Not only does your stool come in different shapes, but it comes in different colours as well. 

The colour of your stool indicates how good or bad your diet is or how much bile (alkaline fluid that helps you to digest fat) is being produced by your body. Bile changes your stool green to brown. 

Like the shape, the colour of your stool will tell how healthy or unhealthy you are.  

Now let’s look at the different colours of stool and what they mean 

Lighter Colours  

Stools can be white, chalky- looking or yellow. Yellow stools are common in breastfed infants, however for others, this could indicate excessive fat. In the latter case, this could mean the body is having issues absorbing fat. The chalky looking or white colour is produced as a result of mediation or a clog in the bile duct or from certain types of medication. If you continue to see these colours for an extended period of time, see your doctor. 

Black 

Taking an iron supplement or medication to soothe your stomach, may cause your stool to have a black colour. However, if you do not fall within this category you may need to visit the doctor, as persistent black stool is a cause for concern. Black stool or one that appears to be black maroon, resembles tar or has a foul smell may be a sign of bleeding in your digestive tract.  

Red 

Red stool may come as a result of too much red food colouring intake or red medication. If the colour persists and if it is bright red at that, you will need to see a doctor, as this could mean you are suffering from internal bleeding from your large intestine, the rectum, a scratch or haemorrhoid. 

Green 

Green vegetables or food with green food colouring will contribute to your stool having a green appearance. Releasing this colour once in a while is okay and is even considered normal. A green shade may indicate that you have diarrhea or that food is moving through your body at a rapid pace and does not get the chance to break down completely. While seeing the colour once in a while is okay, if it persists you need to see a doctor! 

Brown 

If the appearance of your stool is brown, then you are in the clear. No matter what shade of brown it is, it is considered normal.  

READ: What does your stool say about YOU?(Part I)