That famous poop emoji may be brown, but did you know that it can turn yellow, red, and even white? If you’re used to seeing brownish stool in the toilet bowl, that’s a good sign. Brown (or even green) poop usually means your digestive system is healthy. (Here’s how to know if the shape of your poop is healthy too.) Poo of a different hue, however, could be sign that something is out of whack. Here’s what the color of your poop might say about your health.
References
MedlinPlus. (2021). Digestive diseases.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2021). What are some basics of infant health?
Paulson, E. C. (1978). Discoloration of stools from beets. JAMA.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Brittany DoohanBrittany Doohan was the Content Director at HealthiNation and is currently the Editorial Director at Medscape. Through her work with Medscape, she won a Silver Telly Award in May 2022 for "Sleepless Nation: A Public Health Epidemic — Episode 2: A Decade Without a Diagnosis." She has worked in health journalism and video production for more than 8 years, and loves the challenge of explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand and creative way.
Reviewed by:
Karen Hovav, MD, FAAPKaren Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.
Search and compare options
