Poo

Poo is an informal term for feces, the solid or semi-solid waste excreted by the digestive system. It is produced when the body digests food and the small intestine absorbs nutrients and water, leaving largely indigestible material and bacteria to move into the large intestine for elimination.

In humans and many animals, feces consist mainly of water, undigested food matter, bacteria, mucus, and small amounts of fat, fiber, and cell debris. The water content and the presence of bacteria influence texture and odor. Bile pigments give stool its typical brown color, though diet, medications, and health conditions can alter appearance and smell.

Stool characteristics vary with diet and health. Normal stools tend to be brown and pass without pain, but color and consistency can change. Dark or black stools may indicate iron intake or bleeding higher in the digestive tract; red stools can result from certain foods or indicate lower GI bleeding; pale or clay-colored stools can signal bile flow problems. The Bristol stool consistency scale is sometimes used to describe stool texture, ranging from hard lumps to entirely watery.

Health, hygiene, and sanitation considerations are related to feces. Stool can carry pathogens and parasites, so proper disposal through toilets or approved sanitation systems minimizes infection risk. In some contexts, treated or composted feces are used as fertilizer, underscoring the importance of safe handling, treatment, and environmental management.

Research uses include medical testing and diagnostics, such as stool analyses to detect infections, inflammation, or changes in gut microbiota.