Understanding Green Stool: Causes and Meaning

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the causes of green stool, primarily attributing it to indigestible plant residue and the presence of bile. Participants noted that certain foods, such as spinach and black licorice, can also contribute to this coloration. The consensus is that green stool indicates a rapid transit time through the digestive system, leading to insufficient breakdown of bile. Additionally, food coloring may play a role in altering stool color.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of digestive processes and bile function
  • Knowledge of common food items that affect stool color
  • Familiarity with the gastrointestinal transit time
  • Basic awareness of food coloring effects on digestion
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of bile in digestion and stool coloration
  • Explore the effects of various foods on gastrointestinal transit time
  • Investigate the impact of food coloring on digestive health
  • Learn about common gastrointestinal disorders that may affect stool appearance
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Individuals concerned about digestive health, nutritionists, and anyone seeking to understand the implications of stool color changes.

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I know you guys aren't exactly biologist but,what does it mean if you get off the toilet and you see green stool?
 
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Interestingly enough,

I remember some second grader told me his "poop went green" after "taste-testing" some blue fingerpaint with a 'little' yellow on the side (:rolleyes:).

He even wanted to show his disgusting green excrement, but I was occupied with my lunch at the time.

Every time I look back at that, I remind myself that even second graders can be trying out some much more dangerous substances (.. .. ... i.e., drugs).

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So unless you know the difference between pudding and fingerpaint,

My hypothesis for your case is that the green color was probably caused by some
**indigestible plant residue**.

You can experiment or test my hypothesis by eating or putting in your mouth today or tomorrow everything that you ate or put in your mouth on that day your stools went green :smile:

Edit: Be careful with fingerpaint. Thank goodness it's non-toxic!
 
Line said:
I know you guys aren't exactly biologist
How do you come to that opinion, there are plenty of biologists here.
but,what does it mean if you get off the toilet and you see green stool?
You ate spinach?
 
Monique said:
You ate spinach?

Ahh...:frown: Looks like I'll have to scrap my nice little *indigestible plant residue* hypothesis :frown:
 
black licorice will also turn stool green
 
adrenaline said:
black licorice will also turn stool green
I've never heard of that and I eat several kilos of black licorice a year :bugeye:
 
No I hadn't eaten spinach or any other green vegatables. I mean really vivid Green like psychedellic or how the punk rockers color their hair.
 
Well, itemize everything you ate in the last 48 hours. The answer will be in there somewhere.
 
  • #10
Really bright green... Bile from gall bladder? Just thinking out loud...
 
  • #11
Something with green food coloring? ...Or any food coloring (a green tint might have been mixed with other colors so it didn't look green when eating it).
 
  • #12
Dave is more then likely right, bile. which is bright green as it mixes with our food. As it passes through us bacteria does its magic and breaks the bile salts down into simpler form which are darker in color.
The material that will be passed as stool normally undergoes a progressive color change from green to more yellow to brown. So green stool simply means that the mixture of food and digestive juices is passing through the large intestine faster than normal.
 

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