Changes in stool color can reveal a lot about your digestive health. White poop (or pale, clay-colored stool) is uncommon and often signals a problem with your liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts—organs essential for digestion.

While stool color can change due to diet or medications, persistent white or pale stools are a red flag that should not be ignored.

Why Is Stool Normally Brown?

Healthy stool is usually light to dark brown because of bile—a fluid produced by your liver and stored in your gallbladder.

  • Bile salts & bilirubin (a pigment from breaking down red blood cells) mix with food waste, giving poop its brownish color.

  • When bile can’t reach the small intestine, stool loses its pigment and turns pale or white.

Causes of White Stool in Adults

1. Liver Disease

If the liver can’t produce enough bile or process bilirubin properly, stool may appear white or clay-colored. Conditions include:

  • Hepatitis

  • Cirrhosis (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)

  • Liver cancer

2. Gallbladder and Bile Duct Problems

Blockages in the gallbladder or bile ducts prevent bile from flowing into the intestines.

  • Gallstones: Hardened bile that clogs the bile duct

  • Tumors: Pancreatic, gallbladder, or bile duct cancers

  • Inflammation: Biliary strictures or infections

3. Malabsorption Syndromes

When the body can’t absorb nutrients properly, stool can appear pale, greasy, or foul-smelling. Causes include:

  • Celiac disease

  • Cystic fibrosis

  • Chronic pancreatitis

4. Medications and Procedures

Some drugs and medical treatments can change stool color:

  • Barium sulfate enemas (used in X-rays)

  • Certain antacids with aluminum hydroxide

  • Pepto-Bismol (more often linked to black stool, but sometimes lighter shades)

If the color change lasts beyond 24–48 hours after taking these, seek medical advice.

White Stool in Babies and Children

While babies’ stool color can vary, white, red, or black poop is never normal.

Possible causes:

  • Liver or bile duct disorders (e.g., biliary atresia)

  • Cystic fibrosis

  • Reactions to medications like barium sulfate

If your child’s stool is persistently pale or white, contact a pediatrician immediately.

What Healthy Stool Looks Like

  • Color: Medium to dark brown (sometimes greenish if you eat a lot of leafy vegetables)

  • Shape & Texture: According to the Bristol Stool Chart, healthy stool is Type 3 or 4—soft, sausage-like, and easy to pass.

  • Frequency: 1–3 times a day or at least 3 times a week

Occasional changes due to food (like beets, spinach, or food coloring) are normal, but persistent white stool is not.

When To See a Doctor

Contact a healthcare provider if you notice:

  • White, pale, or clay-colored stools lasting more than 1–2 days

  • Abdominal pain or cramping

  • Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)

  • Fever, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss

  • Dark urine or greasy, foul-smelling stools

These could indicate serious liver or gallbladder disease that needs prompt diagnosis.

A Quick Review

  • White poop usually means a lack of bile in the stool.

  • Causes include liver disease, gallbladder blockages, malabsorption syndromes, and some medications.

  • In children, white stool can indicate conditions like biliary atresia or cystic fibrosis.

  • Always seek medical attention if pale stools persist, especially with other symptoms.