Healthy Stool Colour 2024: What Your Poo Says About You! | HealthyBe (2024)

By Bee / 7th November 2022

Stool, faeces, poo – whatever you call it, is probably something you never even think about, despite doing it regularly (hopefully). In fact, we’re often so out of tune with our bodies, that it’s not uncommon to go months without noticing changes. And, whilst some change in the stool is completely normal, they can actually tell us a lot about our diet, health and wellbeing. So, before you flush, here’s how to check if you have a healthy stool.

What should a healthy stool look like?

The healthiest shape for a stool is a long cylinder, between 4 to 8 inches and the consistency should be somewhere between soft and firm.

Causes for concern would be:

• Hard dry pellet-shaped (you are not a rabbit!)
• Very loose/watery
• Traces of blood (which you should report to your GP)
• Having to strain excessively

You can use the Bristol stool chart to help identify if your bowel movements are normal or not. This chart categorises the shape and texture of stools into seven types (five of which are classed as abnormal). If you have any concerns over your stools it is definitely worth a look. We are aiming for a type 3 or 4, at least once daily, preferably three times. Think “food in, waste out”!

Stool colour chart

Healthy stools are more than just the consistency. You also need to keep an eye on colour. Whilst most colour changes can be contributed to diet, there could be an underlying issue.

• Green stools are usually of no concern and can be contributed to green foods (such as spinach, kale and broccoli), food colourings or alcohol. In some cases, green stools can be a bile issue where your intestines don’t have time to break it down.

• Yellow stools are a common occurrence if your bowel has malabsorption issues with fats, it can be a side effect of coeliac disease or a problem with your pancreas. It can also be due to a parasitic infection called giardiasis.

• Orange stools can be due to medications or diet, but can also be a symptom of IBS, where the intestine struggles with the absorption of bile.

• Clay-coloured stools can be a sign of fat malabsorption too, usually due to poor bile production which a naturopathic nutritionist can support you with, but other causes should be ruled out.

• Bright red stools: Diet (beetroots can turn your stools red) is usually the culprit however it could also be a sign of bleeding and is always important to get checked out.

• Dark red or black stools: If you are on iron medication your stools will be very dark. If you aren’t and your stools are black and tarry, please consult your GP.
  

Whilst some changes to your stool colour and shape are totally normal, if these become more frequent, cause other symptoms (stomach cramping) or last for long periods of time you should consult a medical professional.

IBS stool colour

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. And, a lot of sufferers notice considerable changes in their stool.

There are four types of IBS, and they are categorised by IBS stool type. Take a look at the types below and the difference in each IBS stool colour:

• IBS-C (IBS with constipation) – likely to have a darker brown stool colour
• IBS-D (IBS with diarrhoea) – likely to have a yellow stool colour
• IBS-M (mixed – alternates between constipation and diarrhoea)
• IBS-U (people who don’t fit the above types)

Stress can also be a contributing factor of IBS and stools. ​​When you are stressed, your intestines expel their food contents quicker than they normally would. This can bring on an IBS attack, causing diarrhoea, mucous discharge, and yellow stools.

SIBO stool colour

Studies have shown that 60-84% of people with IBS actually have something called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

SIBO occurs when the small intestine becomes overrun by bacteria. Certain bacteria are supposed to be abundant in our large intestine, but not in our small intestine. If you have SIBO it means that the bacteria have either overgrown from your large intestine into your small intestine.

SIBO symptoms include:

• Loose, pale and foul-smelling stools
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Burping
• Wind
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Need help getting your gut health back on track?

The symptoms of IBS and SIBO are NOT fun! In fact, they can drastically affect the quality of life for a lot of people. But, there are ways to manage them, and in a lot of cases eliminate the symptoms completely.

To help get you back on track I offer FREE 30-minute health and wellbeing reviews. We can chat through your concerns, I’ll give you some quick tips to help you get started, and go through the various options of how we can move forward. To book your FREE appointment, just click this link, and find a slot that works best for you.

(Please keep in mind that I am not a registered doctor, and if you are concerned about your health, you should always consult your GP first.)