You’re handling your business on the porcelain throne when you sneak a peek into the bowl. But instead of the standard brown aftermath, all you see is green. What gives?
Was it that kale salad you proudly ate for lunch instead of hitting the drive-thru? Or is your gut trying to tell you something ominous? Before you spiral into a WebMD rabbit hole, take a breath (preferably not near the toilet). Green poop is weird but not necessarily a red flag from your colon.
From your diet to your medications to your bile, several culprits can turn your turds green. Keep reading to learn why your poop looks like it’s auditioning for a Hulk movie—and whether it’s worth a trip to the doc or if you should just ride it out.
6 Potential Causes of Green Poop
From the produce aisle to parasites, here are six things that can turn your poop green.
1. Eating Green Vegetables
Yes, the spinach you proudly ate yesterday could be haunting you today. Leafy greens like kale, broccoli, and spinach are loaded with chlorophyll—a fancy word for plant pigment that sometimes makes it through your digestive system without a costume change.
This is a flex for your nutrition game but not much else. If your poop’s green because you’re eating your veggies, congrats—you’re doing something right. Just don’t expect your toilet to applaud.
2. Eating Dyed Foods
Your digestive system sucks at breaking down food dyes. So, if you’ve indulged in green candy, green cupcakes, or that suspiciously neon cereal marketed as “fun for kids,” don’t be surprised if your poop looks like an art project gone rogue.
It’s not just for kids, either. Adults who dabble in trendy green juices or overly festive desserts are just as guilty. Bottom line: If it looks like a rainbow on the way in, don’t be shocked when it looks the same on the way out.
3. Taking Antibiotics and Other Medications
Antibiotics are great at fighting infections, but terrible for maintaining a predictable poop color. These meds can mess with your gut bacteria, altering how bile gets processed. The result? A lovely shade of green for your number twos.
Iron supplements, laxatives, and a grab bag of other medications can also be behind the green hue. Consider this the price of modern medicine—or maybe just a sign to Google the side effects so you don’t scare yourself in the bathroom.
4. Bile Pigment
Since you probably fell asleep during science class, here’s a quick primer on bile: It’s green, it’s made by your liver, and it helps digest fat. Normally, bile turns brown as it moves through your digestive system, which is why poop is, well, poop-colored. But sometimes, things move too quickly—like when you have diarrhea—and bile doesn’t get enough time to mellow out.
This isn’t exactly a badge of honor, but it’s not a medical emergency either. Think of it as bile trying to make an early exit, leaving you with an unintentional biology lesson.
5. Parasites, Bacteria, and Viruses
Sometimes, green poop is your gut’s way of waving a red flag. Infections from parasites like Giardia or bacteria like Salmonella can throw your digestive system into chaos, leading to green poop and a host of other brutal symptoms.
If you’re also dealing with stomach cramps, nausea, or liquid poop, it’s probably time to get checked out. Ignoring it won’t make it go away, no matter how hard you try.
6. Gastrointestinal Conditions
Gut health issues like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can affect how your body processes food and nutrients. One of the many side effects? Green poop.
If you’re dealing with chronic digestive issues—or you’ve noticed other symptoms like bloating or fatigue—it’s worth talking to a doctor. Your body might be trying to tell you something more serious than “stop eating green candy.”
Is It Normal to Have Green Poop?
In most cases, yes. Green poop is like a text from a friend you haven’t seen since college—unexpected but not necessarily a problem. If it’s an occasional thing, you can chalk it up to your diet or something passing through your system quickly. No need to overthink it.
Is Green Poop the Sign of an Infection?
Green poop can be a sign of an infection, but it’s not the most common reason. If you’ve got green poop alongside fever, cramps, or diarrhea that’s bordering on traumatic, an infection could be the culprit. Don’t tough it out. Get it checked before things get worse.
Does Green Poop Mean You Have Liver Problems?
Not really. Green poop is more about bile doing its thing—or not doing its thing fast enough—than an issue with your liver. Unless you’re also experiencing other signs of liver trouble (like jaundice or intense fatigue), you can probably rule this one out.
When to Talk to a Doctor About Green Poop
If green poop sticks around for more than a few days, shows up with other symptoms, or seems to have its own agenda, it’s time to get professional advice. Nobody likes calling the doctor about poop, but it’s better than ignoring something serious.
Brown or Green, We’ll Keep You Clean
A toilet full of green turds might scare the sh*t out of you (pun totally intended), especially if you’re a first-timer. Butt at least DUDE Wipes has your ass covered. Our XL flushable wipes are built to conquer whatever color chaos your bowels throw your way.
Whether you’re chugging kale smoothies or recovering from an ill-advised food dye binge, your poop chute will be cleaner than ever.
