Gaby VacaFlores, RD, CLE, gets”to the bottom” of what the different kinds of poop are. Find out what’s the reason behind various color and consistency of poop, and when you should be pooping to maintain your digestive health and overall well-being.
If you’ve found yourself gazing into the toilet and wondering, “What does healthy poop look like?” it’s an appropriate concern. You may have noticed that there are different colors of and different forms of the poop. Sometimes, you may discover it easy (and even amusing) to get through, whereas other times, it’s not too often.
Poop that is healthy can be an indication the digestive process is functioning well, whereas a poop that is not normal could indicate that something is not working. Learn more the definition of what various types of poop are and how to get healthy Poop.
WHY POOP TYPE MATTERS
Keep an eye on your bowel movements may not be the most appealing suggestion but the importance of maintaining good digestive health cannot be overemphasized enough.
Poop can reveal many things about what could be happening with the digestive tract. Additionally, it could paint an overall image of your overall health considering that 70% of your immune system is located within the intestines and digestion is connected with everything from mood and skin health. Therefore we often depend on the shape, texture of the body, the color, patterns of timing and even the scent of poop for little clues about what might be going on in your body.
WHAT DOES HEALTHY POOP LOOK LIKE?
Everyone is unique, even in the case of our toilets. The normal poop may differ between individuals due to various reasons, including diet supplements, dietary habits, and levels of activity.
Healthy poop contains about 75 percent water, and 25 percent blend of fats, protein and fiber. It also contains bacteria mucous, cells, and mucous.
To determine the normal texture of poop health professionals employ a well-known indicator that is known as the Bristol Stool Scale. This chart can help us understand the seven major types of poop as well as what they refer to.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POOP, ACCORDING TO CONSISTENCY
As per the Bristol Stool Chart, there are seven major kinds of poop, some that are alike to each other. This Bristol Stool chart is a diagnostic tool that helps identify the different types of feces. Ken Heaton, MD, from the University of Bristol, developed the chart in 1997.
This is a brief guide to the different kinds of poop and the meaning they signify.
POOP TYPE : SEPARATE HARD LUMPS
Poop of this kind is difficult to get through and can appear like droppings from animals. It’s an indication of severe constipation.
Constipation can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the most effective methods to alleviate constipation is by drinking more water, boosting the amount of fiber consumed and eating foods that are rich in magnesium, and taking frequent bathroom breaks. Incorporating the probiotic (like HUM’s Gut Instinct) can help to support the gut microbiome to help to move things in the proper direction.
POOP TYPE LUMPY AND SAUSAGE-LIKE
This type of poop is firm and is more difficult to get through. It could signal constipation.
POOP TYPE SAUSAGE-LIKE WITH CRACKS IN THE SURFACE
This kind of stool is simple to pass through and signals an unhealthy, normal toilet. A poop that is sausage-shaped with obvious cracks and is easily able to get through is the best option in regards to the bathroom breaks.
The wisest advice is Controlling your stress levels can help you get more regular poops and improve the health of your digestive tract.
POOP TYPE SMOOTH SAUSAGE OR SNAKE-LIKE
As previously mentioned there are a variety of types of feces can be considered healthy. For instance, a more smooth soft poop can also be accepted as normal.
POOP TYPE SOFT WITH CLEAR-CUT EDGES
If your poop soft, but isn’t a mess it could indicate that you need to increase the amount of fibre in the diet. Fiber aids in the bulking of stool and promotes regularity. Soluble fiber is also able to nourish the good bacteria that live in your gut, decreases cholesterol levels, aids in hormonal balance, and so on.
POOP TYPE SOFT OR MUSHY
This kind of bowel movement is a sign of moderate diarrhea. It can be easily passed to triggering the need to go. If you’re prone type of poop be certain to drink plenty of water. Additionally, you should eat more whole foods and avoid processed or spicy food (both of which could cause diarrhea).
If this kind of poop persists for you, it’s time to see your doctor, as it could be an indication of something more serious happening within your gut.
POOP TYPE LIQUID
A fully-liquid poop indicates diarrhea. It’s likely that you’ll feel a strong need to get rid of it. Poop of this kind can cause dehydration. Alongside the suggestions for mushy poop previously mentioned it is possible to try an elimination diet in order to find any food sensitivities that may cause this bowel motion.
WHAT DOES THE COLOR OF YOUR POOP MEAN?
Supplements, food and certain medications are the primary factors behind the color of your Poop. Below, we discuss the various hues of poop and what they signify.
