What Causes Your Feces to Turn Dark Green?

Diet and intestinal health, among other things, can lead to a bowel movement containing green feces. Do not be concerned about green feces unless it happens regularly and other complications exist. Otherwise, a green stool every now and then is okay and should not be a cause for concern.

Diet

• Eating green foods can lead to green stools.

  According to Green Stool Organization, a person's diet is the number one cause of green stools. A diet that involves the consumption of a lot of natural green foods, such as broccoli, pistachios, green beans, purple or blue drinks, or diets high in iron, can lead to green feces, as the digestive system is not fully able to process these foods.

Digestion

• Digestion is the process of the body breaking down foods and liquids through a series of chemical reactions. Bile, naturally green in color, is the main chemical utilized in the body to break down fats in foods during digestion. At times, the bile is unable to perform its job and is passed through the digestive system too fast, which results in green stools.

Salmonella and Giardia

• If green stools occur frequently along with other symptoms like diarrhea and a fever, then a more serious condition may exist such as an infection caused by bacteria or parasites.

  Salmonella is a bacteria that causes foodborne illnesses. The bacteria attacks the intestines and spreads throughout the body if not treated with antibiotics. Salmonella can be deadly if not treated.

  Giardia is a waterborne parasite that also attacks the intestines and is associated with diarrhea and green stools. Giardia is treatable with anti-parasite medicines and bed rest.