4 common causes of black stool

In fact, our stools come in many different colors depending on various factors. Stool can be yellow, white, green, or black. The color of stool reveals a lot about our health, according to the health website Verywell Health (USA).

Eating a lot of foods that are black in color, such as licorice, can cause your stool to also be black.

In many cases, black stool is not caused by disease but by the following factors:

Due to added iron

The body needs iron to create hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the muscles and throughout the body. Therefore, getting enough iron is crucial for good health.

Many people are advised to take iron supplements such as capsules, tablets, or liquids because they cannot get enough iron from their daily diet. One of the benign side effects of iron supplementation is a change in stool color to black or green.

Eating food that contains food coloring.

Artificial food coloring is commonly found in some candies, drinks, and other processed foods. As it passes through the digestive tract, it remains virtually unchanged.

Therefore, when defecating, these food colorings are eliminated while retaining their original color. Eating foods containing a lot of artificial food coloring that is black in color can result in black stools, which is perfectly normal. This is especially common in children more than adults because children often eat candy.

Use activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is a black, odorless, and tasteless powder widely used in food processing and many other applications. In fact, activated charcoal has been shown to support kidney function, lower blood cholesterol levels, and whiten teeth.

Activated charcoal is also used to absorb toxins and chemicals if accidentally swallowed. Therefore, charcoal tablets are often used to treat cases of drug overdose or emergency situations due to poisoning. Because of its black color, people who ingest activated charcoal may notice their stools turning black.

Eat dark-colored food.

It's not just foods with artificial coloring that can cause stool to turn black; some naturally black foods can also do so. Foods like black licorice, black blueberries, and animal blood, if consumed in excess, can lead to black stool.

However, if your stool remains black even after you stop eating those foods, you should see a doctor immediately to screen for any underlying health issues, according to Verywell Health.

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