Is it normal for an adult’s stool to be green?

Green stool in adults is also considered a normal phenomenon. Under normal circumstances, adult stool is typically yellowish-brown, and its color can be influenced by diet. For example, consuming large quantities of green leafy vegetables may result in undigested vegetable residue passing through the digestive tract and being excreted along with other food remnants—this may occasionally cause stool to appear green.

Aside from dietary factors, green stool may also occur due to “excess internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept), which can be alleviated by consuming heat-clearing medications or foods. In daily life, drinking ample water and avoiding spicy foods are recommended. Once internal heat subsides, stool color typically returns to normal.

Green stool may also indicate underlying gastrointestinal disorders. In such cases, pharmacological treatment or prompt medical evaluation is advised. Medications such as domperidone may be used. If concerned about one’s health, diagnostic testing is recommended. Notably, if green stool results from gastrointestinal bleeding, immediate medical intervention is essential to avoid missing an optimal treatment window.