25–38 grams of fiber daily; gradually increasing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and other high-fiber foods can improve overall GI function.
Representative sources:
IBS overview
For IBS, diet and lifestyle changes are often first-line. Increasing soluble fiber (e.g., psyllium or oats) can improve IBS constipation and overall symptoms, while a time-limited low-FODMAP trial may help identify personal trigger foods; personalization is essential because triggers vary among individuals.
Representative sources:
FODMAPs: Onion and garlic
Onions and garlic are high in fructans (FODMAPs) that can ferment in the gut and trigger gas and bloating for some people with IBS, so they are often restricted during the initial low-FODMAP phase.
Representative sources:
FODMAPs: Polyols
Polyols (sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol) are poorly absorbed and may draw water into the colon, triggering bloating or diarrhea in IBS; they occur naturally in certain fruits and in many “sugar-free” products.
Representative sources:
FODMAPs: Lactose
Lactose (milk sugar) can trigger IBS symptoms in lactose-intolerant individuals; using lactose-free dairy or limiting high-lactose foods helps many, though tolerance varies.
Representative sources:
GERD overview
Lifestyle changes can ease GERD symptoms: avoid large or late meals (finish ~3 hours before bed), identify personal trigger foods or drinks, and consider measures like weight management and head-of-bed elevation.
Representative sources:
High-fat meals (GERD)
High-fat meals can delay stomach emptying and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which may worsen reflux; choosing smaller portions and lower-fat cooking methods can help.
Representative sources:
Capsaicin / spicy (GERD)
Spicy foods containing capsaicin may irritate the esophagus and trigger heartburn in some individuals; tolerance varies, so moderating very spicy meals can reduce symptom flare-ups.
Representative sources:
Tomato / tomato sauces (GERD)
Tomatoes and tomato-based products are acidic and may aggravate reflux in some people; recognizing and adjusting for personal triggers (e.g., using less tomato sauce) can help manage symptoms.
Representative sources:
IBD overview
No single diet cures IBD, but balanced patterns (e.g., Mediterranean-style) that emphasize whole foods and limit ultra-processed items can support overall health; during flares or strictures, fiber texture and quantity may need adjustment.
Representative sources:
Sodium
Excess sodium intake is linked to higher blood pressure. Adults are advised to consume less than 2,300 mg sodium per day; reducing processed and restaurant foods can help meet this guideline.
Representative sources:
Added sugar
Added sugars provide calories with few nutrients and can contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues. Dietary guidance advises limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories.
Representative sources:
Saturated fat
Added sugars provide calories with few nutrients and can contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues. Dietary guidance advises limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories.
Representative sources:
Limitations & safety
Ingredient detection and restaurant recipes can vary; portion sizes affect outcomes.
Associations between foods and symptoms are hypotheses, not proof of causation.
Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis/treatment. Seek urgent care for alarming symptoms.
Reviews & Updates
Reviewed by our care plan team of registered dietitians & medical advisors.
How users can suggest a correction → contact: info@tryflourish.ai
Smart Eating, Better Living