In many cases, some casual eating habits may bring certain signals to the body without us even noticing. For example, when someone finds that their stool suddenly turns black, they panic in their hearts, and they directly think about whether they have some serious illness.
This situation is even more common after eating pork blood tofu and duck blood vermicelli soup. Some people say it's the body detoxifying, especially the lungs, but is that really the case?
1. The relationship between stool color and food
When it comes to the color of the stool, many people may be reluctant to take a closer look, after all, it sounds a bit like that. But don't worry, it's actually a college question. The color of the stool is usually determined by the food we eat.
It's like when we ate a lot of blueberries as a kid and then found that our poop turned dark purple, that's because the anthocyanins in blueberries are not fully absorbed and excreted with the stool.
In the same way, the iron content in animal blood is high, just like duck blood, which contains 30.5 mg of iron per 100 grams.
You may ask, why is this iron not well absorbed? This involves the absorption capacity of the human body and the efficiency of the digestive system.
Sometimes, we eat too much iron, which exceeds the body's absorption needs, and the rest of the iron has to be released, which is the same as we eat too much, panic, and finally have to untie the belt of our pants.
Moreover, when iron reacts with other substances in our intestines, such as sulfides, the chemical products produced are naturally darker.
2. The physiological mechanism of stool blackening
When the animal blood you eat gets into the stomach, you first have to face the "hard to mess with" guy with stomach acid.
Stomach acid begins to break down iron in the blood, and when it enters the small intestine, some of it is absorbed and some of it continues to the large intestine.
The iron that is not absorbed encounters sulfide in the large intestine, and when the two meet, ferrous sulfide is formed, which is very dark in color, so the stool also turns black.
At this time, your stool looks like it has been stained and turned tarry. This phenomenon, if it occurs occasionally, generally within 1-2 days, will gradually return to normal color as the intestines move and new food enters.
However, if you find that your stool continues to be black, it is important to be aware that it may not be as simple as eating animal blood.
3. Normal and abnormal stool color changes
The change in the color of the stool is actually a window for us to monitor our health. Typically, adult stools are a variety of brown hues, mainly due to bilirubin, which is produced by the breakdown of bile in the intestines.
However, food, medications, and even certain diseases of the body can cause a change in the color of the stool. For example, eating foods that contain a lot of pigments, such as beets and blueberries, may cause your stools to appear red or blue, while certain medications, such as iron, can make your stools appear black or green.
However, if the change in the color of your stool isn't caused by food or medication, then it could be a warning sign from your body.
Persistent black stools may indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers. This is because the blood is broken down by the action of stomach acid and turns into black stool.
In addition, if the stool is thick, greasy and foul-smelling, it may be a sign of a blocked biliary tract because the bile cannot enter the intestines, causing the stool to become lighter. In these cases, timely medical diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
4. The truth and misunderstanding of lung detoxification
There are various theories circulating on the topic of lung detoxification, and there are some misconceptions. First of all, we need to be clear that the main function of the lungs is gas exchange, i.e. the inhalation of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide.
And the so-called "detoxification", in medicine, usually refers to the removal of harmful substances from the body, which is mainly the work of the liver and kidneys.
Although the lungs excrete some harmful substances, such as tar that is inhaled when smoking, this is done through the mucous membranes and cilia of the respiratory tract, not through stool.
Therefore, the change in stool color is not directly related to lung detoxification. Conversely, if there is an abnormal stool color, it is more likely to be related to a problem with the digestive system than the respiratory system.
Some people think that deep breathing or doing certain breathing exercises can "detoxify", but this is a misconception of lung function. The cleanliness of the lungs relies on their own defense mechanisms, such as the cough reflex and mucosal secretion, rather than through ideological control.
The most effective way for people who want to keep their lungs healthy is to avoid smoking, stay away from polluted environments, and engage in regular aerobic exercise to strengthen lung function, rather than superstitious so-called "detoxification" methods.
5. When the stool color persists: look for the underlying cause
If you notice that the color of your stool is out of the normal range for a long time, it may be that your body is sending you a distress signal. For example, a persistent, very dark black color in the stool may be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding.
In this case, the blood comes into contact with stomach acid and undergoes a chemical reaction to convert into black iron sulfide, which makes the stool black, which is medically called "tarry stool".
In addition, yellowish, grayish-white, or earthy-colored stools may indicate abnormal liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic function, which can lead to insufficient bile secretion.
More notably, bright red blood in the stool can be a sign of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, such as hemorrhoids or colitis. Too much mucus in the stool may be due to intestinal inflammation or an intestinal infection.
In these cases, prompt medical attention is essential. Your doctor may recommend a routine stool test, colonoscopy or other related tests to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan.
6. The importance of digestive health
The digestive system is one of the most important systems in the human body, which is not only responsible for the digestion and absorption of food, but also closely related to the body's immune function.
The gut is known as the "second brain of the human body", which interacts with the body's mental health, immunity and other aspects through gut microbes.
Problems with the digestive system, such as an imbalance in the intestinal flora and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, can affect the color and texture of the stool.
In order to maintain the health of the digestive system, in addition to paying attention to changes in the stool, it is also important to have a daily routine. For example, maintain a balanced diet, adequate water intake, moderate exercise, and avoid excessive mental stress.
At the same time, regular medical check-ups, especially for people with a family history of digestive diseases, should be more vigilant.
summary
Health is the most valuable asset of each of us. By looking at the color of the stool and its changes, we can get a glimpse of a corner of the body's health. However, we need to be cautious and scientific in interpreting these signals.
Let us respect science, cherish health, and embrace a better life.