A new study has shown that “slushy” ice drinks are extremely dangerous for children.
These contain glycerol, a natural sweetener. But if it’s consumed too quickly – as is often the case, with children having a tendency towards gobbling sweet drinks down – it can lead to shock, low blood sugar, high blood acidity, and passing out.
It’s used in slushies in order to produce the specific texture of the drink – in short, it stops liquids from freezing solid. It isn’t generally considered toxic — but an inventive new approach will be necessary for producers. If processed poorly, it can indeed have a lot of side effects.
One child even had a seizure.
In countries with no sugar tax, they contain much more glucose and often no glycerol at all, reports the BBC.
In any case, it’s on the safer side to avoid it altogether. They probably aren’t very good for adult health either.
