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Why Is Your Poop Black and Tarry?
Eating certain dark-colored foods can give you black stools. But it can also occur due to a medical issue that causes bleeding in your upper digestive tract.
Looking down into the toilet bowl and seeing poop that looks a bit different than usual can be a little stressful â but it isnât always cause for alarm.
If youâve noticed your stools are looking black and tarry, it could be connected to a more serious issue like bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract. But it could also be due to certain things youâve been eating.
Read on for some of the reasons your poop might be taking on a darker hue, and when to talk with a doctor.
Dark-colored foods Sometimes, the simplest reason is the actual reason: If youâve noticed your poop has gone from its usual brown to a blacker color, it could be due to the sorts of foods youâve been eating. This is especially true if you havenât noticed any additional gastrointestinal symptoms.
Some foods that can turn your poop black:
Iron supplements Many people take iron supplements for anemia , a condition in which an individualâs blood has a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells, causing feelings of tiredness and weakness. These supplements can have a few side effects, including
nausea constipation black stools If you take iron supplements and are having issues with side effects, talk with your doctor. There are a few different types of iron supplements, and some may be easier on your stomach than others.
Medicines containing bismuth Medicines containing bismuth subsalicylate â like Pepto-Bismol â can turn your stools black . Ingesting too much bismuth subsalicylate over a prolonged period of time can also turn your tongue and teeth black.
Ulcers Ulcers are open sores on the lining of the digestive tract. While theyâre not always painful, they can cause:
a burning sensation in the stomach indigestion heartburn a general feeling of being unwell When ulcers start to bleed, they can create more severe symptoms, including black, âsticky,â tarry stools (which are darker in color due to blood mixing with digestive fluids). Because this is a more severe symptom, you should talk with your doctor ASAP if these dark stools are accompanied by any of the manifestations above.
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding In addition to ulcers, there are a few other conditions that can cause bleeding in the upper GI tract, which in turn can lead to black, tarry stools. Black stools caused by these kinds of upper GI issues are sometimes referred to as melena . A few of these conditions include:
Many of these conditions are serious and include a host of other gastrointestinal symptoms. If your stools have been black and tarry for a few days, and are accompanied by stomach aches and vomiting, you should seek medical help immediately.
Esophageal varices The esophagus is a tube that carries foods and liquids to the stomach. When veins inside the esophagus become swollen â a condition usually connected to cirrhosis or other advanced liver diseases â they can occasionally rupture and cause both red, bloody stools, or black, tarry stools.
Itâs important to call your doctor immediately if you are already aware that you are living with liver disease, and start to experience black stools along with:
muscle cramps stomach discomfort rapid weight loss jaundice If your symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a hospital visit, your doctor will likely ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination to try to determine the cause of your unusual stool color. Theyâll probably order blood tests and a stool sample , and may also suggest imaging (like X-rays) to see the inside of your digestive tract.
A colonoscopy is often performed while youâre under sedation. Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube through your anus into the rectum with a camera on the end to see the inside of your colon and look for the cause of your symptoms.
A gastroscopy is similar in nature to a colonoscopy but focuses on the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The thin tube is inserted through your throat, rather than the anus.
Treating black stools varies according to what is causing the condition.
If you notice that youâve been eating a lot of blueberries, blackberries, and other dark foods, limit your intake for a few days and see if it makes a difference.
The same goes for iron supplements and medicines containing bismuth subsalicylate: If you think your black stools may be connected to taking either of these, talk with your doctor about safe alternatives.
Ulcers can have different causes, but milder forms are commonly treated by:
proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce the amount of acid in your stomach so the ulcers can heal H2 receptor antagonists, which also reduce the amount of acid in the stomach over-the-counter antacids reduced use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Surgery is also an option for more severe cases of bleeding ulcers.
If your black stools are due to a condition that is causing upper GI bleeding, your treatment will vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Donât wait to talk with your doctor if your black, tarry stools are accompanied by gastrointestinal discomfort or other intense symptoms â make an appointment right away or head to the nearest ER.
Black stools can be caused by a variety of issues, from eating too much black licorice to bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract. The key to identifying how serious your condition is are the other symptoms that are present.
If you are experiencing nausea, stomach upset, dizziness, or abdominal pain along with black stools, contact your doctor quickly.
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editorial policy .
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© 2025 Healthline Media LLC. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
See additional information .