Why Do I Have Green Poop?

Why Do I Have Green Poop?

There are many different reasons that you can have green bowel movements, but there are 3 main reasons that cause the majority of green colored poop. Usually there is nothing to worry about when you have green stool; it probably does not signify any sort of bad disease.

The most common cause of green poop is the higher than average consumption of very green, leafy foods, like spinach or broccoli. Lettuce can also cause green stools but often requires much more than spinach would, because spinach and broccoli also both have high amounts of iron.

And that brings us to the second cause: high amounts of iron. Iron is needed in large amounts by the body, but often we can consume much more than we need. Red meats, spinach, broccoli, breakfast cereals, and beans. When the excess iron is released, it exits as iron salts, which causes the green pigments in the excrement.

Another cause of green poop is eating green colored processed foods, such as green Popsicles or other green colored frozen treats, sherbet, or drink flavoring such as Gatorade or PowerAde.

There are of course many other reasons that will cause green stools. Some medications will have side effects of causing green poop from a variety or reactions or byproducts within the body. Ulcerative Colitis, or inflammatory bowel disease affecting the large intestine and rectum, and Celiac disease, or the lethal inability to digest or can also cause green poop, both of which can be treated by medication and preventative dieting. Certain types of food poisoning, bacterial overgrowth or infectious diarrhea area also causes of green stools.

Of course, a medical professional should look at any sort of unexplainable bowel movement that is causing worry to the individual. It can be related to much more serious and life threatening conditions.