Children Under 8 at Risk When Drinking 'This Beverage'... "Loss of Consciousness Possible"

Glycerol Added Instead of Sugar in Slushies
May Cause Shock in Young Children

A study has found that children under the age of 8 may be at risk if they drink slushies, which are icy beverages. This is due to the glycerol content in slushies.

On the 12th (local time), the UK BBC reported, citing research by Ellen Crussel's team published in the academic journal 'Pediatric Records,' that children should avoid drinking slushies until they are at least 8 years old. Glycerol is added to slushies to prevent them from freezing completely, but this ingredient can cause symptoms such as shock, hypoglycemia, and fainting. These symptoms are especially likely to occur when the beverage is consumed too quickly.

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The research team analyzed cases of 21 children aged 2 to 7 in the UK and Ireland who developed acute illnesses after drinking slushies and received treatment from 2018 to last year. The children developed acute illnesses within one hour of drinking the slushies and required emergency treatment.

They were diagnosed with 'glycerol poisoning,' and most lost consciousness. Among them, 4 children underwent brain examinations, and 1 experienced seizures. Fortunately, all the children were safely discharged after treatment.

Dr. Crussel explained, "Many children worldwide drink slushies daily without significant side effects, but this study is just the tip of the iceberg," adding, "Even if the symptoms are not severe enough to require hospital visits, mild nausea or vomiting can occur after drinking slushies." He further noted, "Although the exact glycerol content in slushies is unknown, the severity of side effects can vary depending on factors such as the speed of drinking, whether the beverage was consumed with meals, or after exercise."

In fact, in January last year in Scotland, a 3-year-old boy who tried a slushy for the first time in his life collapsed and had a seizure, leading to hospitalization. The boy lost consciousness after drinking a raspberry-flavored pink slushy bought by his mother. The boy's mother said, "It was the scariest experience I have ever had," and added, "My son was usually healthy, and no one in our family had experienced anything like this." Hospital tests revealed that the boy's problems were caused by hypoglycemia due to glycerol toxicity.

Currently, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that children under 5 years old should not drink slushies, and children under 11 should not consume more than one cup. The research team believes these guidelines should be strengthened further.

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