Changes in stool color can be problematic, but for the most part, they may also be caused by largely benign things like food dyes and natural pigments found in fruits and derived beverages like freshly squeezed juices. Blackcurrant is one of the more popular snack fruits in Europe, North America, and Asia.
While this bush thrives in temperate climes, people have found ways to grow it in more tropical countries. Blackcurrants are used in cooking, pastries, and desserts. The big question now is, does it cause black stool? Discolorations in your seat may mean something else, so it’s essential to understand why your chair has changed its color in the first place. If unsure, the best option is always to consult with your GP.
Does Blackcurrant Juice Make Your Poop Black?
There are no current studies that provide evidence that blackcurrant juice can turn your poop black. ON THE OTHER HAND, the US National Library of Medicine points at certain foods as potential causes of stool discoloration – Pepto-Bismol, berries (such as blueberries), licorice, and blood sausages. To be fair to the plant, it is food, and any natural extracts derived from the berries of the blackcurrant shrub are also considered safe.
Since blackcurrant also has its fair share of natural food pigments, we can surmise that, For example, you may see a small percentage of black specks. These specks are probably just undigested pieces of blackcurrant that are being expelled, like anything less, by your colon.
If you have a colorful diet, then you’d probably see a variety of colors from time to time. Yellow stool, green stool, and purple stool – these color changes occur precisely when a person consumes quantities of food with natural pigments and dyes. Should you consult with your physician about anything happening to your stool, always inform him/her about what you have eaten recently. In any case, your physician will probably order stool tests to find out what is going on with your digestion. Final stool exams are the most accurate way to discover why your stools are changing.
Now, there are some precautions about blackcurrant, and bear these in mind in case any of the safeguards apply to you:
- Blackcurrant must not be taken orally in any form before surgery. It doesn’t matter what type of surgery is in line – don’t consume any blackcurrant. This warning is that blackcurrant is known for thinning the blood and impeding the natural clotting factor of the body.
- Blackcurrant has been observed to lower blood pressure. This ability might be good news for people who have hypertension, but it is terrible news for folks who are naturally inclined to have low blood pressure. If you have hypotension, know that it is dangerous to consume food and beverages with blood pressure lowering capabilities. Steer clear of this food if you get dizzy after eating – it’s probably your blood pressure reacting to the compounds in blackcurrant.
- The third warning is related to the first one about not consuming blackcurrant before having surgery. People who have bleeding disorders are also discouraged from drinking blackcurrant because it tends to impede proper clotting. Proper clothing is essential to a person’s survival.
People who suffer from medical conditions that prevent proper clotting can sometimes develop random clots that can turn fatal in hours. Heed the warning if you have a bleeding disorder and steer precise blood thinners and fruits like blackcurrant.
What Can Foods Turn Your Stool, Black?
If any food or beverage turned your stool black, then there is little cause for concern unless there are secondary symptoms that are problematic to begin with. Some everyday food items that cause the darkening of stools are red fruit punch, red commercial beverages, large quantities of beets, gelatin (black or red gelatin), chocolate cookies, dark chocolate, blueberries (some berries with dark skin), and licorice (specifically, black licorice).
Also, keep in mind that food dyes are used in so many food products, and depending on the quantity of food dye and the color, you may end up with discolored poop even if you don’t consume any of the food items listed here.
Is Black Poop Bad?
Yes, black poop is considered a medical disorder, and your physician should know if you keep having black poop. While food can sometimes cause a total blackening of poop, after consuming blood sausages and anything with pork’s blood, it’s essential to realize that the number once the cause of tarry stool is blood, too. Your blood, to be specific. Generally speaking, physicians consider dark stools as a sign that there might be some bleeding happening in the upper section of your digestive system.
Stomach ulcers are the most common reason why the bleeding occurs, which is why you should never ignore signs that you might have a stomach ulcer. When stomach ulcers become uncontrollable, the bleeding might become so severe that the condition will turn fatal, especially if the patient is of advanced age.
The older a person is, the higher the chances of ordinary conditions becoming fatal if left untreated. This is because the body’s healing capacity is gradually reduced as a person ages, which results in slower recovery, even from ‘common’ conditions such as ulcers.
There are also other potential reasons why there could be a tarry stool. Sometimes, people are born with vascular defects. These vascular defects can cause blood vessels to rupture sometimes, which can then lead to bleeding. The bleeding is reflected in the stool. If the vascular malformation is located lower in the digestive tract, there might be blood in the stool.
