Slushies—those brightly colored, brain-freezing childhood favorites—might not be as harmless as they seem.
Pediatricians are now warning that kids under eight should avoid slushies containing glycerol.
This ingredient helps keep the drinks slushy but may also be making children sick.
A new review in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that 21 children, aged two to nearly seven, developed sudden symptoms after drinking a slushie.
These symptoms included dizziness, confusion, and dangerously low blood sugar.
Doctors call it “glycerol intoxication syndrome” (sounds serious, right?), and in nearly all cases, symptoms kicked in within an hour.
Glycerol, a sugar substitute and alcohol compound, is already flagged as unsafe for kids under four in the UK, but experts now suggest raising that limit to eight.
What’s The Problem?
There’s no clear way to gauge how much glycerol is “safe,” as factors like how fast a child drinks it or if they’re on an empty stomach play a role.
While all the affected children recovered quickly, one brave (or forgetful) seven-year-old tried another slushie—and got sick again.
Bottom line? These frosty treats might not be worth the risk.
Pediatricians are calling for clearer guidelines, because, let’s be honest, no one wants to end a fun day with an unexpected trip to the ER.
