Post: What Causes Red Poop?

kosmos111 / Getty Images Noticing red poop can be surprising, but it’s not always an emergency. Red poop sometimes happens when you eat certain foods. Other times, it could be a sign of gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding, which can occur due to digestive disorders, medications, and infections.1

Upper GI tract bleeding is common, sending roughly 100,000 people in the United States to the hospital every year.23 If you’re noticing red poop accompanied by other unexplained symptoms like pain and weight loss, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to understand what’s going on.1 What Does Red Poop Look Like?

Red poop describes a bowel movement that appears some shade of red, compared to the typical brown poop color . Red stool can look different for each person and vary depending on the underlying cause.4

When you experience red poop due to something you ate, your stool may appear similar to the color of red dye. Red poop that happens as a result of lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding is usually bright red, while upper GI tract bleeding (like from your stomach) might appear more maroon-colored.156

Red poop varies in shade, frequency, and amount. It’s possible to notice more intensely-colored red poop once in a while or slightly red poop several days in a row. Depending on the cause, red poop might also present with symptoms like stomach pain, painful bowel movements, itching around the anal area, and unexpected weight loss.1 Why Is Your Poop Red?

Red poop can occur due to a variety of factors—including foods, medications, and digestive disorders.4 Diet

Your diet is one common reason why you may be noticing red poop. Certain foods with artificial dyes or natural colors can temporarily turn your poop a shade of red. This is usually a sign that the body hasn’t completely digested the pigments in the food coloring.1

Some of the most common culprits include:457 Foods with Red Dye 40 food coloring (e.g., gelatin, popsicles, and red sports drinks)

Tomato soup or juice Beets Cranberries Even if a food product doesn’t appear noticeably red, it may still contain artificial dyes […]

What Causes Red Poop?