Kids below the age of eight mustn’t eat slushies because of the ingredient glycerol probably making them ailing, new analysis has urged.
Researchers at College School Dublin stated the brightly colored icy drinks could cause “glycerol intoxication syndrome” in kids, which results in lack of consciousness and low blood sugar.
Different potential signs of “glycerol intoxication syndrome” can embody lactic acidosis – which happens when the physique produces an excessive amount of lactic acid – and hypokalaemia, or low potassium.
Glycerol is a naturally occurring alcohol and sugar substitute which helps slush drinks keep their texture by stopping liquid from freezing strong.
Whereas glycerol is present in another meals, it’s added at a lot decrease portions than in slush ice drinks.
The Meals Requirements Company (FSA) presently advises towards kids below 4 consuming slush ice drinks containing glycerol.
Glycerol helps slush drinks keep their texture by stopping liquid from freezing strong. Pic: iStock
It additionally recommends kids between 5 and 10 are restricted to no a couple of slush a day.
However researchers have urged these below eight years of age to keep away from them altogether.
“Clinicians and fogeys must be alert to the phenomenon, and public well being our bodies ought to guarantee clear messaging concerning the truth that youthful kids, particularly these below eight years of age, ought to keep away from slush ice drinks containing glycerol,” the evaluation, printed in Archives of Illness in Childhood, states.
Researchers added that “there aren’t any dietary or well being advantages from these drinks” and “they aren’t really helpful as a part of a balanced weight loss program”.
The examine appeared on the medical notes of 21 kids aged between two and 7 within the UK and Eire who fell ailing after consuming the drinks between 2009 and 2024.
All the children wanted remedy in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, with 14 of the youngsters turning into unwell inside an hour of consuming a slushie.
All 21 kids recovered rapidly and have been discharged with recommendation to not drink slushies, in response to the examine.
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Just one baby from the group didn’t comply with the recommendation and as soon as once more developed signs an hour after consuming a slushie on the age of seven.
Researchers stated there may be presently “poor transparency” round slush ice drink glycerol focus, so estimating a protected dose just isn’t simple.
They stated components together with velocity of ingestion and whether or not the drink is consumed alongside a meal or throughout high-intensity train could also be contributing components.
