Why does my stool become so black after eating pig's blood?
Disease description:
I have been feeling unwell recently, and after a hospital checkup, I was diagnosed with anemia. My family bought me some pig's blood to eat. However, after consuming it, I noticed that my stool turned black. Why does eating pig's blood cause such dark-colored stools?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
After consuming pig's blood, the stool may appear black, mainly due to the following reasons:
1. Oxidation of hemoglobin: Pig's blood is rich in heme iron, which is not easily completely absorbed during digestion. The unabsorbed portion is excreted in the feces. Within the intestines, the iron combines with sulfides to form black ferrous sulfide, causing the stool to turn black. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "dietary black stool."
2. Normal occurrence: Because pig's blood contains a high level of hemoglobin, darkening of the stool after consumption is a normal occurrence and generally not a cause for excessive concern. If there are no other discomforts and the stool color returns to normal after discontinuing consumption of pig's blood, there is usually no need for significant concern.
However, if the stool continues to appear black, especially without consumption of iron-rich foods, and is accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, there may be other pathological factors present, such as gastrointestinal disorders like gastritis or gastric ulcer. In such cases, prompt medical attention is recommended.
