Why is my Poop Green?

It’s not uncommon to experience a change in the color of your stool from time to time. In fact, many people may have noticed that their poop turns green occasionally. While this may be alarming for some, it’s usually nothing to worry about. In this article, we’ll explore the different reasons why your poop may be green and what you can do about it.

What Causes Green Poop?

There are a few different factors that can cause your stool to appear green:

Diet The most common cause of green poop is the food you eat. If you’ve recently consumed a lot of leafy green vegetables like spinach or kale, it can cause your poop to turn green. This is because these foods contain a lot of chlorophyll, which can give your stool a green tint.

Other foods that can cause green poop include:

Green food coloring: If you’ve eaten foods that have been artificially colored with green food dye, it can tint your stool green. Iron-rich foods: Foods that are high in iron, like red meat, can cause your poop to turn green. Blueberries: Blueberries contain a pigment called anthocyanin that can give your stool a greenish-blue tint. Medications Some medications can also cause your poop to turn green. Iron supplements, for example, can cause your stool to take on a greenish hue. This is because the iron isn’t absorbed by the body and ends up in the stool.

Other medications that can cause green poop include:

Antibiotics: Certain antibiotics can alter the balance of bacteria in your gut, leading to changes in the color of your stool. Laxatives: Some laxatives contain magnesium, which can cause your stool to turn green. Health Conditions In rare cases, green poop can be a sign of an underlying health condition. Here are some of the conditions that can cause your poop to turn green:

Celiac disease: People with celiac disease are unable to digest gluten, which can cause their stool to turn green. Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause diarrhea and green poop. Malabsorption: If your body isn’t able to absorb nutrients properly, it can cause your poop to turn green.

When Should You Be Concerned?

In most cases, green poop is nothing to worry about. However, there are some situations where you should see a doctor:

If you have persistent green poop: If your stool has been consistently green for more than a few days, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. This could be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you have other symptoms: If you’re experiencing other symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, or diarrhea, it’s important to see a doctor. These could be signs of a more serious health condition. If you’ve recently started a new medication: If you’ve recently started taking a new medication and your poop has turned green, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They may be able to switch you to a different medication or adjust your dosage.

What Can You Do About Green Poop?

If you’re experiencing green poop and you’re not sure why, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate the problem:

Review Your Diet If you’ve recently eaten a lot of leafy green vegetables or other foods that are known to cause green poop, try cutting back on these foods for a few days to see if it makes a difference.

Drink More Water Dehydration can cause your poop to become hard and difficult to pass, which can lead to green poop. Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated. Take Probiotics If your green poop is caused by a change in the balance of bacteria in your gut, taking probiotics can help restore this balance. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your digestive system.

Talk to Your Doctor If your green poop persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor. They can help determine if there’s an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.

In most cases, green poop is nothing to worry about and can be attributed to something as simple as your diet. However, if you’re experiencing persistent green poop or other symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions. By taking steps like reviewing your diet, drinking more water, and taking probiotics, you can help alleviate the problem and get your digestive system back on track.

References:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021). Stool Color: When to Worry. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/stool-color/expert-answers/faq-20058080.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Symptoms & Causes of Celiac Disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Symptoms & Causes of Crohn’s Disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Iron-Deficiency Anemia. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/blood-diseases/anemia-iron-deficiency.

Wysocki, A., & Delgado-Aros, S. (2019). Green Bowel Movement. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536956/.