9 Natural Home Remedies To Boost Your Appetite

The food we eat keeps our tummy full. However, what would you do on days you don’t feel like eating anything? When you don’t have any cravings or desire to eat even your favorite foods? That’s when the natural appetite stimulants listed below can come to your rescue.

Your body needs a basic diet and nutrition to optimally maintain all its processes. In this article, we discuss the reasons for a loss of appetite and how you can keep your digestive fire burning with the help of some home remedies and natural tips and tricks. Read on to know more.

What Causes Loss Of Appetite?

Loss of appetite can be temporary or long-term. The leading causes of a poor or absent appetite are:

• Emotional distress
• Depression
• Hormonal imbalance
• Breakdown of relationships
• Debilitating illnesses
• Eating disorders

Here are some simple home remedies for increasing appetite in children and adults.

How To Increase Appetite Naturally

1. Pure Maple Syrup
2. Spices
3. Coriander
4. Fennel Tea
5. Ginger & Coriander
6. Carom Seeds
7. Vitamins
8. Fish Oil Supplements
9. Yoga Or Other Exercises

Home Remedies To Increase Appetite

1. Pure Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a caloric sweetener that may help stimulate hunger. Syrups with added sugars increase hunger signals in your system, promoting increased caloric intake, which may lead to weight gain (1). However, these syrups not only provide fewer nutrients but also lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Note: Although this remedy helps promote hunger, it doesn’t support a healthy metabolism.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 liter lemon juice
• 1/2 liter water
• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

What You Have To Do

1. Pour water in a pan, add pure maple syrup, and heat it.
2. Remove the pan from the flame and let it cool.
3. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and vinegar.
4. Mix well and store the mixture in an airtight container.
5. Drink two tablespoons of this mixture.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume this 2 times daily.

2. Spices

If you’re wondering how to increase appetite, just add a dash of spice to your cooking. Abdominal fullness or bloating can reduce your appetite. In such cases, carminative herbs and spices like cinnamon, black pepper, peppermint, thyme, etc. can reduce bloating and increase your appetite (2).

You Will Need

Cinnamon/Black pepper/Peppermint/Oregano

What You Have To Do

1. Sprinkle a good amount of cinnamon on baked goods or buttered toasts.
2. You can also add a mix of herbs like black pepper, oregano, thyme, etc. to a variety of dishes.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this daily.

3. Coriander

Coriander is a commonly used herb in most Indian cuisines as it is known to treat indigestion. Coriander juice helps in the release of gastric enzymes, which, in turn, improves appetite. Coriander extracts helped increase appetite in rat studies (3). However, more studies are warranted on humans to understand the mechanism.

You Will Need

• ½ cup coriander leaves
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare fresh coriander juice by blending the leaves with water.
2. Drink this on an empty stomach.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every alternate morning.

4. Fennel Tea

Fennel seeds act as appetite boosters in adults and children. They stimulate the production of bile by the liver, thus promoting digestion. Studies show that fennel seeds can enhance food consumption and motivation to eat in rats (4).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 2-3 cups water

What You Have To Do

1. Boil the fennel and fenugreek seeds for a few minutes.
2. Strain and drink this tea.
3. You can add some honey or orange juice for taste.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this tea 1-2 times daily.

Caution: Consult your doctor before using this remedy for toddlers and infants.

5. Ginger And Coriander

Ginger is perhaps the most widely used appetite stimulant. Ginger juice works wonders for poor appetite. The administration of a ginger beverage increased appetite and promoted weight gain in rats (5).

You Will Need

• Coriander seeds powder
• Dried ginger powder
• 100 ml of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix coriander seeds powder and dried ginger powder in the ratio 5:1 to make up to a tablespoon altogether.
2. Add this mixture to the water and heat it until the volume of the water is reduced to almost half.
3. Take it off the flame and let it cool down a little.
4. Drink this mixture while it is warm.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this herbal concoctionⁱ  A mix of different herbs and ingredients, such as honey and ginger commonly used to treat diseases. every day.

6. Carom Seeds

Carom seeds are commonly used in Indian cooking to aid better digestion. Carom or ajwain, taken with lukewarm water once a day, will work wonders for your alimentary canal. Besides acting as an anti-flatulentⁱ  Medications, also known as carminatives, which help relieve flatulence or excess gas from the intestine. and antacid, it also helps in the secretion of digestive enzymes that stimulate your hunger (6).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon carom seeds
• A cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Ingest the carom seeds with warm water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once during the day, preferably in the mornings.

7. Vitamins To Increase Appetite

B vitamins are commonly used to increase appetite in adults, toddlers, and infants. They help to release energy from food and promote a normal appetite. A deficiency of any of the B vitamins can cause poor appetite and unhealthy digestion (7).

The recommended intake of these vitamins depends not only on the age but also on other medical conditions of the person. Consult your doctor to test for any deficiencies that may be causing loss of appetite. If a deficiency is confirmed, supplementation with B vitamins is recommended to increase the appetite.

Note: Do not give any supplements to infants and toddlers without consulting a doctor.

8. Fish Oil Supplements

Studies show that fish oil supplementation may help increase appetite in both adults and children (8), (9). It also reduces bloating.

Note: It is important to consult your healthcare provider before taking these supplements or giving them to children.

