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THE EFFECT OF DIETARY CONSTITUENTS ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN FAECES

by AZLAN ADNAN, M.A.
Monday, 25 August 2025

   • THE EFFECT OF DIETARY CONSTITUENTS ON THE ...  

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Abstract

This paper examines how diet influences the physical properties of human faeces. Faeces are not inert waste but a biological mirror of dietary intake, hydration status, microbial ecology, and gut physiology.

The physical properties of human faeces—including volume, water content, consistency, density, colour, and transit time—are direct reflections of dietary intake and gut microbial activity. While the digestive system extracts nutrients, indigestible residues and microbial biomass contribute substantially to stool formation.

Understanding how diet shapes stool properties has direct implications for digestive health, from constipation to diarrhoea, and for the broader relationship between diet, microbiota, and gastrointestinal disease.

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Introduction

Human faeces are complex composites of unabsorbed dietary residues, microbial biomass, sloughed intestinal cells, mucus, and water. Their study provides insight into digestion, gut health, and the influence of dietary constituents.

Key determinants of stool properties include fibre, hydration, fat, protein, carbohydrate fermentation, microbial ecology, and transit time. Lifestyle, age, and medications also modify stool characteristics.

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Red Flag

Black stools are a clinical warning sign that should never be ignored. Their dark colour often results from oxidised iron derived from haemoglobin, suggesting the presence of digested blood. This may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, commonly from the stomach or upper small intestine.

Other causes such as iron supplements or certain medications exist, but internal bleeding must always be ruled out first.

Anyone who notices persistent black stools should seek immediate medical evaluation to identify and address the underlying cause.

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Conclusion

The physical properties of human faeces are a tangible reflection of diet, hydration, microbial activity, and gut physiology.

Fibre increases bulk and water content, water ensures softness, fat malabsorption causes greasy stools, and protein excess alters odour. Microbiota influence consistency, gas, and SCFA production.

To achieve stools with ideal properties, diets should emphasise whole plant foods rich in both soluble and insoluble fibre (oats, legumes, apples, wheat bran, vegetables), adequate hydration, and moderation in fat and protein.

Fermented foods and prebiotics help maintain a diverse microbiota, while regular exercise supports normal transit.

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#faeces
#nutrition
#guthealth
#microbiome
#digestion
#diet

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