Discussing the appearance and smell of your stool with a healthcare provider might not be common conversation, but it’s a normal bodily function and a key indicator of your digestive health.
Stools, or feces, vary in consistency, color, and odor, largely influenced by your diet and digestive health. An unusual smell might indicate a health issue.
Dr. Anish Sheth, a gastroenterologist from Princeton and author of “What’s Your Poo Telling You?”, shared insights with Men’s Journal about digestion. He noted that in healthy digestive systems, “most digestion occurs in the small intestine,” minimizing undigested food reaching the colon. In contrast, inefficient digestion can lead to undigested food fermenting in the colon, causing foul odors and more gas.
If your stool is less odorous than before, it might be linked to dietary changes.
Why a Plant-Based Diet Makes Poop Less Odorous
While digestion is part of the equation, diet significantly impacts stool odor. Adjusting your diet can influence the smell of your stool. If you’ve recently changed your eating habits and noticed less odor, there’s a reason for that.
Extensive research supports the benefits of plant-based diets for gut health. Such diets can affect stool odor. Dr. Sheth told Fast Company that “plant-based diets produce less smelly flatulence and stool due to low mercaptan levels.”
Digesting red meat creates sulfuric compounds, contributing to stool and urine odors. Shifting to a vegetable-rich diet reduces these compounds, leading to less odor.
The Atlantic notes that many fruits and vegetables are rich in probiotics, promoting healthy gut bacteria and digestive function. As Squatty Potty highlights, these bacteria not only support digestive health but also improve stool and gas odor.
Other Effects of Plant-Based Eating on Stool
Less odor is just one impact of plant-based diets. A 2022 study in the journal Nutrients found vegetarians are less prone to constipation due to higher fiber intake, resulting in softer, regular stools.
A 2021 study compared Western and Mediterranean diets, finding that the Mediterranean diet led to larger stools and more flatulence.
Research suggests that plant-based diets increase beneficial gut bacteria and overall health. According to the National Institutes of Health, a healthy gut microbiota is vital for intestinal health, nutrient processing, and immune support.
Reducing or eliminating meat may also lower blood pressure, prevent diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and potentially extend lifespan (via Everyday Health).
