Stool, digestion, and color

Your body is always producing waste. It takes an average of three days for food to move through your digestive system, so there’s always some waste moving through your body. Depending on what you eat and drink, your stool can take on many different appearances. While a sudden color change can be alarming, many types of stool are natural and simply a result of your diet.
One common variation in your stool is a change in color. Many people will notice that their stool appears green from time to time, for example. While this color change can be surprising, in most cases, it’s completely benign. There are several other factors to consider when you’re identifying the cause of green stool, including consistency and your recent diet.
Recognizing the signs and causes of green stool is important to identify why the color has changed and whether you need to reach out to your physician.
Signs and symptoms of green stool
Green stool is often the result of eating food that is heavily dyed green. These dyes aren’t broken down in the intestines, so they make their way into your stool.
Other symptoms connected to green stool may include:
Diarrhea
Compared to solid stools, diarrhea is more likely to be green. This is partially caused by the speed at which the waste has passed through your system. When stool moves through your intestines too quickly, your intestines don’t have time to reabsorb the bile that your gallbladder has added to the mix. This bile is green, and may make your diarrhea appear green as well.
Age
Green poop is more frequent in young children than in adults. Infants are especially prone to green stool while they are being fed formula or breastmilk. This is completely natural, and may be linked to their size and diet.
Changes in diet
Any significant change to your normal diet can cause a change in your stools. Eating a large amount of green food one day may lead to green stools several days later. Remember that food takes time to pass through your digestive system, so there may be a several-day delay between when your diet changes and when the change becomes visible in your stool.
Causes of green stool
There are many potential reasons why your stool is green. Food dye is a frequent cause of green stool in both children and adults. Other underlying causes may include:
Iron supplements
Iron supplements can sometimes cause stools to appear a dark green that is almost black. Not only is this normal, some physicians consider it to be a sign that the supplementation is effective. If the stool color bothers you, you can work with your physician to lower your dosage.
Diet rich in spinach
Dark green vegetables like spinach or broccoli can sometimes lead to green stools as well. These foods are rich in chlorophyll and fiber, so it’s not uncommon for large quantities of the green color to make it to your stool.
Intestinal illnesses
Finally, if you are feeling intestinal cramping or experiencing diarrhea, your green stool is likely caused by bile. This can be caused by a number of intestinal illnesses, from gastroenteritis to Crohn’s disease.

QUESTION
Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas. See AnswerDiagnosing causes of green stools
If you are concerned about your stool, you can talk to your physician. They will talk to you about your recent diet, any medications or supplements you’ve been taking, and your general digestive health. Green stool is rarely something concerning; even when it is caused by a stomach illness, it’s the illness itself that should be treated, not the stool.
Treatments for green stools
Green stools are generally harmless and will resolve on their own. If you want to treat green stools, there are a number of ways you can potentially return your stool to its standard shade.
If you’ve been eating large amounts of green vegetables, they are likely the cause. Reducing your spinach intake may return your stools to their normal color. Similarly, if you’ve started taking iron supplements, lowering your dose will likely help.
For short-term intestinal problems like gastroenteritis, your priority should be to keep yourself hydrated and comfortable. The illness should resolve by itself in a few days to a week and your stools will return to normal.
If your stomach problems continue for longer than a few days or you’re having trouble staying hydrated, you should reach out to your physician for medical treatment.
Latest Digestion News
Daily Health News
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Johns Hopkins Children's Center: "What can your child's poop color tell you?"
Merck Manual: "Gastroenteritis."
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children: "Green Poop."
Seattle Children's Hospital: "Stools - Unusual Color."
UC San Diego Health: "End Results: What color is your poop and other pressing fecal matters."
University of Michigan Medicine: "Bowel Function Anatomy."
UpToDate: "Patient education: Anemia caused by low iron in adults."
Top Why Is My Poop Green? Related Articles
How to Make Yourself Poop: 12 Remedies to Do at Home
12 remedies to do at home that may help ease constipation.Poop Type and Color
The different shapes and colors of your stool can tell you something about your health.How Can I Stop Blood in My Stool?
Bloody stools should be addressed, but there are many reasons for rectal bleeding that don’t warrant an emergency visit to the doctor.How Often Should You Poop?
Pooping, otherwise known as defecation or bowel movements, is the end result of digestion. According to experts, it's normal to have bowel movements as often as 3 times a day or as infrequently as 3 times per week.Is Green Poop a Sign of Infection?
Green poop may or may not be a sign of infection. The normal color of poop is brown, due to the bile pigment present in it. Any other color (green, red, black) needs attention. Abnormal colored poop may be due to changes in food habits, medicines or underlying medical causes.Stool Color, Changes in Color, Texture, and Form
Stool color changes can very from green, red, maroon, yellow, white, or black. Causes of changes of stool color can range from foods a person eats, medication, diseases or conditions, pregnancy, cancer, or tumors. Stool can also have texture changes such as greasy or floating stools. Stool that has a uncharacteristically foul odor may be caused by infections such as giardiasis or medical conditions.The Truth About Poop: Test Your IQ
Everyone does it, but no one talks about poop! What do changes in your poop mean? Take this quiz to learn about how your body functions!What Does Colon Cancer Poop Look Like?
Black, bright red, and pencil-thin stools are red flags for cancer of the bowel.What Does Green Stool Mean? Stool Color Chart
The normal color of the stool is brown, although green or greenish stool is also considered normal. The most common reasons stool turns green are eating green veggies, ingesting green food coloring and taking iron supplements.What Should I Do If My Poop Is Green?
Learn why your poop is green and what you can do to treat it.When Is Green Poop a Sign of Infection?
Green poop is a common issue, but sometimes it's a sign of infection. Learn green stool's signs, causes, and treatment options.When Should You Worry About Your Baby’s Poop?
You may need to worry about your baby’s poop when it is abnormal in terms of consistency, color, quantity and other factors.Why Is My Poop Black?
The dark or tar-like appearance of poop is a common condition. The medical term for black or tarry poop is Melena. It may happen due to simple reasons, such as a change in diet or certain medications. Sometimes, however, black poop may signify underlying medical conditions.