Does Diet Affect Mucus Color in Colostomy Patients?

I have a transverse colostomy with a mucus fistula. Does anyone know if food choices affect the mucus color? Mine turned dark magenta today (like raw beef); I did have beets 3 or so days ago and dark cherry jam yesterday. I messaged my care team, but I'm curious about anecdotal experience.

I would not think so. Mucus is basically your body's natural lubrication, produced by the bowel to move along stool. It doesn't seem like diet would affect it, but I could be wrong.

Terry

Food choices do not affect the color of mucus from a mucus fistula. Food is diverted from this end (distal end) of your colon and output to your transverse life investment ("stoma"). A mucus color that is bloody or pink indicates the presence of fresh blood (red) or older blood (darker, brown, or black) in the mucus is not normal. It could be from minor irritation of the fistula site (often bright red) or bleeding from further inside the intestine (which could be darker). This could indicate inflammation, irritation, or bleeding within the intestinal tract. It is good that you contacted your care team because this is a concerning color for a fistula.

I have had an ileostomy for thirty-one years. Every time I eat beets, my stool turns bright and dark red. This might be because about 40% of my bowels have been removed. It's not something I mind a lot.

Diet would affect your output color but not your mucus color. Mucus can naturally be dark in color, or it can be white in color. It can be solid or liquid. Your ostomy output might change color with what you eat. When I eat beets, my output color is dark purple-red. But that is output, not mucus.

My Ostomy Journey: Jearlean | Hollister

BG2 is talking about the output of a mucus fistula, and no effluent comes out of this fistula, only mucus. Therefore, BG2's situation is different from yours.

— Managing my "life investment" in preferred low-volatility stocks since 2023.