Researchers surveyed 823 health science students in Saudi Arabia to find out what they know about using honey and yogurt to help fight respiratory infections like colds and flu. Honey was the most popular natural remedy (39.5% preferred it), followed by yogurt (26.9%). The study found that female students knew more about these natural remedies than male students, and that most healthcare students had good knowledge about how these foods can help the body fight infections. The researchers suggest that teaching healthcare students more about these natural remedies could help them give better advice to patients about managing respiratory health safely.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much healthcare students in Saudi Arabia know about using honey and yogurt to help prevent and treat respiratory infections (like colds and flu), and whether they actually use these foods themselves
  • Who participated: 823 health science students from Saudi Arabia who completed an online survey. The group included both male and female students from different regions of the country, with varying smoking habits
  • Key finding: Honey was the most popular natural remedy for respiratory health (chosen by 39.5% of students), and about 46% of students showed strong knowledge about honey’s health benefits. Female students consistently knew more about these remedies than male students across all measures tested
  • What it means for you: If you’re a healthcare student or professional, understanding the benefits of natural foods like honey and yogurt may help you give better advice to patients. However, these natural remedies should complement—not replace—medical treatment for serious respiratory infections. Talk to your doctor before relying solely on these foods for infection treatment

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional survey, which means researchers collected information from a large group of people at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years. The researchers created an online questionnaire and asked 823 health science students in Saudi Arabia to answer questions about their knowledge, attitudes, and actual use of honey (a prebiotic—food that feeds good bacteria) and yogurt (a probiotic—food containing good bacteria). The students answered questions about what they knew, what they believed, and whether they actually used these foods. The researchers then used statistical software to analyze the answers and look for patterns, such as whether male and female students answered differently or whether students from different regions had different knowledge levels.

This type of survey is useful because it gives a quick snapshot of what a large group of people know and do at one specific time. Since the participants were healthcare students—future doctors, nurses, and other health professionals—understanding what they know is important. If healthcare students don’t know much about natural remedies, they won’t be able to give good advice to their patients. This study helps identify gaps in education that could be filled with better training programs.

This study has some strengths: it included a reasonably large number of participants (823 students), used statistical tests to check if differences were real or just by chance, and measured effect sizes to show how big the differences were. However, the study only looked at students in Saudi Arabia, so the results may not apply to other countries. Also, because it’s a survey, people might not answer honestly about their actual practices. The study didn’t follow students over time, so we don’t know if their knowledge actually changes their behavior in real healthcare situations

What the Results Show

The study found that honey was the clear favorite natural remedy for respiratory health among Saudi healthcare students, with 39.5% choosing it as their preferred option. Yogurt came in second at 26.9%, while 22.7% of students thought both were equally helpful. About 46% of all students showed high knowledge about honey’s health benefits. Interestingly, when looking at gender differences, male students actually showed slightly higher awareness of honey’s benefits (48.2%) compared to female students (44.2%). However, female students outperformed males in almost every other area tested: they scored higher on overall knowledge (3.9 vs. 3.4 on a scale), were more likely to actually use these foods (3.7 vs. 3.1), had more positive attitudes about them (4.2 vs. 3.6), and were more likely to recommend them to others (4.0 vs. 3.5). The study also found differences based on where students lived and whether they smoked, suggesting that location and lifestyle affect knowledge about these natural remedies.

The research revealed that healthcare students in Saudi Arabia generally have good knowledge about probiotics overall. Geographic location mattered—students from different regions showed different levels of knowledge and different preferences for honey versus yogurt. Smoking status also played a role, with non-smokers showing different patterns of knowledge and practice compared to smokers. These findings suggest that education about natural remedies isn’t uniform across the country and may need to be tailored to different groups

While the abstract doesn’t directly compare these findings to previous studies, the results align with growing international interest in natural remedies for respiratory health. Many countries are exploring how to better educate healthcare providers about evidence-based natural therapies. This study adds to that body of knowledge by showing that even in Saudi Arabia, where traditional medicine is valued, there’s still room for better education about how honey and yogurt specifically work to support respiratory health

This study only surveyed healthcare students in Saudi Arabia, so the results may not apply to students in other countries with different cultures and healthcare systems. The survey relied on students’ self-reported answers, which means people might not have answered completely honestly about what they actually know or do. The study was done at one point in time, so we don’t know if students’ knowledge stays the same or changes over time. The researchers didn’t measure whether students’ knowledge actually led to better patient care in real healthcare settings. Additionally, the study didn’t include information about the actual scientific evidence supporting these remedies, so we can’t tell if students’ knowledge was accurate or based on myths

The Bottom Line

Healthcare students and professionals should learn more about the evidence-based benefits of honey and yogurt for respiratory health (moderate confidence level). Honey has some scientific support for soothing coughs and sore throats, while yogurt’s probiotics may support overall immune function. However, these should be used alongside—not instead of—proven medical treatments for serious infections. Educational programs should teach healthcare students about both the benefits and limitations of these natural remedies so they can give accurate advice to patients (moderate to high confidence level)

Healthcare students, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals should care about this research because it shows gaps in their education about natural remedies. Patients interested in natural approaches to respiratory health should also pay attention, but should always consult with their doctor before relying on honey or yogurt alone for serious infections. People in Saudi Arabia and similar regions where traditional medicine is valued may find this especially relevant. This research is less relevant for people in countries where healthcare education already emphasizes natural remedies

If you start using honey or yogurt for respiratory health, you might notice soothing effects (like relief from cough) within hours to days. However, building stronger immunity through regular probiotic consumption typically takes weeks to months of consistent use. For serious respiratory infections, you should see improvement within days if you’re receiving proper medical treatment—if you don’t, contact your doctor immediately rather than waiting for natural remedies to work

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily consumption of honey and yogurt, noting any changes in respiratory symptoms (cough frequency, throat soreness, congestion level) on a scale of 1-10. Record this for at least 4 weeks to see if there’s a pattern between consumption and symptom improvement
  • Start by adding one serving of plain yogurt daily and using honey in tea or warm water when you have a sore throat. Use the app to set reminders for consistent consumption and to log any respiratory symptoms you notice. This creates a simple habit while helping you track whether these foods actually help your specific symptoms
  • Use the app to create a simple log with three columns: date, what you consumed (honey/yogurt/both), and respiratory symptoms that day. Review your log monthly to identify patterns. If you notice consistent improvement, continue the habit. If you see no change after 4-6 weeks, discuss other options with your healthcare provider

This research describes what healthcare students know about honey and yogurt, but does not prove these foods cure or prevent respiratory infections. Honey and yogurt may help support respiratory health and comfort, but should not replace medical treatment for serious infections like pneumonia or severe flu. Do not give honey to children under 1 year old due to botulism risk. If you have a respiratory infection that lasts more than a few weeks, worsens, or causes difficulty breathing, fever over 103°F, or chest pain, seek immediate medical attention. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before using natural remedies as your primary treatment, especially if you take medications or have underlying health conditions. This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia and may not apply to all populations or healthcare systems