Have you ever been a little scared when you go to the toilet and see that the color of your poop has changed? Sometimes when we see poop that is a different color, like green, yellow, or red, we immediately think, "Oh, am I sick?" But in reality, most of the time this is caused by something we ate or drank the day before. However, there are times when that is not always the case. So today, let's talk about what the color of our poop really says about our health.
Why is poop usually brown?
Let's start this story from the beginning. Have you ever wondered why our poop is usually brown? This is a very interesting story.
Simply put, the main reason for this is the bile in our body. Our liver produces this bile. This bile is a green-yellow liquid. This bile helps a lot in digesting the food we eat, especially fatty foods.
As this bile travels through our digestive system, it combines with the good bacteria (normal gut flora) in our intestines and undergoes a chemical process. It is as a result of that process that stool gets its characteristic brown color. So, brown color is a good sign that your digestive system is working properly.
So, what do the different colors say?
Okay, now let's see what each color says. While most of the time these are caused by food and drink, sometimes they can be a clue to a certain health condition.
| Stool color | Possible causes (diet and health conditions) |
|---|---|
| Green | Food and drink: Eating a lot of green vegetables like spinach and kale. It can also be caused by cakes, icing, and drinks with green food coloring. Other causes: Sometimes when food moves through the intestines too quickly (such as during diarrhea), bile doesn't have enough time to turn brown. So it can come out green. Some stomach infections can also cause this condition. |
| Red | Food and drink: This is commonly seen when drinking beetroot, tomato soup, and red soft drinks. Reasons to be concerned: This could be a sign of bleeding from the lower digestive tract (colon, rectum). Bright red blood can be caused by conditions like hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. |
| Black | Food and medications: This is very common in people taking iron supplements. It can also be caused by eating a lot of fruits like blueberries, or by taking some stomach medications (e.g. Pepto-Bismol®). Reasons to be concerned: Tar-like, dark black stools can be a sign of bleeding from the upper digestive tract (stomach, small intestine). The blood from there gets digested and turns black as it travels through the intestines. This condition is called melaena. |
| Yellow / Greasy | Food and drink: It can be caused by eating a lot of foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots and sweet potatoes. It can also be caused by eating foods high in fat. Other causes: When the body is unable to absorb fat properly (malabsorption), stools can be yellow, oily, and foul-smelling. This can also be seen in conditions such as gallbladder or pancreas problems, and celiac disease. |
| White / Clay-colored / Gray | Medications: Some diarrhea medications (like barium) can cause this temporarily. Reasons to be concerned: This is a sign to be concerned about. The brown color of the stool could be a sign that there is a blockage in the bile flow to the intestines. This condition can be caused by a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts. |
The most important thing is, don't worry about a change in the color of your poop once or twice. Think about what you've eaten and drunk. Once that food and drink leaves your body, your poop usually turns brown again.
A word about the color of young children's stools
The color of the stool in newborns and young children can be very different from that of adults, and that's normal.
- Newborn: In the first few days, dark green-black, sticky stool (meconium) is passed.
- Breastfed babies: Usually have yellow, mustard-like, and slightly watery stools.
- Children who drink formula milk: have a slightly thicker, light brown or yellow-brown color.
So if you're concerned about the color of your little one's poop, the best thing to do is talk to your family doctor or pediatrician.
When should we see a doctor?
Okay, now you have a basic understanding. But at what point should we think, "This is not just something else, we need to see a doctor"?
When to seek immediate medical advice:
1. If the stool is bright red or pitch black: This could be a sign of bleeding, so it's important to find out the exact cause. Be sure to be concerned about black stool, especially if you're not taking anything like iron supplements.
2. If the stool is white or clay-colored: This could be a liver or gallbladder problem, so see a doctor immediately.
3. If the color change is accompanied by these symptoms:
- A severe stomach ache
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Dizziness (if you feel dizzy)
- Diarrhea lasting several days
- Unintentional weight loss
Remember, if you have any doubts or fears, it is better and safer to consult your family doctor than to search for information on the internet. There is no reason to be afraid, it just shows that you care about your health.
Take-Home Message
- Normal, healthy stool is brown in color. This color can vary from light brown to dark brown.
- Often, the color of our stool changes due to things we eat or drink (e.g. beetroot, spinach) or certain medications we take (e.g. iron tablets). This usually resolves within a day or two.
- Green stool is usually nothing to worry about. It can be caused by green vegetables or food moving through the intestines too quickly.
- The most concerning symptoms are red and tarry stools. These can be signs of bleeding in the digestive tract, so it's important to see a doctor immediately.
- Also, if white or clay-colored stools continue to pass, that is also a condition that should be seen by a doctor.
- If you have any concerns or doubts about the color of your stool, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it.
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