The association between honey consumption amount and physical activity, sleep quality, and Nottingham health profile in young adults

Honey is a natural food with potential beneficial effects on health-related behaviors and well-being. However, evidence regarding the association between the amount of honey consumption and physical activity, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in young adults remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between daily honey consumption and physical activity levels, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life among young adults. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in January 2026 among university students attending a public university in eastern Türkiye and residing in state dormitories. The required sample size was estimated as 336 through power analysis, and the study was completed with 468 participants. Participants were classified into five groups according to daily honey consumption level: non-consumers, 10, 20, 30, and 40 g per day. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses. Most participants had a normal body mass index (BMI), and the mean age was comparable across groups. Among honey consumers, IPAQ scores were positively correlated with RCSQ scores ( r = 0.27, p < 0.01), while significant negative correlations were found between IPAQ and NHP, and between RCSQ and NHP ( r =-0.26 and r =-0.58, respectively; p < 0.01). Among non-consumers, the correlation between IPAQ and RCSQ was negative and non-significant ( r =-0.03, p > 0.05), the correlation between IPAQ and NHP was positive and non-significant ( r = 0.02, p > 0.05), and the correlation between RCSQ and NHP was significantly negative ( r =-0.29, p < 0.01). Regression analyses indicated that honey consumption level was significantly associated with physical activity, accounting for 6.8% of the variance in IPAQ scores (F = 16.02, p < 0.01), with sleep quality, accounting for 6.4% of the variance in RCSQ scores (F = 31.60, p < 0.01), and with health-related quality of life, accounting for 8.2% of the variance in NHP scores (F = 19.68, p < 0.01). In young adults, daily honey consumption is associated with higher physical activity levels, better sleep quality, and a more favorable symptom burden as assessed by the NHP. Moreover, honey consumption level was significantly associated with variation in these health-related behaviors.