Common Slushie Ingredient Sends 21 To ER For 'Intoxication'; Doctors Warn Kids Under 8 To ‘Avoid’ Drink

A recent study has linked glycerol, a common slushie ingredient, to a potentially dangerous reaction in children under eight, leading to hospitalization in multiple cases. Researchers now warn that young children should avoid consuming the iced drink containing glycerol due to the risk of decreased consciousness and low blood sugar levels.

Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is a sugar alcohol commonly used in food and beverages as a humectant, stabilizer, and sweetener. In slushies, it helps maintain the semi-frozen texture, preventing large ice crystals from forming. While glycerol is generally considered safe in small amounts, the recent research suggests that young children may be particularly susceptible to its effects due to their lower body weight and metabolism.

According to a study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, glycerol can lead to a condition known as glycerol intoxication syndrome in kids under eight. This occurs when the body absorbs glycerol too quickly, triggering a cascade of metabolic disturbances.

A review of 21 cases between 2009 and 2024 in the UK and Ireland found that children, mostly between the ages of two and seven, became acutely unwell after consuming slushie drinks containing glycerol. Most children experienced symptoms within an hour of consumption.

The primary issues observed in affected children include:

• Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): Glycerol can interfere with glucose metabolism, leading to dangerously low blood sugar levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include dizziness, confusion, sweating, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.

• Metabolic Acidosis: When glycerol is metabolized in the liver, it can lead to an overproduction of lactic acid. This disrupts the body’s acid-base balance, which can cause nausea, rapid breathing, and fatigue.

• Hypokalaemia (Low Potassium Levels): The metabolic impact of glycerol can also deplete potassium levels in the blood, affecting muscle and nerve function.

In extreme cases, these symptoms can cause young children to become unresponsive or even suffer from seizures.

While none of the cases were fatal, the affected children required emergency medical care to stabilize their blood sugar levels and metabolic imbalances, People noted. Most recovered quickly with treatment, but the findings have raised concerns about the safety of glycerol in children’s beverages.

Following these findings, the researchers are calling for better regulations on glycerol levels in food and beverages and for warning labels to be placed on food containing glycerol.

"Clinicians and parents should be alert to the phenomenon, and public health bodies should ensure clear messaging regarding the fact that younger children, especially those under 8 years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol," the researchers wrote in the study.

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