BROWN POOP
If you’re suffering from brown Poop, it’s because your bile content may be to be at fault. The bile content in poop is an under-appreciated source of color.
Bile is a fluid produced by and released by the liver. Its main purpose is to aid in breaking down the fat in our diets However, it also can aid your body in getting rid of toxic substances.
Bile’s light green and yellow hues, along with the color of the food that you consume as well as the supplements or medications you are taking–can cause poop with various shades of brown and occasionally, green. This kind of poop is accepted as normal.
GREEN POOP
On the other hand the presence of excess of the bile that is in the poop may result in a vivid green hue.
In the majority of cases, it is due to food going in the digestive tract too quickly. The bile doesn’t have sufficient time for breaking down food fats.
Stress, eating too much and imbalances in the gut microbiome are often the cause of green piss. However regular green poop could occasionally be a sign of more serious health issues. For certain people, green poop could also be an indication of a nutrient-rich diet or a diet that is high in food coloring that is green. In these instances the green poop can be considered acceptable in the case of in a controlled manner, like after a sudden increase in your intake of vegetables.
BLACK POOP
You might be asking yourself “Why is my poop black?” Iron supplements and OTC medication are typically the cause of the black stool. Unexpectedly, eating black licorice may cause stool to get darker.
On the other hand the black stool that resembles tar that has a strong smell could be a sign of more serious health problems which should be investigated by a physician.
RED POOP
A presence of blood within poop is a primary reason for it to appear red. It is usually due to constipation. Constipation is usually caused by an eating regimen that is not high on fiber, whole food as well as water.
Some women have red-colored poop when they go through their menstrual cycle. Another reason that is less frequent for the red stool is eating food with red-colored hues, such as beets or drinks that contain red food coloring.
If none of the above reasons are the case and you’re experiencing frequent stool that is red, make an appointment with your physician immediately.
PALE-COLORED POOP
Gray, light yellow, clay-colored, and light brown stools usually signal that your digestive function isn’t working properly. If this is the case, you should consult your physician ASAP.
BUILD YOUR SUPPLEMENT ROUTINE
TAKE THE HUM QUIZ
HOW MANY TIMES A DAY SHOULD YOU POOP?
How often you go through stool is as crucial as knowing its kind and color. There’s no absolute or optimal number of times to go to the bathroom.
In general, pooping between one and three times a daily is a great aim for most people. It’s important to remember that normal pooping is simple and easy to get out. In fact, it should generally take no more than two minutes to go through a normal stool.
There are people who go through three times a week, and still be deemed to be healthy in their digestion so in the event that they do not have any other symptoms.
If you’re constipated you could experience just three or less bowel movements a week and feel pain or discomfort as you go through the process. If this is the case need to concentrate on sufficient hydration and consuming more fiber.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Do you want to know if your have healthy Poop? If any of these three indicators are applicable to your poop, you should consult your physician.
The smell of poop is unpleasant to smell. However the smell of poop that is strong and foul could be an indication of an underlying health issue.
A poop with unusual colors: This could be an indication that something is not be working in the way it should. Simply say, be on the lookout for black, red or yellow stool that is not related to supplementation, food or medications.
Infrequent bowel movements. If you have trouble getting up at least one time per day, you should consult a physician or a certified dietitian for adjustments to your diet and exercise.
HOW TO SUPPORT HEALTHY POOPS
Once you understand what the various kinds of poop are It is important to maintain regular and healthy stool movements.
If you are consistent, engaging in healthy lifestyles will aid regular pooping. As a dietitian offer the following advice:
Create a space that is free of distractions. Make sure you don’t use your phone or tablet when you’re on the toilet.
Find out what your normal. Like we said earlier, each person’s individual standard of poop can differ. Keep an eye on what’s good for you on the majority of days.
Eat a diet rich in high-fiber foods. Select whole grains as well as fruits, vegetables and beans. Men should aim to consume at least 38g of fiber a day as well as women to consume 25 grams a day.
Maintain your gut microbiome with healthy bacteria. It is possible to improve the health of your digestion and gut by focusing on diversity of microbial. We suggest taking a daily probiotic as well as drinking fermented drinks and foods.
Increase the hydration. Drink plenty of fluids and eat water-rich fruit like watermelons, cucumbers, apple and pears, to aid in bowel movements.
Get it moving. Because a lifestyle that is sedentary can allow things to become stuck or get backed up, you should workout to aid in moving meals through your intestinal tract.
