Observing stool that is bloody or exhibits a maroon hue can be quite alarming, often occurring unexpectedly. The initial step to uncovering the cause involves reflecting on your recent dietary intake.

The causes of bloody or black, tarry stools can vary widely, ranging from dietary choices to more serious health conditions that may require a thorough medical diagnosis and appropriate treatment. For instance, consuming foods such as beets (chukandar) or black licorice can lead to temporary changes in stool color.

This article delves into the medical reasons behind bloody stools and explores various other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns regarding your health.

Foods That Can Cause Red Stool

There are certain foods that can lead to a striking red coloration in stool. You might wonder how this occurs—it's simple: what you consume influences what comes out. The consistency of stool primarily comprises three essential elements:

• water
• bile (a digestive fluid secreted by the gallbladder)
• undigested food particles (including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins)

When your diet features considerable quantities of red-hued foods, and if that red pigment isn't completely broken down during digestion, it could alter the stool's color. Moreover, the presence of partially undigested red foods can result in stools that seem bloody.

The following foods are known to potentially impart a red hue to stool.

Beets

Beets derive their vibrant, ruby-red color from betalains, a category of plant pigments or phytonutrients. Interestingly, betalains are also found in blueberries and cranberries. However, these pigments aren't always fully digested or absorbed. The extent to which your body can break them down may be influenced by various factors, including your overall diet. As a result, it is likely that some of these pigment molecules reach the end of the digestive system relatively intact.

Additionally, the acidity of the digestive environment can impact the final stool color; in acidic conditions, betalain presents a brighter red, while in alkaline (basic) environments, it can take on shades of blue or purple. On the whole, stool tends to be slightly more acidic, so if beets do alter its color, it typically manifests as pink, red, or maroon.

Interestingly, beets can also affect urine color, a condition referred to as beeturia, which is thought to occur in approximately 10–14% of the population.

Jell-O and Red Food Dye

Artificial coloring agents present in candies, sugary cereals, chips, and Jell-O can also influence stool color. In the U.S., Red 40 is the most prevalent red food dye.

Stool color changes due to these artificial colors or natural pigments (like betalains or lycopene) are typically temporary, generally resolving after a few days.

Tomatoes

The vibrant color of tomatoes comes from a phytonutrient known as lycopene, which belongs to the carotenoid family. Similar to betalains, the body’s capacity to metabolize lycopene varies, allowing some of the pigment to remain unchanged until it is excreted. While the level of lycopene in a typical tomato is unlikely to affect stool color significantly, consuming large quantities of tomato juice, enjoying a hearty bowl of tomato soup, or indulging in generous servings of fresh pico de gallo could potentially tint stool red. Watermelon, which is also rich in lycopene, has been suggested to have a similar effect on stool coloration, according to historical studies.

Red Peppers

Red peppers, alongside tomatoes and various other fruits and vegetables, contribute fiber to the diet. This fiber resists digestion and nourishes beneficial bacteria within the large intestine. Although fiber isn't digested and absorbed in the same manner as other food components, it still undergoes partial breakdown before being eliminated from the body. It's noteworthy that anything that accelerates the digestive process can lead to less time available for thorough digestion. Ironically, a diet abundant in insoluble fiber—the type found in red peppers and tomatoes—can exert a near-laxative effect on the bowels.

Consequently, the particularly fibrous skins of these vegetables may sometimes appear in stool. Whether the skin of peppers is floating in the toilet bowl or mixed in with the stool, seeing that red hue can be unsettling. It's important to note that this phenomenon isn't exclusive to peppers; any brightly colored fruit or vegetable can have a similar outcome. For instance, kale and spinach are often linked to green stool. Thus, it’s entirely plausible that you might notice fragments of tomato or red pepper skin post bowel movement.

Foods That May Result in Bloody Stool

While no specific foods are known to directly cause bloody bowel movements, it’s essential to understand that such occurrences can happen, albeit not in the manner one might expect, according to Filemon.

Spicy Foods

Chili peppers are notorious for their heat, primarily due to a compound known as capsaicin. This fiery substance is present in substantial quantities in hot peppers like red chili and spur (tabasco) peppers.

