The color of stool and its relation to health.

The color of stool and its relation to health.

Observing the color of our stool can provide valuable information about our health. For centuries, experts have used this indicator as a diagnostic tool to detect various diseases and understand the functioning of the digestive system.

Normally, stool has a brown color, resulting from the chemical processes that occur during digestion in the intestine and from the pigments present in the substances excreted along with the stool. Approximately 75% of stool composition is water, and the remaining 25% is made up of a combination of carbohydrates, fiber, fat, proteins, bacteria, bile, and bilirubin.

The brown color of stool is mainly due to bile, a liquid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats, and bilirubin, a product derived from the breakdown of red blood cells.

However, if the color of stool differs from this usual brown tone, it may be an indication of an alteration in the digestive system.

Let’s see what some specific colors mean:

Green color:

It can be caused by the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or kale. In addition, changes in intestinal transit due to diseases like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease can also accelerate the passage of food, preventing bile from breaking down completely and thus changing the color of stool. The use of antibiotics and certain infections can also produce this color change.

Black color:

The consumption of certain medications, such as iron supplements, or foods like licorice or squid ink, can result in black-colored stool. However, it can also indicate more serious digestive problems, such as bleeding in the upper part of the digestive system. In these cases, digested blood takes on a black tone, and the stool appears tar-like.

Yellow color:

Yellow-colored stool can have various causes. Disorders affecting the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas can interfere with the production and use of bile during digestion, which affects the color of stool. Celiac disease, which damages the small intestine, can also cause yellow stool. Additionally, stress can accelerate the digestive process, resulting in diarrhea or yellow stool.

Red color:

If stool has a red hue, it could be due to the consumption of foods with red dye or fresh blood from bleeding in the lower part of the digestive system. If the blood is not digested in the intestine, it will not change color to black, as happens when blood travels through the entire digestive tract.

Pale or clay-colored:

Pale-colored stool can be caused by a decrease in bile production, as in cases of liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, or by obstruction of the bile ducts due to gallstones. Bile is responsible for the brown color of stool, so a lower amount of bile results in lighter-colored stool. Additionally, problems such as bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine or pancreatic insufficiency can also cause pale and foamy-looking stool.

It is important to note that if there is a temporary change in the color and/or appearance of stool, it is not a cause for alarm. However, if this alteration persists over time, it is recommended to consult a doctor.