9. Yoga Or Other Exercises For Appetite

Healthy exercise habits are the best way to regain a lost appetite. Yoga can help you to a great extent in this aspect. Practice yoga for 30-45 minutes every day for a healthy body and improved digestion. Some poses that can help to increase your appetite are:

• Surya Namaskar – This 12-step routine activates all the main muscle groups of the body and regulates all internal processes.
• Kapalbhati Pranayama – This breathing yoga exercise regulates digestion and increases appetite.
• Paschimottanasana – The Forward Bending Pose is good to relieve digestive problems and improve appetite.
• Pawanmuktasana – This pose helps eliminate constipation and other digestive problems, thus increasing your appetite.

A study analysed data from 1820 young adults who had completed the round of Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) surveys. The participants were then interviewed regarding their perception of whether yoga influenced their eating habits and lifestyle. About 90% of participants said yoga had a positive impact on their eating habits while about 75% said that it positively impacted their physical activity levels.

Gaining better control over your daily routine can help a lot in improving your appetite. Sleep and wake up on time, exercise regularly, drink lots of water, avoid too much snacking between meals, follow proper meal times, and think positive.

Quick Tip

Try to limit drinking water or other fluids during meals as they may interfere with your appetite and make you eat less.

Medicines To Stimulate Appetite

The medications listed below might help you get your cravings back. But these medicines should be taken only with the prescription of a doctor.

1. Megestrol Acetate

It is a synthetic derivative of progesterone. It is prescribed to boost appetite and treat anorexiaⁱ  The loss of appetite that mostly occurs as a symptom of serious diseases, such as cancer, AIDS, etc. or cachexiaⁱ  Abnormal and rapid loss of muscle mass and eventually body weight that occurs as a symptom of chronic diseases. (unexplained significant weight loss caused due to chronic diseases) (10).

Caution: Megestrol acetate has side effects like loss of libidoⁱ  The sexual drive of a person or their desire to get involved in sexual intercourse, depending on biological as well as sociological factors. , flatulence, chest pain, etc. (11). Hence, do not self-medicate. Consult a doctor for the appropriate dosage.

2. Oxandrolone

Oxandrolone is a synthetic derivative of testosterone. It is prescribed to increase appetite and help you regain lost weight after surgery, chronic infection, or severe trauma (12).

Caution: Unregulated use of this drug can lead to life-threatening liver conditions (13).

3. Dronabinol

It is a form of synthetic cannabis. It is prescribed to treat loss of appetite caused in people with AIDS. It is also given to treat severe nausea caused by chemotherapyⁱ  A widely used cancer treatment that employs strong chemicals to kill rapidly multiplying malignant cells. (14).

Caution: Possible side effects of this drug include raise in blood pressure, dizziness, mood swings, etc.(15).

Did You Know?

Don’t skip breakfast. Consuming it on a daily basis is important and can help improve your appetite (16).

Tips To Increase Your Appetite

1. Plan every meal – Have 6-8 small meals per day. Include nutritious and protein-rich foods in your diet.
2. Pick high-calorie foods – Add cheese, butter, milk, and other protein-rich foods to your meals.
3. Avoid low-calorie and fibre-rich foods.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Drink protein-shakes daily.
6. Eat your favourite foods often.

These are some tips to increase your appetite. But are hunger and appetite the same? Let’s find out in the following section.

Difference Between Appetite And Hunger

Infographic: Top 5 Remedies To Increase Your Appetite Naturally

There are many reasons why you don’t feel like eating suddenly such as a disorder, illness, stress, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications. It’s unhealthy to not eat, so what do you do when you don’t feel hungry?

Check out the infographic below to learn the top 5 remedies to increase your appetite naturally.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for natural appetite stimulants to work?

It usually takes a few days to a few weeks for natural appetite stimulants to start working, depending on the individual and the particular treatment. Supplements like zinc can take longer to take effect, especially if they are correcting deficiencies. Whereas, herbal remedies like ginger might work more quickly.

What part of the brain controls your appetite?

The hypothalamusⁱ  A gland in the brain that produces important hormones, regulates balance between different systems, and controls emotional activity. controls your appetite and satiety. It coordinates the utilization of the energy produced by the digestion of food and regulates food intake (17).

What does it mean when you have no appetite?

When you have no appetite, it means that you do not feel hungry and do not have the urge to eat.

Is loss of appetite a sign of anorexia?

Yes, loss of appetite is a sign of anorexia, but only in cases where it is consistent over a long period. It also results in extreme weight loss and reduced immunity.

Can pneumonia cause loss of appetite?

Yes. Among the many symptoms and after-effects of pneumonia, loss of appetite is a common symptom.

Does magnesium increase appetite?

No. According to a study, magnesium inhibits appetite, reduces food consumption, and lowers body weight. It is probably due to the stimulation of cholecystokinin by magnesium, which inhibits eating behavior (17).

Does CBD increase appetite?

According to a recent study conducted on 2,409 CBD users, 6.35% of them reported experiencing more hunger than usual (18). However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on appetite.

Does vitamin D increase appetite?

Vitamin D can boost serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that influences everything from mood to sleep control (19), (20). Serotonin may play a role in appetite control by increasing satiety, decreasing body weight, and decreasing calorie intake (21).

Does coffee help with increasing appetite?

Many people consume coffee in their breakfast, which can actually suppress their appetite further. Coffee may affect energy expenditure and feelings of satiety in individuals (22).

Illustration: Ways To Increase Your Appetite Naturally

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Abby KramerDC

   

Dr. Kramer has 7 years of experience as a Chiropractor + Holistic Physician practicing in the Chicagoland area. She has been featured in various publications, including The Huffington Post, Bustle, E Health Radio Network, and the American Chiropractic Association Journal of Rehabilitation.

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Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

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Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications.

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