Human Body

Digestion

What is feces?

Feces (from the Latin faex, meaning “dregs”) is the remaining portion of undigested food. Approximately 5.3 ounces (150 grams) of feces are produced daily. Feces normally consists of 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of water and 1.7 ounces (50 grams) of solid material. The solid material is composed of fat, nitrogen, bile pigments, undigested food such as cellulose, and other waste products from the blood of intestinal wall. The normal brown color of feces is caused by bilirubin. Blood and foods containing a large amount of iron will darken the feces. Excessive fat from the diet causes feces to be a more pale color.



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