Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Digestosap syrup in improving appetite: A single-arm, open-label pilot study

Background: Poor appetite can lead to nutritional deficiencies and compromised health. Digestosap syrup, a herbal formulation based on Ayurvedic principles, is designed to enhance appetite and support digestion. This study evaluates its clinical efficacy in improving hunger and related outcomes. Methods: A single-arm, open-label pilot study was conducted with 30 participants aged 15–60 years with poor appetite. Participants received 10 ml of Digestosap syrup twice daily for 15 days. The primary outcome was the change in hunger assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes included hunger patterns, satiety, bowel habits, sleep, and stool consistency (via Bristol Stool Chart). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests for primary outcomes and descriptive statistics for secondary outcomes. Results: The mean hunger score increased significantly from 4.87 ± 0.86 to 7.67 ± 1.32 (p < 0.001), indicating improved appetite. Hunger patterns improved in 83.3% of participants, with regular meal-time hunger reported post-intervention. Bowel habits normalized in 60% of participants with irregular baseline habits, and stool consistency improved in 73.3% of participants. Conclusion: Digestosap syrup significantly improved appetite and showed positive effects on hunger patterns, bowel habits, and stool consistency. These findings support its potential as a safe intervention for poor appetite, warranting further randomized controlled trials.