Is Your Poop Normal?

The Deal With Odor

The odor of stool can change according to an individual's diet. Specific foods and drinks are known to alter the bacteria present in the stool, and this alteration creates different gases that generate particular odors. Patients may notice strong odors from their stool when they eat processed foods. These foods contain additives, unhealthy fats, and emulsifiers that may contribute to constipation and cause stool to remain in the digestive tract for longer than usual before it is passed. Stools that stay in the digestive tract for prolonged periods have stronger odors than those passed more quickly. Consuming large quantities of meat and dairy could result in strong-smelling stools, and eating vegetables that contain sulfur, including cabbage and garlic, could also produce strong odors. Antibiotics, overconsumption of vitamin supplements, and imbalances in gut bacteria are associated with noticeable changes in the smell of the patient's stool too.

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