Is Dark Brown a Normal Color for Stool?

Dark-brown colored stools are in the range of normal colors for human stools. Stool color is influenced by a person’s diet and bile levels. A patient’s stool colors can change because of bleeding in the digestive tract or the food the patient consumes.

Normal Stool Colors

• According to Michael Picco, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, normal human stool colors include any shade of brown or even green.

Light-Colored Stools

• People with light-colored, clay-colored or white stools may lack normal bile levels in their stools and they may have an obstructed bile duct. Anti-diarrheal drugs and medications with bismuth subsalicylate can cause light-colored stools.

Yellow Stools

• Stools with a yellow color, foul smell and greasiness may include excess amounts of fat and may be caused by a malabsorption problem in the intestinal tract. Celiac disease patients may have yellow stools after they consume gluten.

Black Stools

• People with bleeding in the upper digestive tract may have black-colored stools. Black stools may also result from the use of bismuth subsalicylate or iron supplements.

Red Stools

• Red-colored stools may be a sign of bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Red-colored foods or food colorings may also result in stools that are red.