New findings suggest that young kids might be best to steer clear of sugar-free slushies.
British and Irish researchers examined the medical records of 21 kids who fell severely ill soon after consuming a slushie with glycerol included.
Glycerol, otherwise called glycerin, is utilized in sugar-free slushies to prevent the formation of solid ice crystals.
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It is commonly utilized in both Ireland and the UK, countries which introduced sugar taxes in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
In the cases examined, 20 took place after 2018, with only one exception occurring in 2009. The age of these children ranged from 2 years old up to almost 7 years old.
The research conclusions, as documented in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood , indicated that in every instance the child rapidly deteriorated health-wise following the consumption of a slush ice beverage, presenting a group of symptoms that the investigators have termed glycerol intoxication syndrome.
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The characteristics encompassed diminished awareness, an abrupt significant decrease in blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia), along with an accumulation of acids in the bloodstream (metabolic acidosis).
These symptoms, when present simultaneously, may suggest poisoning or inherited metabolic disorders, necessitating additional examinations.
The speed at which they fell sick was clear for 15 of the children, and out of these, 14 experienced symptoms within one hour.
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Similarly, in 16 out of the 17 instances where the state of consciousness was recorded, it was "markedly and abruptly decreased," with one case involving a child experiencing a seizure.
Out of twenty children who experienced hypoglycemia, thirteen cases were severe.
Other frequent symptoms involved metabolic acidosis (in 16 out of 17 children), low potassium levels (observed in 12 out of 16 children), and elevated blood lipid readings (detected in eight out of nine children).
All the kids bounced back swiftly following the initial resuscitation and stabilization of their blood sugar levels. They were sent home with guidance to steer clear of slushies.
Twenty individuals followed suit and experienced no additional instances of hypoglycaemia.
However, one individual consumed another slushie at seven years old and exhibited symptoms within an hour, which quickly escalated to vomiting and drowsiness, according to the research findings.
The caregivers provided the youngster with a glucose beverage and contacted emergency services. Upon the medics' arrival, the child’s blood sugar levels had normalized, and the signs of distress were diminishing.
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Researchers think that the present guidelines in the UK and Ireland, suggesting that kids up to four years old shouldn’t consume sugar-free slurpees, and those from five to ten should limit themselves to just one, might now be insufficient.
"The level of clarity regarding the glycerol concentration in slush ice drinks is inadequate; thus, determining a secure dosage remains challenging," the researchers noted.
The speed and dosage of consumption, coupled with other elements like whether the beverage is taken with food or while fasting, or post intense physical activity, might play significant roles as contributory factors.
They suggested establishing safe consumption limits according to one’s body weight, following the present guidance that 125 milligrams of glycerol for each kilogram of body mass is the minimum dosage linked with adverse health outcomes.
The researchers suggested that the proposed age limit might need to be increased to 8 years instead, to guarantee that the dosage relative to bodyweight does not surpass safe levels, considering typical variations in weight within the general populace.
In Australia, both sugar-free and no-added sugar slushies are offered alongside their sugary counterparts.
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