Researchers in the UK and Ireland are warning that children under eight should avoid drinking slushy ice drinks containing glycerol due to a recent surge in hospitalizations. Glycerol is used as a sweetener and anti-freezing agent in these drinks, which can be harmful if consumed in high levels.
According to a peer-reviewed medical review published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, children under eight who drink glycerol-containing slushies are at risk of shock, low blood sugar, and loss of consciousness. The study looked at 21 cases of children aged two to seven who needed emergency treatment after drinking slushies.
Most cases occurred between 2018 and 2024, with many children becoming acutely ill within an hour. Four children required brain scans, while one child had a seizure. However, all the children recovered swiftly.
Experts suggest that the increase in hospitalizations could be linked to increased concern about high sugar consumption and sugar taxes adopted in recent years. Food safety agencies already advise that children aged four and under should not have slushies containing glycerol, but researchers recommend raising the age limit further.
The review’s authors emphasize the importance of clear messaging from public health bodies and clinicians to raise awareness among parents and healthcare providers about the risks associated with glycerol-containing slushy drinks.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/experts-warn-against-slushies-for-kids-after-uk-hospitalizations