why does poop smell? Posted 02.16.2004 by Poonurse (1313) Poopy Pants asks: Why is poop so stinky? I mean... food doesnt smell like that, so why does poop? Also, why do some people's poop smell worse than others? (((Poonurse: I thought about answering this question that it was due to bacteria in your stomach. And then I thought that when you are first born, you don't have that bacteria, which is why babies poop doesn't smell. And then I remembered that baby poop is just horrible. Do you have any insight?))) ---- Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Poopy Pants, You are right on about the bacteria. The bacteria inside of the feces is what makes them smell so bad. Specifically, the bacteria produce various compounds and gases that lead to the infamous smell of feces. Just in case you were wondering, you can get very sick by eating feces because it contains so many types of bacteria and other harmful substances such as parasites. So I wouldn't suggest adding poop to your diet any time soon. Poop will vary in smell depending on the type of foods and drinks that you consume. Generally speaking, feces will smell worse if you consume foods or liquids with many artificial flavors or chemicals in them. The bad smell of feces will usually be reduced by eating more natural foods that do not contain any artificial flavors or chemicals. Also, the poop of meat eaters usually smells worse than that of vegans. Incidently, I change about 10,000 diapers a day at work. The baby's first poop is called meconium. While tarry, black, sticky and yucky to look at, it does NOT STINK. Please be advised that I am only a Poonurse. I am NOT a medical doctor. Any advice I give should be taken moderate skepticism. Please consult a REAL medical doctor if you feel you have a serious medical condition. -- Poonurse Poonurse is an RN with 25 years experience in labor and delivery. Her qualifications include seeing a lot of poop, and owning a computer. Also, she works in Michigan, which she calls the asshole of the universe, so that's another bit of credibility. Got a question for her? email this page | printer friendly version Turd Hugegrunt (not verified) -- 03.16.2004 Poopy Pants: You wonder that poop stinks when you say that 'food doesn't smell like that.' Have you ever walked into a house where someone is boiling a big pot of turnip greens or mustard greens? Especially if they are boiling up some of the turnip roots with the greens? Or how about boiled cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli? Ever smelled chitterlings (chitlins) stewing away atop a stove? And then you wonder how come some folks' poop smells worse than others. Hey, why do some folks' homes smell worse than others? How come some folks' armpits smell worse than others? Look, some folks are just plain stankier than other folks. And it usually has at least something to do with what they shove down their gullets. Like some people who eat a lotta garlic. Or some folks who drink a lotta alcohol. It comes outta their skin, and outta their asses, more stinky than say someone who eats nothing but white bread and peanut butter washed down with Mt. Dew Code Red. Anyway, do a little experiment. Cook up a big pot of chitlins, another pot of turnip greens, with the root diced up, and some blackeyed peas and cornbread. If you can stand the smell of your house, sit down and eat copious amounts of this slop. Now, go down to Mississippi next day, meet up with Big Wiper in a public restroom, have a good ol' shameless twin shittin' sittin', and compare the odor. I'll bet your poop smells a whole lot worse than his. That's because he eats a more reasonable diet of not so stanky foods, see? Peace in the portal.