## 4 Discussion  
The objectives of the research undertaken were to define the behaviour of Polish honey consumers as regards honey-consumption frequency, the manner of honey use, motives of honey consumption, preferences as regards the type of honey used, determinants of honey selection, and honey purchase sites. The analysis indicated that honey is consumed by nearly \(90\%\) of the respondents, about \(40\%\) of whom do so several times a week or more often. Widespread consumption of honey is also corroborated by other studies conducted in Poland as well as in several other countries. According to a study by [PERSON] et al. [42], only \(5\%\) of Polish consumers do not eat honey at all. According to a study by [PERSON] et al. [43], one in five Poles consume honey every day. In a study conducted in Turkey, honey consumption was declared by \(84\%\) of respondents. In contrast, [PERSON] et al. [44], studying honey consumption in southern Italy, found that nearly one-fifth of respondents consume the product daily. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Variables** & & **Assessment** & **Odds Ratio** & \(p\)**-Value** \\ \hline Sandwiches (patterns of honey consumption) & \(Z_{1}\) & \(-0.340\) & \(0.712\) & \(0.001\) \\ Suggestions from friends and family (reasons for consuming honey) & \(Z_{2}\) & \(0.513\) & \(1.67\) & \(0.045\) \\ Market (ways of obtaining/purchasing honey) & \(Z_{3}\) & \(-0.718\) & \(0.488\) & \(0.007\) \\ Cold drinks (patterns of honey consumption) & \(Z_{4}\) & \(-0.308\) & \(0.735\) & \(0.018\) \\ Fish dishes (patterns of honey consumption) & \(Z_{5}\) & \(0.686\) & \(1.985\) & \(0.002\) \\ Suggestions of doctors and nutritionists (reasons for consuming honey) & \(Z_{6}\) & \(0.899\) & \(2.458\) & \(0.008\) \\ Nutritional value (reasons for consuming honey) & \(Z_{7}\) & \(0.721\) & \(2.057\) & \(0.019\) \\ Pack size (determinants of purchasing decisions) & \(Z_{8}\) & \(0.384\) & \(1.468\) & \(0.002\) \\ Label attractiveness (determinants of purchasing decisions) & \(Z_{9}\) & \(-0.307\) & \(0.736\) & \(0.016\) \\ Place of sale (determinants of purchasing decisions) & \(Z_{10}\) & \(-0.290\) & \(0.748\) & \(0.005\) \\ Own preferences (reasons for consuming honey) & \(Z_{11}\) & \(0.565\) & \(1.759\) & \(0.042\) \\ Increased frequency of honey consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic & \(Z_{12}\) & \(-0.368\) & \(0.692\) & \(0.023\) \\ \hline constant & & \(0.487\) & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 7: Parameter values of the logistic regression model. Analysis of changes in the frequency of honey consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that 34% of respondents increased their consumption somewhat or significantly and that just 6% of respondents decreased their consumption. According to the study [45,46], the increased interest in honey consumption during the SARS-CoV-2 risk period is accounted for by the belief in the product's immune-promoting properties and consumers' higher propensity to eat health-enhancing products during the pandemic. It is noteworthy that the medical rationale exists for increasing honey consumption during a pandemic as observations were made that naringin present in honey can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro, and that honey treatment of COVID-19 patients promotes earlier recovery and reduces mortality [47]. An analysis of how honey is consumed showed that respondents most often add it to hot drinks, spread it on sandwic, eat it directly, or add it to desserts. In all these instances, honey serves as a more beneficial alternative to sugar, as was also found in a study by [PERSON] et al. [48] made in Slovakia and Russia. Such perception of honey was supported by scientific research. Evidence available from experimental studies also shows that honey plays a beneficial role in managing diabetes mellitus. The benefits consist of better control of the hyperglycnic state, and reduction in other metabolic disorders and the deleterious effects on different organs causing diabetic complications [49].