It’s not everyone’s favorite dinner conversation – but everyone poopsAnd while we are talking about what is in your smelly trips to the toilet can be a bit taboo, the color and Texture of your stool can say a lot about your overall health. So if your stool has a greenish tint, you may be wondering, “What does green stool mean?”
Meet the experts: Wendi LeBrett, MDGastroenterologist from Los Angeles; Haleh Pazwash, MDgastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey; Niket Sonpal, MDa New York City-based internist and gastroenterologist.
It turns out there are many possible reasons why your stool may be an olive, lime, or emerald green hue. Here, gastrointestinal experts explain what green stool means, when you should be concerned about the color of your stool, and when you should see a doctor.
Causes of green stool
Eating green foods
This is the most common cause of green stool. “Green stool is usually the result of a large amount of green leafy vegetables in the diet,” says Niket Sonpal, MDa New York City-based internist and gastroenterologist. Common foods that can cause green poop when consumed in high quantities include leafy greens (spinach, kale, chard), asparagus, matcha, pistachios, and anything that contains green food coloring, says Wendi LeBrett, MDGastroenterologist from Los Angeles.
Eating blue foods
Think back for a moment to your elementary school art class where you learned about the color wheel. Blue + yellow = green. “If you eat blue or purple berries, you can actually get green stools because Shades of blue mixed with yellow from stomach bile can create a bright green,” says Dr. Sonpal. “That’s usually what surprises my patients the most and is the most fun to teach them in the exam room.” However, if your stool is bright red and you haven’t eaten foods like beets, Jell-O, or cranberries recently, seek medical attention immediately, as the red color can be an indication of blood.
Gallbladder problems
Normally, bile is stored in the gallbladder. But when the gallbladder is missing, there is nowhere for the bile to stay. So when the gallbladder is removed, stools may appear soft and green, says Dr. LeBrett. “This is because excess bile can be released into the digested food contents, which can lead to faster transit through the intestines.”
If you fall into this potential category, Dr. Sonpal advises, “Be patient—it usually gets better on its own as your gut gets used to the increased volume of bile and stops absorbing it.” During recovery, pay attention to your body, stay in touch with your doctor, and let them know if the discoloration lasts longer than eight to 10 weeks.
infection
An infection that affects your intestines and causes diarrhea can also cause green stools. “If you have an infection caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia colior C. diff; viruses; or parasites such as Giardiacan cause diarrhea and increased bowel movements,” says Dr. Sonpal. “This rapid bowel movement does not allow your naturally green bile to turn brown.” If you notice this, Dr. Sonpal recommends seeing your doctor immediately to determine the cause of the problem.
Antibiotics
As if you don’t have enough to worry about while battling the aforementioned salmonella or C. diff, antibiotic treatments can also turn your stool green. “That’s because antibiotics sometimes kill good bacteria along with the bad,” says Dr. Sonpal. “Without the good bacteria, we occasionally get green stools due to changes in our gut’s microbiome.” While on antibiotic treatment, Dr. Sonpal recommends boosting your gut flora with probiotics—either through supplements or by eating fermented foods like kombucha or kimchi.
Depo-Provera for contraception
“The Depo-Provera The shot suppresses ovulation and has been associated with bloating or weight gain in some women, but some of my patients have noticed green stools, most commonly after the first few doses,” says Dr. Sonpal. “We don’t yet know why this happens, but it’s nothing to worry about and usually goes away on its own. I personally believe it stimulates bile secretion, but we don’t have any concrete evidence yet.” Other medications can cause other discolorations. For example, Pepto Bismol can temporarily turn stool black, as can iron supplements. If you don’t think your green stools are the result of your diet, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns.
Other medicines and dietary supplements
Many medications can also cause different colors in your stool. Taking Iron supplements can change the color of your stool to dark green (or black), says Haleh Pazwash, MDGastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey.
Other vitamins, supplements and medications that can cause green stools include:
- Fiber supplements
- Dietary supplements containing ChlorophyllHow WheatgrassSpirulina, barley grass, chlorella and blue-green algae
- Medications that can cause diarrhea as a side effect, such as metformin, Lexapro (escitalopram), Nyquil, Zoloft (sertraline) and Indomethacin.
Why is feces usually brown?
The reason stool is usually brown has to do with the combination of bilirubin and bile that mixes with food during the digestive process, says Dr. Pazwash.
The digestive contents in the intestines initially appear green/yellow because bile is produced by the liver and secreted by the gallbladder at the beginning of the small intestine, but this pigment turns brown as it travels through the intestines into the large intestine before being excreted as feces, says Dr. LeBrett. More specifically, Stercobilin (a bile pigment) is responsible for the brown color of the stool, says Dr. Pazwash.
When is colored stool a cause for concern?
- Red feces may be due to bleeding in the second half of the intestine (usually the colon or the end of the small intestine), says Dr. LeBrett. If you haven’t eaten beets, Jell-O, or cranberries recently, seek immediate medical attention.
- Black, tarry stool can be a sign of bleeding in the upper part of the intestine (stomach and first part of the small intestine) as the blood turns black as it travels through the intestine, says Dr. LeBrett. “With Colon cancer at a young age is increasingAny suspected gastrointestinal bleeding should be investigated by a doctor.”
- White stool may indicate a blockage of bile flow and should also be investigated, says Dr. LeBrett.
Red, black and white stools should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if they are not related to a specific food or medication, says Dr. LeBrett. “Sudden changes in stool color (green and yellow) associated with persistent diarrhea should also be evaluated.” Finally, changes in stool color associated with sudden weight loss or severe abdominal pain should also be a sign to see your doctor immediately.
When you should see a doctor if your stool is green
Greenish stools aren’t always a cause for concern (especially if you recently ate a green or blue-colored birthday cake). Before seeing a doctor, if you don’t have other signs of concern, you can try changing your diet to see if that helps your stools return to a healthy brown hue, recommends Dr. Pazwash.
However, if your green stool is accompanied by diarrhea and the problem has been present for several days, it should be examined by a doctor to rule out infection or inflammation, advises Dr. LeBrett.
