5 Reasons Why Your Poop May Be Green

If you're experiencing colored poop, you might wonder, "Why is my poop green, particularly if I haven't eaten green food?" Reasons for green poop fall under a few main categories: food, medication, supplements, or illness.

It can be disconcerting if your stool looks different than normal. However, green poop isn't usually cause for concern and should go away after a few days. Still, some symptoms could signal a health problem. Read on to learn more about why your poop might have a greenish color and what to do about it.

Causes of Green Poop

Your poop may turn green for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's due to something you've eaten. Other times, greenish stool is due to other factors like medications or illness.

Antibiotics

If you've recently been ill and taken an antibiotic, your stools may turn green. One study found this to occur in some patients due to antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

Consuming Green Dyes

It's possible to have green stool after consuming highly pigmented mint ice cream or frosted cookies. Food dyes, in general, can change the color of your stool.

Eating a Ton of Green Veggies or Fruit

The food you eat may also cause your poop to turn green. Fruits and vegetables that are green in color, like kiwi or kale, contain chlorophyll, the chemical responsible for making plants green. Consuming anything with chlorophyll can turn both stool and urine green.

Infection, Especially Involving Diarrhea

Bacteria invading the gastrointestinal (GI) tract could cause a green tinge to your stool. Diarrhea increases the odds of watery green stool. Food moving through the body too quickly may not leave enough time for bile to break it down, which could cause your stool to become greenish or even orange.

Iron Supplements

Iron supplements are notoriously difficult on the stomach. Possible side effects include high doses of diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and black or green stool.

Why Is Poop Normally Brown?

Bile, a liver-produced fluid, can have a greenish-brown color; typical bowel movements are brown because of bile salts released in your stool by the liver.

Bile salts are the result of cholesterol breakdown. Enzymes make bile acids out of cholesterol, and the acids turn into bile salts when in contact with sodium or potassium ions in the body.

When Is Colored Poop a Cause for Concern?

Other colored stools may or may not be concerning, depending on the color:

• Black or tarry stools: These stools can indicate an upper digestive tract issue, such as stomach or small intestine bleeding. Black stools could also be caused by foods such as black licorice or medicines that contain bismuth, like Pepto-Bismol.
• Pale-colored stools: Stool that is pale or looks like clay is another cause for concern. This could indicate health conditions such as bile duct cysts, gallstones, or hepatitis—alcoholic or viral.
• Red stools: Red stools may be a sign of bleeding, but they may also result from consuming something with red dye.

When To See a Medical Provider for Green Poop

Contact a healthcare provider if you have green poop with diarrhea that's not clearing up. Also, consult a medical professional if one of your medications seems to be causing a sour stomach and tinged stool.

You should see a healthcare provider if you have black, red, and pale stools to rule out serious conditions. With stools of any color, seek medical attention if they are accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Weight changes

A Quick Review

Stools are normally brown, but you might experience green poop on occasion. Your poop can be green for a few different reasons, such as having a diet high in green veggies or taking antibiotics. I

n some cases, colored poop can raise concerns—especially if they are black, pale, or red. Seek medical care if you have these colored stools or if you're unsure what may be causing stool color changes.