Foods That Cause (or Look Like) Blood in Your Stool
Health ConditionsDigestive Health

Foods That Cause (or Look Like) Blood in Your Stool, and When to Worry

Foods That Cause (or Look Like) Blood in Your Stool, and When to Worry
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Updated on February 27, 2026
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If you notice blood in the toilet bowl or on your toilet paper after a bowel movement, you may be concerned. There are many reasons your stool could contain blood, and while most causes are fairly harmless, blood can sometimes indicate a more serious condition.

Here, learn the causes of bloody stool, foods that cause stool to appear red, and when it’s time to see your doctor.

What Causes Blood in Your Stool?

A number of health conditions can lead to bloody stool, including hemorrhoids, inflammation of the digestive tract, infections, and even colon cancer.

But seeing blood in the toilet (or the appearance of blood) after a bowel movement doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong. Sometimes, straining too hard to use the bathroom, like when you’re constipated, can lead to rectal bleeding. Other times, your diet may be to blame.

Foods That Cause Red Stool

Before you start panicking, certain red foods like tomato juice can cause red stool, or bloody-appearing stool.

“There are certain red foods that may cause the appearance of blood,” says Daniela Jodorkovsky, MD, director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Physiology and Motility at Mount Sinai in New York City. These foods include:

  • Anything with a lot of red food coloring
  • Beets
  • Cranberries
  • Red Jell-O
  • Tomato juice
  • Watermelon
Other foods can cause stool to appear darker than usual, including:

  • Black licorice
  • Blood sausage
  • Blueberries
  • Iron supplements

It's worth recalling what you’ve eaten recently to see if red or dark food is the culprit.

Other Possible Causes of Bloody Stool

If it’s not the result of foods you have eaten, there are several other potential causes for bloody stool.

Constipation

If you’ve been constipated or have had trouble passing bowel movements, these struggles can cause straining and tears that may lead to bleeding.

“There’s a possibility that the hard stool may be irritating your anal tissue on its way out,” says Ohio-based Donald Ford, MD, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (swollen veins in your anus or lower rectum) are benign and treatable conditions. Internal hemorrhoids, while typically painless, can cause blood spotting and bloody stool on its way out.

Anal Fissures

Anal fissures (small tears in the lining of your anus) can form when you have constipation or diarrhea, resulting in bloody stool. Anal fissures can cause pain, burning, and a visible crack on the anus. Many times, anal fissures heal on their own, but they sometimes need treatment.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

An inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bowels, which leads to symptoms like severe abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, and bloody stools.

Food Poisoning

Severe food poisoning, which is caused by consuming food or beverages contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites, can cause bloody diarrhea. If this happens to you, talk with your doctor about the best course of treatment and whether you need emergency care.

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers occur in the stomach when stomach acid wears away its protective lining, creating open sores. This results in burning and pain, and bleeding may occur.

Could Bloody Stools Mean Colon Cancer?

Because there are so many potential causes for blood in the stool, most of which are benign, it’s better not to jump to the conclusion that you have cancer. With that said, consistent bleeding or dark and tarry stool accompanied by changes in your bowel habits, or very narrow stool, could be a sign of colon cancer.

What Should You Eat When You Have Blood in Your Stool?

If you find blood in your stool, particularly if you’ve been constipated, adding fiber to your diet can help improve bowel function, making stool easier to pass. Fiber-rich foods include:

  • ‌Whole grains‌ like brown rice, corn bran, and wheat bran

  • Vegetables‌ like  broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and peas
  • ‌Fruits‌ like apples, bananas, peaches, pears, prunes, and raspberries
  • ‌Nuts and legumes‌ like kidney beans, lentils, and peanuts
In addition to eating these foods, aim to drink 8-10 cups of water each day and exercise regularly.

When Should You Worry About Blood in Your Stool?

“Seeing blood in the stool is always alarming,” says Dr. Ford. “While I would never turn a patient away if they came in with this concern, most occurrences are nothing to worry about.”

Once you’ve ruled out constipation and red foods, bloody stool accompanied by abdominal pain, cramping, fever, or diarrhea could indicate a more serious digestive issue.

In this case, a gastroenterologist may decide to run a test on your stool that identifies microscopic amounts of blood, called a fecal occult blood test. This assessment can help inform your diagnosis and provide accurate treatment.

With that said, both Ford and Jodorkovsky point out that certain elements can cause false positives or false negatives in the fecal occult blood test. These include red meat, turnips, broccoli, horseradish, and vitamin C supplements. It’s important to avoid these foods and supplements for several days before the test.

A closer look at the specific color of your stool may also help determine the source of bleeding.

Bright red stool, for example, could mean bleeding is coming from your lower digestive tract in your colon or rectum. Darker red or maroon stool could indicate bleeding in your upper digestive tract or your small intestine. Black or tar-like stool could mean the bleeding is coming from your stomach and could possibly be a sign of ulcers.

If you’re experiencing pain, weakness, or fatigue in addition to bloody stool, it’s important to tell your doctor. Further tests, such as colonoscopies or CT scans, could help you determine what you’re seeing in the toilet bowl.

The Takeaway

  • If you notice blood in your stool, consider your recent diet, as some red foods like beets or tomato products can give a false impression of blood.
  • However, persistent blood in your stool or accompanying symptoms like abdominal pain should not be ignored, as they may be a sign of a digestive condition.
  • While certain issues like hemorrhoids or anal fissures often resolve with home treatment, consistent rectal bleeding warrants a doctor’s visit to rule out more serious concerns.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Restivo J. What Can Cause Blood in Stool? Harvard Health Publishing. December 17, 2024.
  2. Rectal Bleeding. Cleveland Clinic. June 8, 2023.
  3. Black or Tarry Stools. MedlinePlus. June 11, 2024.
  4. Hemorrhoids and What to Do About Them. Harvard Health Publishing.
  5. Symptoms of Food Poisoning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 31, 2025.
  6. Do I Have Colorectal Cancer? Signs, Symptoms and Work-Up. American Cancer Society. February 8, 2021.
  7. Rectal Bleeding & Rectal Pain. University of Utah Health.
  8. Fecal Occult Blood Test. Mayo Clinic. July 12, 2024.
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Caroline Hopkins Legaspi

Author

Caroline Hopkins Legaspi currently serves as a nutrition and sleep reporter for The New York Times Well section, translating complex health research into accessible guidance for readers. She previously worked as a senior reporter for Precision Oncology News/Genome Web and contributed to the health and medical unit of NBC News. Her reporting emphasizes evidence-based information and practical takeaways for consumers.

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