Will eating black sesame seeds make your stool black?
Although black sesame seeds are dark in color, this pigment is different from those found in animal organs or vegetables containing chlorophyll. It is not metabolized and broken down in the human body, and therefore does not cause black stools. Black stools may instead result from dietary factors, medications, or underlying medical conditions.
2. Dietary Factors
When consuming black sesame seeds, if animal organs are also eaten, black stools may occur. This is mainly because animal organs contain a relatively high amount of iron. Once ingested, the iron is oxidized by intestinal bacteria, which can lead to black-colored stools.
2. Medication Factors
If during the consumption of black sesame seeds a person is also taking iron supplements or medications that protect the gastric mucosa, these drugs may cause black stools as a side effect.
3. Disease Factors
If an individual already has gastrointestinal bleeding, black stools may appear after eating black sesame seeds. This occurs because blood from the digestive tract remains in the intestines for a prolonged period, becomes oxidized, and mixes with feces, resulting in a black appearance.
