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Why does poop smell? |
Stinky, Yucky, Icky
Going to the bathroom is your body’s way of getting rid of things you’ve eaten which it no longer needs. While being digested, your food undergoes changes. Your body breaks it down to take out the nutrients you need and discard the rest!
Certain chemicals that are released while your food is being broken down are the reason why poop smells bad. Among others, one of the biggest culprits is sulfur, a chemical whose smell is often compared to rotten eggs – yuck! Sulfur occurs naturally in lots of foods including meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
So even though it might some times seem gross that your body produces something that’s pretty stinky, the good news is that it’s totally normal and natural!
Stinky Stuff
Aside from going to the bathroom, can you think of any other natural things your body does which are a little bit smelly or yucky, but are ultimately helpful? One example might be boogers, which are sticky and icky but keep your nose and lungs nice and clean!
What other examples can you think of?
