Noticing that your stool is a different color than normal after having a bowel movement can be an alarming experience for some people. There’s good reason for this, since black or tarry feces, called melena, is associated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, a rather serious condition.

However some foods and supplements can cause “false” melena and turn your stool black or green when there is really no cause for concern.

But are blueberries one of those foods? Can blueberries cause black or green stool?

Yes! It’s actually quite common, and noticing different colored stool after eating blueberries is nothing to worry about. However, if it persists for days or weeks after you’ve eaten the blueberries, consider seeing a doctor as there may be a more serious problem.