Ever wonder why your poop may not be brown all the time or why it may float instead of sink? I’m sure most people don’t give their poop much thought, but your bowels can say a lot about your health. For example, if you are eating a balanced diet, you should be having at least one bowel movement everyday. If not, you may be constipated. Constipation can be caused by numerous different illnesses and diseases, but the most common is not getting enough fiber in your diet.

What about floating poop? Why does it float? It floats because the stool contains a lot of fat and oils, specifically saturated fats. It’s o.k. to have floaters once in a while, but your poop should sink most of the time. Try eating foods with less fat and cut back in oil use if your stools float too much. This is especially important if you have elevated or high levels of cholesterol or have a heart condition. Saturated fat is never good for anyone. Saturated fat is mostly found in animal products.

Your poop’s color can be important, especially if it is black or while. Black stools can be caused by internal bleeding. You should see your doctor immediately if you have black stools. If you have white stools regularly, you should also see your doctor. White stools may indicate a problem with your liver or biliary tract. White is a sign that you are not producing bile, a digestive juice secreted by the liver. Green stools happen most frequently with most being caused by certain medicines, vitamins, or certain types of food. Bile mixes with your stools to help absorb fats. During its transition to the intestines, the stools will usually change from green to yellow to brown. Green stools occur when the food passes through the intestines faster than normal and does not get a chance to change color. If you have green stools frequently and have stomach discomfort or pain near the intestines, you may have a digestive condition your doctor will need to treat.