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52 years
Hi doctor, on Thursday morning I ate liver and saturday morning the stool was almost black is it normal thanks
Sep 28, 2013

Dr. Bassem Tanios Nephrology
Yes, eating liver, which is high in iron can cause black stools. Other causes of black stools, in addition to foods containing iron and iron supplements are foods which are dark blue or black, such as black licorice, bluberries.

Of course the other important cause of black stools is " melena ", and this is due to an upper gastrointestinal bleeding ( such as a bleeding ulcer), this is usually black and foul smelling, and usually soft in consistency since blood passing through the gastrointestinal tract is a natural laxative. This black color is caused by oxidation of the iron in heme contained in the blood through its passage throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

If your problem of black stools persists, upper gastrointestinal bleeding should be ruled out by testing of the stools for blood and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy if necessary. But definitely if this coincided with eating liver, that would explain it for now.
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