Are slushies with glycerol harmful for kids?

Summer season is sort of right here, so it’s possible you’ll need to take pleasure in all issues chilly. Aside from chilled water, slushies could also be your go-to summer season beverage. The semi-frozen, ice-based beverage made by mixing crushed ice with sugary syrups, fruit juices, or synthetic flavourings may help to beat the warmth. It’s not simply widespread amongst adults, however youngsters additionally like it. Nonetheless, in case your youngster is beneath 8, be certain that to not give your infant this beverage. The glycerol in slushies, that are excessive in sugar, and low in vitamins, might make your youngster unwell, in accordance with a brand new examine.

Glycerol in slushies: What does the examine say?

Kids, aged lower than 8, ought to fully keep away from slushies containing glycerol, in accordance with a examine printed within the Archives of Illness in Childhood in March 2025. This conclusion was made after researchers reviewed the circumstances of 21 youngsters, aged lower than 8. They fell unwell inside an hour of getting the chilled beverage. In response to the researchers, the kids had “glycerol intoxication syndrome.” About 94 p.c of the youngsters skilled a drop in consciousness, 95 p.c of them had extraordinarily low blood sugar degree, and 94 p.c of them ended up with a buildup of acid of their physique.

Even the UK’s Present Meals Requirements Company has warned towards consumption of the beverage by kids beneath 5.

What’s glycerol?

It’s a naturally occurring, colourless, and odourless compound usually used as a meals additive and humectant, which is a substance that retains moisture. It’s derived from plant oils or animal fat, and is added to frozen drinks like slushies to forestall the formation of ice crystals and preserve a easy texture. “Labeled as a sugar alcohol, it gives 4 energy per gram, just like carbohydrates,” says nutritionist Haripriya. N.

It helps in retaining water within the physique, which is why it’s usually utilized in hydration drinks for athletes. Drinks with glycerol can improve and preserve hydration standing, and will enhance efficiency throughout train, as per an evaluation printed in Vitamin Opinions in 2009.

Glycerol in slushies: Why is it dangerous for kids?

Right here’s how glycerol in slushies might be dangerous for teenagers:

1. Glycerol intoxication

“In kids, particularly these with decrease physique weight and creating organs, glycerol in slushies can result in glycerol intoxication,” says neonatologist and paediatrician Dr Abhishek Chopra.

It could possibly trigger well being issues like:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Complications
• Confusion
• Fatigue

2. Imbalance in physique fluids

“Glycerol in slushies acts as a diuretic, which implies it may simply draw water from the physique into the intestines,” says Dr Chopra. This may result in dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance, which is the lack of important minerals like potassium and sodium.

3. Influence on kidney perform

Glycerol in slushies can put further stress on the kidneys to course of and eradicate extra fluids. “Since kids’s kidneys are nonetheless creating, this will result in pressure on the kidneys,” says Dr Chopra. There could also be a danger of kidney dysfunction as effectively.

4. Impacts digestive well being

The glycerol in slushies can negatively have an effect on kids’s digestive well being. It could possibly trigger bloating, diarrhea, and stomach ache in actually younger youngsters. “Their digestive well being might get impacted, as kids’s digestive methods battle to interrupt down sugar alcohols successfully,” says Haripriya.

5. Blood sugar fluctuations

Glycerol in slushies doesn’t spike blood sugar like common sugar. “It could possibly nonetheless contribute to insulin resistance and weight acquire if consumed often,” says Haripriya. So, go for pure, fruit-based slushies with no added sugar or synthetic components.

How a lot slushy is protected to devour?

The protected quantity of slushy consumption is dependent upon the substances and age group, particularly for kids.

• For kids (beneath 8 years): Glycerol in slushies is an enormous no, as it may disrupt hydration ranges and trigger nausea. “If you wish to give your youngster a slushy, restrict to 100-150 ml (half a cup) of a pure, fruit-based slushy with out added sugar or synthetic flavours,” says Haripriya. Nonetheless, it must be consumed sometimes, no more than 1-2 occasions every week.
• For older kids: As much as 200-250 ml (one small cup) of a low-sugar, pure slushy might be safely consumed. Even they need to keep away from frequent consumption of economic slushies as a result of excessive sugar and synthetic components.
• For adults: “As much as 300-350 ml, which is one commonplace cup of a wholesome, home made slushy is protected,” says Haripriya. Glycerol in slushies or those with synthetic colors, and added syrups must be taken as little as potential.

Slushies might be made at house with pure fruit puree, coconut water, mint, and lemon. “Use pure sweeteners like honey or dates as an alternative of refined sugar. Additionally, add chia seeds or basil seeds for fibre and hydration,” suggests Haripriya.

Glycerol in slushies is often used to forestall the formation of ice crystals within the chilled beverage. Nonetheless, it may make kids, particularly beneath 8, actually sick. It could possibly disrupt hydration ranges, trigger nausea, and complications. In case you are craving a slushy, go for a home made model with recent fruit, and pure sweeteners.