However, it is also a common side effect of iron supplements and some medications.
Green stool can mean different things in adults and children.
For newborns, it is normal in the first three days of life.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
Later, however, it may indicate food sensitivity or an infection.
Green poop can also occur in pregnancy.
Foods That Cause Green Poop
Stool is digested food.
Heres a list of foods that can cause green poop.
Dark green, leafy vegetables and green fruits are rich inchlorophyllthe pigment that gives plants their color.
Any of these plant foods can cause green poop if you eat enough of them.
Matcha, a jot down of powdered green tea, can make stools a bright green hue as well.
Some foods contain green (or blue and yellow) food coloring that may turn your poop green.
Youll also see these dyes in holiday food.
A small serving may not be enough to give you green poop.
Blue and Purple Foods
Deep blue or purple foods can sometimes lead to green poop.
This includes blueberries, grapes, and red wine.
This is due to how bacteria in thelarge intestineact on bile salts.
The following diets may cause green poop and the meaning behind it.
Medical Causes of Green Poop
Medical issues can sometimes cause green stool.
The occasional floater is normal.
Intestinal Inflammation
Green stools that have visible mucus could mean the lining of your intestines is inflamed.
Excess mucus can also cause you to havesticky poop.
If you have green poop or green diarrhea, then there may be excess bile in your stool.
Some types of liver disease that cause increased bile production can result in yellowish or green, watery diarrhea.
This effect is seen innon-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Problems with the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas usually dont cause green stools.
Instead, they can producepale or clay-colored stools.
Causes include hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, cysts, and cancer.
If you have any questions or concerns about your babys poop, check with your pediatrician.
Baby Formula and Green Poop
Certain formulas can give babys poop a green hue.
Dark green (or green-black) poop in babies is commonly because of iron supplements or iron-fortified formula.
It could also mean that the baby isnt feeding long enough on each breast.
The baby may not be draining the breast enough.
Or, there could be an oversupply of breast milk.
A lactation consultant may be able to help find the issue.
Green Poop in Toddlers
In toddlers, green poop and foul-smelling diarrhea are often associated withteething.
But thats just an old wives tale, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Green poop in toddlers is often a sign of aviral infection.
This frequently happens when the toddlers immature immune system meets the developmental milestone of oral exploration.
Diarrhea should be treated with excess fluids to prevent dehydration.
Seek emergency help for any signs of severe dehydration.
Summary
Stool is normally brown, but green poop is common at any age.
Stool typically turns green because of something green that you ate or drank.
It usually returns to brown within a day or two.
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