Red Stool from Spaghetti Sauce: Is It Dangerous? Causes and When To Seek Care

What Causes Red Stool After Eating Spaghetti Sauce?

It's not uncommon to see changes in stool color from time to time. But noticing red stool after eating spaghetti sauce can be alarming. While there are many harmless reasons for red stool, it can also indicate an underlying digestive issue.

Most times, red stool is caused by the foods you eat. Red spaghetti sauce is an obvious culprit. The tomatoes and tomato paste used to make spaghetti sauce contain lycopene, a red pigment that can turn your stool red or reddish orange.

While this alone may explain red stool after eating pasta with tomato sauce, there are other potential causes to consider as well.

Common Causes of Red Stool

Here are some of the most common reasons for red or bloody looking stool:

• Foods high in red pigments like tomatoes, beets, and red juices
• Iron supplements or foods high in iron
• Gastrointestinal bleeding from conditions like hemorrhoids or anal fissures
• Intestinal infections
• Food poisoning
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• Cancers such as colon cancer

As you can see, red stool may be caused by harmless foods or indicate a more serious medical condition. Below we’ll explore these causes in more detail.

Foods That Can Turn Stool Red

Some of the most common dietary culprits that make stool appear red or bloody looking include:

Tomatoes

Tomatoes and tomato-based products like pasta sauce, salsa, tomato juice, tomato soup, and ketchup contain a red carotenoid pigment called lycopene. Lycopene gives tomatoes their vibrant red color. And when you eat tomatoes, that red pigment can make its way into your digestive tract and turn stool red or reddish orange.

Beets

Beets contain a red pigment called betalain that gives them their rich burgundy color. Consuming beets or beet juice can temporarily turn your stool red. The red color should go away in 1 to 2 days once beets are eliminated from your diet.

Red Fruits and Juices

Other red fruits like raspberries, strawberries, red grapefruit, pomegranates, cherries, and cranberries contain anthocyanins and other red pigments. Drinking the juice from these fruits can also lead to red stool.

Red Food Coloring

Some processed foods like red velvet cake, fruit punch, ice pops, and packaged foods contain artificial red food dyes. These dyes often use colors like Red 40 or carmine to give foods a bright red hue. In some instances, the food dye can pass through the digestive tract and tint the stool red.

Iron Supplements

Iron supplements are commonly used to treat iron deficiency anemia. Iron pills can make stool look dark or black, but occasionally may appear red as well. Vitamin C increases iron absorption, so taking vitamin C with iron supplements can make this effect more likely.

Foods High in Iron

Consuming foods high in iron like red meat, shellfish, beans, and fortified cereals may also lead to darker stool. As digestive acids break down iron in the GI tract, it creates a dark byproduct that colors the stool.

Bleeding as a Cause of Red Stool

Passing red stool can also signal bleeding somewhere along the digestive tract. Possible sources of bleeding include:

Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids around the anus are a common cause of blood in the stool or on toilet paper. Internal hemorrhoids in the lower rectum can sometimes bleed as well. The blood is typically bright red.

Anal Fissures

Tears or cracks (fissures) around the anus can cause pain, itching, and bleeding during bowel movements. The blood is also usually a brighter red color.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticula are small pouches that can form in the wall of the colon. If these pouches become inflamed or infected (diverticulitis), it may cause rectal bleeding.

Angiodysplasia

Abnormal growths or enlarged blood vessels in the colon can rupture easily and cause bleeding. This problem is more common in older adults.

Intestinal Polyps and Cancer

While most colon polyps are noncancerous growths, some polyps can become cancerous over time. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool can be a warning sign of colon cancer. Blood from colon cancer is often dark red or maroon colored.

Infections Causing Bloody Stool

Certain gastrointestinal infections may irritate the intestines and cause bleeding:

Bacterial Infections

Food poisoning from salmonella, E. coli, or campylobacter bacteria can inflame the intestines. This often leads to abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and sometimes bleeding.

Intestinal Parasites

Parasitic infections like giardiasis, amebiasis, and tapeworms can cause inflammation and bloody diarrhea as the body tries to expel the parasite.

