There are few greater treats for kids on a hot day than a cooling slushy – the brighter the colour, the better. But researchers have flagged that the icy, sweetened drinks can make the under-8s seriously ill.
According to a new study, 21 children in the UK and Ireland have been admitted to A&E in the past six years after drinking slushies. Many contain glycerol, a naturally-occurring sweetener with a viscous texture that helps maintain the slushy effect and stops the product freezing solid. And it’s glycerol that’s behind the surge in hospital admissions.
The symptoms of glycerol intoxication syndrome – which can affect younger children if a slushy containing glycerol is consumed too quickly – are headaches, low blood sugar, shock and loss of consciousness. Now, the study authors are calling for an update to the existing Food Standards Agency guidelines, which currently advises that children under four shouldn’t drink slushies.
‘Healthcare professionals and parents should be aware that young children can become seriously unwell due to glycerol intoxication, shortly after consuming slush ice drinks containing glycerol,’ say the study authors, who have recommended that children under the age of eight should not be allowed the drinks because of the health risks.
‘From a public health perspective, there are no nutritional or health benefits from these drinks and they are not recommended as part of a balanced diet,’ they add.
The study points to a recent ‘surge in cases’ and says this might be due to a lower sugar content in slushies, making them more attractive to parents who want to avoid high sugar consumption. The researchers also flag the introduction of the sugar tax as a possible culprit: ‘Slush ice drinks in countries without a sugar tax typically contain a much higher glucose content, and many do not contain glycerol at all. With the exception of one patient, who presented in 2009, the other patients in our series presented between 2018 and 2024, coincident with the introduction of the sugar tax.’
To help kids cool off in hot weather, try a DIY slushie instead – simply blend frozen fruit with a banana and a splash of milk; or try one of our Good Housekeeping smoothie recipes.
