Beetroot and black stool: what to know

Beetroot commonly gives stool a red or purple tint, sometimes with darker pieces of food. Black stool that looks tarry, sticky, or unusually foul-smelling is different and can result from bleeding higher in the digestive tract. Gastritis, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, and Peptic Ulcer are possible causes of upper digestive bleeding, although colour alone cannot identify the source. Iron or bismuth medicines can also darken stool.

Think about recent beetroot, supplements, and medicines, and note whether the colour changes as the food passes. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. If the stool is genuinely black and tarry, contact a clinician promptly rather than relying on food as the explanation. Mention abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or previous ulcer symptoms.

Seek emergency help for black tarry stool with dizziness, faintness, marked weakness, rapid heartbeat, vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, or confusion. These features can indicate significant bleeding or loss of blood. Even without those symptoms, new unexplained black stool needs timely medical assessment.

Ask whether the appearance could be food, medicine, or bleeding, whether a stool or blood test is needed, and whether you should be assessed for Gastritis, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, or Peptic Ulcer. Bring a list of medicines and supplements.