Your stool can tell you a lot about your overall health.

Its colour, shape, and texture may indicate anything from dietary changes to serious medical conditions. Learn what different stool types mean and when you should consult a doctor.

As unpleasant as it may sound, your stool holds valuable clues about your health. Many people overlook changes in colour, consistency, or frequency, but these can be early warning signs of underlying health issues. While some changes are harmless and diet-related, others may indicate conditions such as liver disease, digestive disorders, or nutrient deficiencies.

Understanding your bowel movements can help you take proactive steps toward better digestive health. In this guide, we will explore the different stool colours, shapes, and textures, what they mean, and when to seek medical advice.

Stool Colour and What It Means

Brown – Normal and Healthy

The ideal stool colour is brown, thanks to the presence of bile and bilirubin—substances produced by your liver. If your stool is consistently brown, it’s usually a sign of a healthy digestive system.

White, Grey, or Clay-Coloured – Possible Liver or Gallbladder Issues

A lack of bile can cause pale, grey, or white stool, which may indicate problems with the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts. Potential causes include:

• Blocked bile ducts (due to gallstones or tumours)
• Liver disease (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis)
• Pancreatic disorders

If you notice light-coloured stool persistently, consult a doctor immediately.

Green – Diet or Rapid Digestion

Eating green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli or consuming green food colouring can turn your stool green. However, if you haven’t eaten these foods, green stool may indicate:

• Rapid digestion, preventing bile from breaking down properly
• Bacterial infections or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Yellow – Fat Malabsorption or Celiac Disease

Yellow, greasy, and foul-smelling stool could be a sign of fat malabsorption due to:

• Pancreatic issues (such as chronic pancreatitis)
• Celiac disease, which affects gluten digestion
• Gallbladder dysfunction

However, consuming excessive carrots or yellow-coloured drinks can also cause this change.

Black – Internal Bleeding or Diet

Black stool can be caused by:

• Iron supplements, aspirin, or ibuprofen
• Black or dark foods (such as blueberries, liquorice, or dark chocolate)
• Bleeding in the upper digestive tract (stomach ulcers or internal bleeding)

If you haven’t eaten dark foods or taken iron supplements, seek medical attention immediately.

Red – Blood in Stool or Diet

Red stool may result from consuming beets, tomatoes, or red drinks, but it could also indicate bleeding in the lower digestive tract due to:

• Haemorrhoids
• Ulcerative colitis
• Bowel cancer

If you experience unexplained red stool alongside symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, or pain, consult a doctor.

Stool Shape and Consistency: What’s Normal?

The Bristol Stool Chart, developed by scientists at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, categorises stool into seven types, helping assess gut health.

Hard, Lumpy Stools – Constipation

Small, pellet-like stool often means severe constipation, which could be caused by:

• Low fibre intake
• Dehydration
• Lack of physical activity

Solution: Increase fibre intake through vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, and drink plenty of water.

Smooth, Sausage-Shaped Stool – Ideal and Healthy

If your stool is soft, sausage-shaped, and smooth, it’s a sign of a healthy gut. Maintain this by following a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly.

Soft Lumps – Possible IBS or Mild Diarrhoea

If your stool appears soft and lumpy, you might be experiencing mild diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To help manage symptoms:

• Reduce high-fibre foods
• Eat binding foods like bananas and crackers
• Manage stress, as IBS is often linked to anxiety

Fluffy, Ragged Stools – Too Much Fibre or Mild Diarrhoea

If your stool has a fluffy texture and lacks shape, you may be consuming too much fibre or experiencing mild diarrhoea. Try reducing fibre intake and drinking more water to prevent dehydration.

Liquid Stools – Severe Diarrhoea and Possible Infection

Completely liquid stools indicate severe diarrhoea, which could be caused by:

• Food poisoning
• Lactose intolerance
• Bacterial or viral infections

Solution: Stay hydrated and consider over-the-counter medication like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol. If symptoms persist beyond two days or are accompanied by fever or severe pain, see a doctor.

When Should You See a Doctor?

While minor stool changes can be diet-related, persistent or sudden changes should not be ignored. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent pale, black, or red stool
• Unexplained diarrhoea lasting over 48 hours
• Severe constipation or painful bowel movements
• Weight loss, fatigue, or abdominal pain