I Have Dark Colored Stool, What Can Affect The Color Of Your Stool?

If you have unusual coloured stools, it is recommended that you see a doctor immediately. It may be that you are perfectly healthy but the doctor will be able to put your mind at rest and if there is a problem, they can begin tests immediately or prescribe some medication if necessary. The longer you leave a medical problem, the worse it will become. You should note that digesting foods that have a particularly strong colour, can affect the colour of your stools and will be nothing to worry about. The ingestion of black liquorice, lead, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can all cause black stools or false melina.
The colour of your stool can provide a lot of information regarding your health. It is often difficult to tell how healthy we really are, particularly is we appear healthy from the outside. Colour, texture, consistency and other signals such as smell can give clues to what is happening during digestion.
Red- or black-colored stools should be tested for the presence of hidden blood and suggest bleeding and therefore could indicate colon cancer. While it is true that blood in bowel movements can be a sign of colon cancer, there are many other possibilities, such as acute infection, a tear in the tissue of the anus, haemorrhoids, or non-cancerous polyps. Dark coloured stools are also seen in platelet function disorders, iron deficiency, anaemia, cirrhosis, colorectal cancer, disseminated intravascular coagulation, peptic ulcer or stomach cancer. Liver disease may include a yellow tone to the skin and whites of eyes (jaundice) and brownish urine.

I experienced dark stools the day after drinking a few glasses of red wine. I don't drink much red, so I guess I was not used to it. I was extremely concerned. By the 2nd day, I was back to normal. So, I would say give it a day or so if you have consumed some red.

Pepto bismol or related antacids,spinach,chocolate,food dyes and liquids can all darken stools.If the stool is black and tarry or persists,seek medical attention.

I have noticed that my stool is dark brown/black. I  had my gallbladder  removed 4 weeks ago and still having pain at one of my wounds. What could be causing this

My friend has been taking a night time medicine for her sore throat and is it possible for her poop to be black and tarry it just started when she started taking that medicine should she be worried

There can be many factors leading to change in stool color. Medications have enormous effect on the color of stool. Medicines having iron or folic acid content are usually responsible for darkening of stool color. But if it is not the case you should be seriously concerned as there might be some problem. The following link describes ind detail the causes of change in stool color and the problems associated with it.
ibdcrohns.about.com

The most worrying sign is if the stool is black and tarry. This would indicate bleeding in the upper gastro intestinal tract. But if you are a guinness drinker or on iron tablets you can have the same outcome. So unless you are feeling unwell, your stool colour is directly related to your diet.

Black stools indicate blood. No reason to worry if it is dark brown.

You could have blood in your stool,or red wine could make your stool darker.seek medical attention!

For the past two days I have the color of dark brown stool.  WHat could cause this?  Should I be concerned?