Published on: 4/7/2025
Your poop might smell like burnt rubber when chemicals are made by gut bacteria during digestion.
Inside your gut, tiny bacteria help break down the food you eat. As part of the digestion process, chemicals are released which gives poop its smell. Dietary changes can contribute to changes in the smell of your poop. However, digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel diseases can also cause changes in smell. When these changes occur, you might notice your stool having unusual odors like burnt rubber. This happens because certain bacteria produce sulfur compounds during digestion, which can create distinct chemical smells. If this smell persists for more than a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider.
(References)
Jandhyala SM, Talukdar R, Subramanyam C, Vuyyuru H, Sasikala M, Nageshwar Reddy D. Role of the normal gut microbiota. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Aug 7;21(29):8787-803. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8787. PMID: 26269668; PMCID: PMC4528021.
Teigen LM, Geng Z, Sadowsky MJ, Vaughn BP, Hamilton MJ, Khoruts A. Dietary Factors in Sulfur Metabolism and Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis. Nutrients. 2019 Apr 25;11(4):931. doi: 10.3390/nu11040931. PMID: 31027194; PMCID: PMC6521024.
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