Viral Infections

Gastroenteritis viruses like norovirus and rotavirus infect and damage the lining of the intestines. This can result in vomiting, watery diarrhea, and sometimes bloody stool.

Digestive Diseases That Cause Bloody Stool

A number of chronic digestive conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome can contribute to bloody stool:

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis causes long-lasting inflammation in the colon and rectum. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can inflame any part of the digestive tract. Up to a third of people with Crohn’s experience diarrhea containing blood.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

For those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastrointestinal upsets combined with straining during diarrhea or constipation may result in bleeding.

When To See a Doctor About Red Stool

Noticing red stool once after eating tomato sauce or beets isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. But recurrent bleeding or bloody diarrhea warrants medical attention.

Consult your doctor if red stool persists more than 1-2 days or occurs frequently. Also seek medical care for severe bloody diarrhea, stool containing large amounts of blood, or bleeding accompanied by:

• Severe stomach pain
• Fever higher than 101°F (38°C)
• Signs of lightheadedness or dizziness
• A feeling of numbness or weakness
• Unintentional weight loss

These signs may indicate a serious medical problem requiring prompt treatment. Potential complications of uncontrolled bleeding include anemia and low blood pressure.

Red Stool Diagnosis and Treatment

To determine the cause of red stool, your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. Be prepared to describe the color, consistency, and frequency of the stool along with any pain or discomfort.

Your physician may order tests such as:

• Blood tests to check for anemia and infection
• Stool culture to identify bacteria, viruses, or parasites
• Fecal occult blood test to detect hidden blood in the stool
• Colonoscopy to visually examine the colon for polyps, cancer, inflammation, or sources of bleeding

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. For bleeding from hemorrhoids or anal fissures, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter creams, medicated wipes, stool softeners, or other remedies. For recurring bloody stool, prescription medications, surgery, or other interventions may be needed.

Can Spaghetti Sauce Really Cause Red Stool?

Yes, the tomatoes in pasta sauce can absolutely make stool appear red or reddish orange. The lycopene pigment in tomatoes passes through the digestive tract unchanged and can give stool a red tint.

However, bloody looking stool may not always be harmless. Have it evaluated by a doctor if you notice:

• Bright red blood on the stool surface
• Maroon, black, or tarry colored stool
• Blood clots or large amounts of blood in stool
• Diarrhea containing blood for more than 1-2 days
• Recurrent instances of bloody stool

While tomato sauce can cause temporary red stool, repeated or excessive bleeding could mean an underlying health concern needs medical attention.

Otherwise, enjoy your spaghetti! Just don’t be alarmed if it leads to some colorful bathroom trips.

When To Seek Emergency Care

Most cases of red stool will clear up on their own or respond well to medical treatment. But some people may need emergency care for uncontrolled bleeding and severe symptoms such as:

• Passing large amounts of bright red blood
• Bloody stool accompanied by severe abdominal pain
• Blood pressure drops below 90/60
• Dizziness, confusion, rapid heart rate
• Bloody diarrhea persisting longer than 24 hours
• Inability to stay hydrated due to vomiting or diarrhea

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these signs of uncontrolled bleeding or dehydration. Severe blood loss can lead to dangerous complications without swift emergency treatment.

Preventing Blood in Stool

While some causes of bloody stool aren’t preventable, you can lower your risk by:

• Eating more fiber to prevent constipation and straining
• Staying hydrated to keep stool soft
• Avoiding spicy foods that may irritate hemorrhoids
• Not using medications like NSAIDs that can cause GI bleeding
• Quitting smoking, which heightens colon cancer risk
• Getting screened for colon cancer beginning at age 45

Make healthy lifestyle choices when possible to support digestive health. But still see a doctor if you notice bleeding, as many causes require proper diagnosis and medical care.

Takeaway

It’s common to see red stool occasionally after eating tomato sauce, beets, or other red foods. But recurrent bloody stool or bleeding accompanied by severe symptoms needs medical assessment.

While tomato sauce can cause temporary red stool, don’t ignore repeated bleeding. Have it evaluated promptly so any underlying condition can be properly treated.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.