A good appetite is vital for maintaining overall health and lack of one can be a sign of an underlying health condition. There are several factors that contribute to an increased or decreased appetite.
Appetite is a natural desire a person experiences to have food. It is different from hunger, which is the body’s response to not having adequate food. A person can be hungry with no appetite or have a strong appetite with no signs of hunger or be hungry with a good appetite.
Hunger is a physical feeling, while appetite is an emotional and mental feeling which causes a strong craving for a certain types of food or flavour. There are many signs to tell if a person has an appetite, the key one is feelings of hunger that show itself in several ways, including:
Cravings for food
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Light-headedness
Nausea
Stomach growls
Also Read: Loss Of Appetite Is Sign Of An Underlying Health Condition
Causes For Poor Appetite
Loss of appetite can be a temporary or long-term issue. Some of the causes for poor appetite include:
Emotional stress
Depression
Hormonal imbalance
Relationships issues
Chronic illnesses
Eating disorders
Loss of smell or taste
Try some of these home remedies for naturally increasing your appetite.
Natural Remedies For Poor Appetite
Spices
Generally, bloating or feeling satiated can reduce your appetite. Carminative herbs and spices like cinnamon, black pepper, peppermint work incredibly well to ease bloating and increase your appetite.
Sprinkle cinnamon powder on baked goods, toast or curries or add a blend of these herbs into your daily cooking to naturally improve your appetite.
Coriander Leaves
Coriander leaves is one of the commonly used herbs in Indian cooking, which is well-known to treat several digestive woes. Coriander leaves juice aids in increasing the secretion of gastric enzymes, which in turn promotes appetite.
Drink a cup of fresh coriander leaves juice on an empty stomach, repeat this on alternate days to increase appetite.
Fennel Tea
Fennel seeds work as a natural appetite booster by stimulating the production of bile in the liver and promotes a normal digestion process.
All you have to do is boil fennel and fenugreek seeds in 2 cups of water for a few minutes. Add little honey for taste and drink this tea twice daily for better results.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the incredible herbs that is mostly used as an appetite stimulant. Ginger juice works amazingly well for improving poor appetite.
Boil one cup of water, add coriander seeds and dried ginger powder boil well, until the water is reduced half. Drink this herbal concoction daily to treat all your digestive problems and improve your appetite.
Also Read: Ginger: 5 Astonishing Healing Power of This Wonder Spice-Infographic
Carom Seeds
Carom or ajwain seeds are used in several ayurvedic formulations for promoting better digestion. It is also a key ingredient in Indian cuisines. Drinking carom water once a day work remarkably well for improving the functioning of gastrointestinal system. While it also acts as an anti-flatulent and antiacid that increases the secretion of digestive enzymes and stimulate your hunger.
Supplements
B complex vitamins are usually given to improve appetite in adults and children. It works by releasing energy from food and promote a normal appetite. Deficiency of any one of the B vitamins can result in lack of appetite and indigestion. Apart from this, fish oil supplements are also beneficial in increasing appetite and reducing bloating. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements.