Experts have named the color of feces that should alert you

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You won't be able to find a universal answer to the question of how often you should go to the toilet, but when it comes to what color your stool should be, there is already a consensus among experts.

The most common color of stool is brown, said Dr. Mark Corkins in a conversation.

According to the McGill University Research Office, the brown color results from the breakdown of bilirubin, a pigment produced when old blood cells are broken down in the liver, and bile, which is normally dark brown or green. When bilirubin and bile are released into the small intestine during digestion, they turn feces brown.

This physiological process is also why green is the second most common color of feces.

According to Dr. Rena Yadlapati, green stool can mean that food is moving through your digestive tract too quickly, so the green bile in your stool is still in its original form, which means it has turned brown.

Sometimes green stool is caused by diarrhea or infections. But if your stool is thick and green, it could be due to a number of dietary factors or possibly a supplement that is being taken, Yadlapati explained.

Corkins, in turn, added that consuming large amounts of tomato juice, beetroot or red gelatin can make the feces red. Some medications and supplements also affect stool color.

Yellow or orange stools can signal excess fat, especially if they look greasy or oily. This color may indicate poor absorption of fats, which may be caused by celiac disease, pancreatic disease, or certain infections.

When patients report that they have black stools, it may mean that the person has melena. Melena is a symptom of internal bleeding, usually located in the upper gastrointestinal tract – the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. Supplements such as iron or the antidiarrheal medication bismuth subsalicylate can also cause black stools.

White stools or a lack of color indicate that not enough bile is being passed into the digestive tract. It could indicate a more serious cause, such as a liver, bile duct, or pancreas condition. However, some medications, such as barium (a chalky liquid that patients drink during certain X-rays), can also turn stools a pale white.

Red stools are a big concern because “there could be bleeding in the lower colon or rectum,” says Dr. Yadlapati. Gastroenterologists usually believe that blood in the stool is coming from the lower colon or rectum, because the red color of the stool from blood indicates that the blood has not yet had time to change color.

“Sometimes it can be hemorrhoids with bright red blood,” the doctor added.

Other causes can include ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract caused by medications or conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, or arteriovenous malformation (AVM) polyps, which are small blood vessels that are prone to bleeding. Colon cancer is a less common cause.

If you see red stool and it’s not related to something you just ate or a medication you’ve taken, it’s a reason to consult a doctor.