What makes feces brown

Only rarely does the color of stool suggest a serious health problem. Normal stool normally smells unpleasant, the result of bacteria in the colon breaking down digested food.

Stool may smell different due to changes in diet. Spicier foods and meat tend to produce stronger smells than vegetables. Stool frequency is regulated by the amount of fiber and fluid you consume, with exercise and staying active playing a role. There is a lot of natural, healthy variance, from three bowel movements a day to three per week.

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Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Stool color: When to worry. Products and services. Yesterday, my stool color was bright green.

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Why brown? Other colors Why smelly? What makes poop brown? What can cause poop to be other colors besides brown? A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and wellbeing. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet balanced diet. Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications.

For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies while constipation can cause bowel obstructions. Normal poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks. To encourage a normal bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, take regular exercise, try to reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Read this article in Spanish. It can sometimes cause alarm to look into the toilet after emptying the bowels and see poop that is a different color to the usual brown. If person's…. An examination of sticky poop, including whether or not it is normal. Included is detail on when to see a doctor and the foods that cause it to happen.

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