A temporary diet-related effect (harmless)
An underlying medical condition (serious)
Medication side effects
Digestive dysfunction
Recognizing the difference is critical. Let’s dive deeper into what each color might mean.
9 Stool Colors and What They Reveal About Your Health
1. Brown Stool – The Healthy Standard
What it means: Normal digestion and good liver function.
Why it happens: Bile and bilirubin break down as expected, giving stool its brown color.
What to do: No concerns here. Maintain a balanced diet with enough fiber and water.
2. Green Stool – Fast Digestion or Leafy Diet
What it means: Food may be moving through your intestines too quickly, or you’ve consumed a lot of green vegetables, iron supplements, or food dyes.
Possible causes:
Spinach, kale, broccoli
Iron supplements
Diarrhea or rapid digestion
What to do: If occasional, it’s normal. Persistent green stool with diarrhea could indicate infection or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
3. Yellow Stool – Fat Absorption Issues
What it means: Yellow, greasy, and foul-smelling stool suggests fat malabsorption.
Possible causes:
Celiac disease
Pancreatic insufficiency (e.g., from chronic pancreatitis)
Gallbladder disease
What to do: If yellow stool persists, consult a doctor. A low-fat, gluten-free diet may help if linked to celiac disease.
4. Black Stool – Possible Internal Bleeding
What it means: Black or tarry stool may indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach or esophagus).
Possible causes:
