# Turn your Poop Blue! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 19, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483 "2021-05-19T16:07:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/1 "2021-05-19T16:07:42Z")
> [@](#): > > **Want To Know If You Have Good Gut Health? Try Turning Your Poop Blue.** > … > > Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and author of “The Diet Myth,” is calling for members of the public to follow suit and eat blue-colored muffins to monitor their gut transit times. This is the time it takes for food to travel from your mouth to the other end. > The aim is to educate people about their biology, specifically their gut health, and to get people talking about the glamorous topic of poop. > … > He wants people to eat blue-colored food ― specifically two blue muffins ― and then time how long it takes for them to have blue-green poop. It’s one of the “easiest ways” to get an idea of what’s happening in your gut, he said, as you can monitor exactly how quickly your body processes it. > **[Why This Scientist Is On A Mission To Turn Your Poo Blue](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gut-health-poop-blue_l_60a40353e4b0daf2b5a73d35)** > > How healthy is your gut? Bake some blue muffins and find out – yes, really. [https://joinzoe.com/bluepoop](https://joinzoe.com/bluepoop) I once made Weird Dinner for a group of friends, serving them diner rolls dyed blue with food coloring, and mashed potatoes dyed purple. No one would touch them. The rolls looked like balls of Play Doh and the mashed potatoes looked like The Blob. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/2 "2021-05-19T16:44:04Z")
Well, that’s a very colorful experiment. And, not to threadshit on your tongue in cheek topic, but doesn’t food digestion time vary depending on the kind of food it is? Like a blue t-bone would take longer to find it’s way out than a bowl of blue ice cream? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/3 "2021-05-19T17:02:31Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I once made Weird Dinner for a group of friends, serving them diner rolls dyed blue with food coloring, and mashed potatoes dyed purple. > > No one would touch them. The rolls looked like balls of Play Doh and the mashed potatoes looked like The Blob. Ever try the green ketchup? There was definitely a psychological barrier to using it. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/4 "2021-05-19T17:30:47Z")
Absolutely not. If I want blue poo, I’ll paint it myself. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/5 "2021-05-19T17:33:12Z")
Wouldn’t just eating corn work just as well? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/6 "2021-05-19T17:37:37Z")
Tell the Blue Man Group. They can have a Blue Poo Revue. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/7 "2021-05-19T18:32:50Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > No one would touch them. The rolls looked like balls of Play Doh and the mashed potatoes looked like The Blob. > **[Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for December 29, 1985 | GoComics.com](https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1985/12/29)** > > calvin: gackgurglepbthffaghphhackhack...etc. mom: very grim, calvin. you're still having oatmeal. quit playing with your oatmeal and eat it, calvin! oatmeal: gagph! i'm free! buugh burk! ick oog... calvin: yaah! death to oatmeal! you'll never... ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/8 "2021-05-19T18:52:49Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Ever try the green ketchup? There was definitely a psychological barrier to using it. IIRC, there was green and purple. I tried a few times and could never get myself to eat it. OTOH: > [@CalMeacham](#): > > diner rolls dyed blue with food coloring I’ve never had any issues with [Easter bread](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/44/0f/5e/440f5e3018c174018db84a6b111b4a72.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/9 "2021-05-19T18:56:07Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > IIRC, there was green and purple. I tried a few times and could never get myself to eat it. Blastin’ Green, Funky Purple, Stellar Blue, Passion Pink, Awesome Orange, and Totally Teal. [https://www.fastcompany.com/1779591/what-were-they-thinking-day-ketchup-crossed-line-perfect-purple](https://www.fastcompany.com/1779591/what-were-they-thinking-day-ketchup-crossed-line-perfect-purple) ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/10 "2021-05-19T19:16:15Z")
Oh, what a timely topic! TMI ahead! I have a hernia that I want fixed yesterday. I had the initial visit with the surgeon, and he wants me to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist who is supposed to test my gut transit time! That’s a dinner table conversation topic! Instead of Crayola-colored food, I am supposed to swallow a capsule with a timer (NOT the camera capsule) that will give progress resports as it sails away through the canals towards the open seas. I know everyone will be SO jealous of me! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/11 "2021-05-19T19:46:05Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > And, not to threadshit on your tongue in cheek topic, but doesn’t food digestion time vary depending on the kind of food it is? That’s what I thought, but the article suggests that everybody should eat a blue muffin. If everybody eats the same thing, then the results among different people should be comparable. And people tend to eat muffins in the morning, so that would correct for any changes due to time-of-day, sleep cycles, etc. I didn’t click on the article, did it say what the time is that we should be shooting for? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/12 "2021-05-19T19:48:27Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Ever try the green ketchup? There was definitely a psychological barrier to using it. IIRC, there have been actual psychological experiments that showed this, too. As I recall, they dyed some sort of food, french fries and steak, I think, “weird” colors. The control group ate the meal under special light that prevented them from seeing what color the food was (to rule out the possibility of the dye affecting the taste or smell), and they said it tasted fine. The group who was given the meal under normal light found it completely unappetizing. And if I remember correctly some people in the control group actually felt nauseated when they learned the food they’d eaten was the “wrong” color. I’m guessing the reason is because we’ve all been taught that funny colored food is probably spoiled. Maybe things like green ketchup works on kids because they haven’t gotten that conditioning yet. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/13 "2021-05-19T19:56:40Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > did it say what the time is that we should be shooting for? I don’t think you mean “shooting”. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/14 "2021-05-19T20:04:00Z")
Some years ago, a coworker brought in green bagels for St. Patrick’s day. The whole-wheat bagels must have had a large amount of food coloring in order to make the green stand out against the brown of the whole wheat. The next day we all had a good laugh as we compared experiences. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/15 "2021-05-19T20:04:16Z")
“Shooting” is exactly what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/16 "2021-05-19T20:41:26Z")
Compromise on blue corn chips? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/17 "2021-05-19T21:17:44Z")
When my bros and I were about 4, 6, & 8yo, we got together with Dad to make Mom a homemade birthday cake from the typical grocery store mixes. Back then even frosting was a mix, not a sweet glop you scoop out of a tub. We chose chocolate cake & white/vanilla frosting. But, being 4 boys of varying ages but still in our silly phase, we had to improve it. So we food-colored the cake a very bilious green and the frosting was about grape-jelly purple. Mom was … surprised. It took a LOT of food coloring to get the colors bright enough, and yes, we soon had interesting poop. And told all the neighbors all about our scientific triumph. No wonder they moved away. We were sort of like Calvin, except there were 3 of us. How we survived to puberty is a mystery to all of us. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/18 "2021-05-19T22:25:57Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I once made Weird Dinner for a group of friends, serving them diner rolls dyed blue with food coloring, and mashed potatoes dyed purple. When I lived in a hippie-ish commune in the '60s, we dyed a lot of our food. Everybody loved it, especially multi-colored popcorn. We dyed some of our pets too. I don’t recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/19 "2021-05-19T22:45:52Z")
I was hospitalized not this past December, but the December previous for extreme pooping [chemo and radiation turned my gut into a 36 foot road rash leaking interstitial fluid out of me into the poop stream instead of pulling water out of the poopstream so I ended up way too dehydrated.] I startled the hospitaler with a mouth to toilet bowl time of 17 minutes as timed by the undigested bits of watermelon from the days fruit salad. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483/20 "2021-05-19T22:54:27Z")
A coworker brought in a green red velvet cake for St Patrick’s day once. It was from a red velvet cake mix, so the sheer amount of food coloring she had to use to make the green overwhelm the red really showed up the next morning! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-your-poop-blue/942483.md?page=2)