In This ArticleView AllIn This Article5 Reasons Why Your Poop Is GreenWhy Brown Is the Normal ColorWhen Should You Be Worried About Colored Poop?When to See a Health Care ProviderFAQs
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
5 Reasons Why Your Poop Is Green
Why Brown Is the Normal Color
When Should You Be Worried About Colored Poop?
When to See a Health Care Provider
FAQs
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If you’ve ever answered nature’s call and encountered a mysterious, unexpected shade of green, you’re not alone. While green poop is often due to dietary factors like eatingleafy greensor green-colored foods, sometimes rapid transit through your digestive system doesn’t allow enough time for the bile pigment to be fully broken down and absorbed, resulting in a distinctly green hue.
Here, we explore why your poop is green and answer frequently asked questions, like should you be concerned when you pass green stool? Why is brown the usual color? And when should you see your doctor? Keep reading to learn more.
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1. You’re Eating a Lot of Green Foods
Eating too many green foods, whether with food dyes or naturally colored, can turn your poop green. More specifically, leafy greens like spinach, kale andSwiss chardare rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment that can temporarily tint your stool, perMedlinePlus, a resource of the National Library of Medicine. While it might be surprising, it’s usually harmless and a sign that your body is making the most of those nutritious greens.
Sarah Robbins, M.D., MSC, FRCPC, a gastroenterologist and the founder of Well Sunday, tellsEatingWell, “Consuming large amounts of green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach or kale, can result in green stools. Food coloring and certain dyes in processed foods or drinks can also change stool color.”
2. You May Have Rapid Transit Time
A rapid transit time could happen due to different causes, such as food poisoning, gastrointestinal conditions and the use of laxatives. It’s important to discuss this with your health care provider to identify the root cause and determine whether it’s a concern or not.
3. You’re Taking Medications or Supplements
4. You May Have a Bacterial Infection
5. You May Have a Functional Gut Disorder
Digestive conditions, likeirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)or other functional gut disorders, can influence the color and consistency of your stool. These disorders can impact how your intestines move and process food, leading to changes in poop color.
“Functional disorders like IBS might occasionally result in green stools, especially during episodes of diarrhea or rapid transit,” states Robbins.
Poop’s brown color traces back to a substance called bilirubin, a component of your bile. This yellow compound is formed when your body breaks down old red blood cells, perStatPearls. As bilirubin travels through your liver and gallbladder, it transforms into a stercobilin—a compound responsible for giving stool its brown shade.
“Stool is typically different shades of brown from bile mixing with stool as it travels through the healthy gastrointestinal tract,” explainsSupriya Rao, M.D., a board-certified physician in gastroenterology and lifestyle medicine physician.
Pale-Colored Poop
If your stool appears pale or clay-colored, it could indicate a problem with yourliver, gallbladder or bile ducts, notesMedlinePlus. Bile gives your poop that brown hue, so disrupting its flow might lead to the absence of color.
“Light-colored or clay-colored stool can indicate a lack of bile. This may be due to a blockage of bile ducts, liver diseases or issues with the gallbladder, like gallstones,” says Robbins.
Red or Black Stool
If you find a surprising red or black shade in the toilet, it could signify bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract. According to theNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, red poop might suggest bleeding lower in your digestive system, possibly from hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Conversely, black stool could indicate higher bleeding from ulcers, polyps or gastritis.
“If you have red or black stools, see a physician to evaluate for potential intestinal bleeding from hemorrhoids, ulcers, inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and even colon cancer,” advises Rao.
What the Appearance of Your Poop Can Tell You About Your Health
Robbins says, “Certain signs and symptoms related to stool may indicate underlying gastrointestinal conditions that necessitate a visit to a primary care physician or a specialist.”
Robbin notes that the following signs and symptoms may indicate an underlying condition:
The Bottom Line
Green poop is not uncommon and is often due to dietary choices, like consuming leafy greens or foods with green coloring. Rapid digestion can also prevent bile pigment from breaking down completely, leading to a green tint.
Other causes include certain medications, bacterial infections, gut disorders and green food dye. If you experience other symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort along with your green poop, or it lasts longer than a few days, visit your health care provider for proper assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, green poop isn’t a cause for alarm. It can often be attributed to dietary choices, such as consuming leafy greens or foods with green food coloring. However, talk to your doctor if the green color and other symptoms persist.
If your green poop is due to dietary factors, there’s usually no need to try to change it actively. However, if you’re experiencing discomfort, such as diarrhea or cramping, consider adjusting your diet and seek medical guidance.
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