Capsaicin interacts with pain receptors throughout the body, often creating a burning sensation that can be felt from the mouth all the way to the digestive tract. For some individuals, this compound may also trigger diarrhea. In severe cases, blood may appear in the stool due to tears in the anal lining, also known as anal fissures. Additionally, excessive wiping following a bout of diarrhea can lead to further irritation and tearing.

When blood is present, it often manifests as bright red and may not be apparent in the stool itself but rather on toilet paper or within the bowl. Using baby wipes can provide some relief, and generally, these fissures tend to heal on their own, as indicated by earlier studies.

To aid in the healing process of fissures, consider incorporating these nine foods into your diet.

Foodborne Illness Linked to Red Meat and Poultry

Experiencing bloody diarrhea is a frequent symptom associated with food poisoning that arises from consuming contaminated red meat or poultry. Common foodborne illnesses include salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Campylobacter, and listeria, which are prevalent in various regions, including India, Australia, and Canada.

Many of these illnesses can resolve without medical intervention; hence, the primary focus should be on managing symptoms. However, in certain situations, medical treatment and antibiotic therapy may be necessary.

To minimize the risk of food poisoning, it is crucial to ensure that meat is cooked thoroughly and stored at appropriate temperatures. The capsaicin in chili peppers may lead to burning diarrhea, potentially causing light rectal bleeding, while eating raw or undercooked meat can result in diarrhea that may contain blood.

Alternative Sources of Bloody Bowel Movements

If the culprit is not food, then a health condition might be the underlying cause of bloody stools. According to nutrition expert Filemon, conditions like *ulcerative colitis*, *Crohn’s disease*, and *diverticulitis* can lead to irritation of the colon's lining due to certain foods, resulting in blood appearing in the stool.

“This happens not because there is anything wrong with those foods, but due to the aggravation of already inflamed areas in the gut or an intolerance to certain foods, which can trigger further inflammation,” Filemon added.

Here’s a list of health conditions that may present bloody stools as a symptom:

• Hemorrhoids. Each year, about 10 million individuals report suffering from hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins around the anus. Typically, these conditions are not severe and tend to heal without intervention, although they may cause discomfort and bleeding during bowel movements. In such cases, the blood is often bright red and may coat the stool or splatter in the toilet bowl.
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, including Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis. Persistent bloody diarrhea is a hallmark symptom of these inflammatory bowel conditions. Additional signs may include weight loss and abdominal cramps. If you suspect you may have one of these disorders, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
• Diverticulitis. This condition involves inflamed pouches in the colon. When diverticulitis occurs, individuals may experience acute abdominal pain alongside a sudden onset of numerous red or maroon bowel movements. Diets high in fat and red meat are linked to an increased risk of developing this condition.
• Polyps or Cancer. Experiencing rectal bleeding accompanied by dark brown or black stools could indicate the presence of polyps or colon cancer. Other warning signs may include unexplained weight loss, alterations in bowel habits, or narrowing of the stool. The *Canadian Cancer Society* suggests that individuals at average risk for colon cancer begin regular screenings by the age of 45.

Rectal bleeding can indicate a range of medical issues, from mild conditions like hemorrhoids to more serious concerns such as colon cancer. If you notice blood in your stool, it is crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

If you’ve concluded that the presence of red, maroon, or black, tarry stools is not a result of indulging in your favorite red foods, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional promptly.

According to Filemon, “It is essential to seek medical care as soon as possible when encountering a new symptom like blood in your stool, especially if there has been no previous diagnosis and the cause remains unknown. This urgency increases if there are accompanying symptoms like fever or vomiting.”

It is crucial to communicate with a healthcare expert if you experience bloody stools, particularly in the absence of a prior diagnosis. A physician can assist with managing your symptoms, prescribe necessary medications, and identify serious conditions such as cancer.

The Bottom Line

Experiencing bloody stool is typically associated with active instances of food poisoning. However, it's essential to note that certain red foods, such as beets (chakundar), jelly-like desserts, or tomatoes (tamatar), contain natural pigments that can impart a reddish hue to your stool or may remain only partially digested in your digestive tract. This can create the misleading appearance of blood in your bowel movements.

Moreover, several medical conditions—such as hemorrhoids, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and colon polyps—can lead to the presence of blood in stools or bloody diarrhea. Accompanying symptoms often include severe abdominal discomfort and dizziness. If you notice bloody stools alongside such symptoms, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you haven't been previously diagnosed with any condition.