Popular Frozen Drink Linked to Children's Illness, Study Finds

A summertime favorite may come with unexpected health risks for kids, according to a new study.

Researchers at University College Dublin reviewed cases of 21 children who fell ill between 2009 and 2024 after consuming slush ice drinks. Alarmingly, most of the children—none of whom had preexisting medical conditions—experienced symptoms within an hour of drinking these icy treats.

The affected children, aged 2 to 6 years old, sought medical treatment in the U.K. and Ireland. Symptoms included acute loss of consciousness, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), metabolic acidosis (lactic acid buildup in the bloodstream), pseudohypertriglyceridaemia (falsely elevated triglycerides), and hypokalemia (low potassium levels). One child even suffered a seizure. Talk about a not-so-sweet situation!

Lead study author Ellen Crushell, a pediatrician at Children's Health Ireland and clinical professor at University College Dublin, explained that the children had abnormally low blood sugar, high lactate levels, and elevated glycerol levels in their blood and urine while ill. Thankfully, all recovered well after hospitalization and intravenous fluids.

The culprit? Glycerol. This ingredient, used as a sweetener and to maintain the semi-frozen texture of some slush ice drinks, appears to trigger a syndrome called glycerol intoxication in large doses. The study found that avoiding these drinks resolved symptoms for 95% of the children. Crushell noted that glycerol, increasingly used as a sugar substitute, can be harmful to small children in high quantities.

Slush ice drinks, often a symbol of carefree fun, don't seem to convey any health benefits. Crushell recommended they not be part of a balanced diet at any age. The U.K. Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland have advised that children under 4 avoid these drinks entirely, while older kids should consume them only in moderation.

Parents are encouraged to monitor the use of slush ice machines at home and check the ingredients of syrups for glycerol. Manufacturers’ guidelines should also be followed to avoid unintended risks.

The researchers acknowledged limitations in the study, including its small sample size and focus on the sickest children brought to emergency departments. Additionally, the exact glycerol quantities in the drinks consumed remain unknown. While the study doesn’t account for milder cases, it sheds light on an issue previously unreported in medical literature.

This research could potentially pave the way for new policies and guidance on glycerol ingestion. Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and slush drink manufacturers for comments on the findings.