Your child's favorite sugar-free drink is linked to this dangerous condition

Sugar-free slushie drinks containing glycerol could be dangerous for children.

Research published in the BMJ’s Archives of Disease in Childhood found that the glycerol-containing drinks could cause glycerol intoxication syndrome, particularly for those under eight years of age. ^[]

“This is the first detailed description of glycerol intoxication syndrome in a series of children,” the study authors write. “Onset occurred shortly after ingestion of a slush ice drink. Clinical and biochemical features mimicked metabolic disease and included acutely decreased consciousness, hypoglycaemia, and metabolic acidosis.” 

“Healthcare professionals and parents should be aware that young children can become seriously unwell due to glycerol intoxication, shortly after consuming slush ice drinks containing glycerol.” 

Unwell within 60 minutes of drinking slushies

The retrospective study reviewed the cases of 21 children in the UK. Among them, 93% became unwell within an hour of drinking the slushie drinks. None of the children had a relevant past medical history.

Additionally, 94% experienced an acute decrease in consciousness, 95% experienced hypoglycaemia, 94% experienced metabolic (lactic) acidosis, 89% experienced  pseudohypertriglyceridaemia, and 75% of them experienced hypokalaemia. 

“I was not aware of this association. Now that I'm aware of this, though, it definitely causes pause and caution in me to ever allow my child (or anyone else I know) to consume these types of sugar-free slushie drinks that contain glycerol.”

Glycerol intoxication

In sugar-free slushies, glycerol is used in order for the drinks to have a “slush” effect in the absence of sugar. Artificial sweeteners like stevia and sucralose are also used. 

When consumed, glycerol is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract and is metabolised primarily by the liver. Generally, it is believed to be safe in humans, though there are reports of glycerol intoxication syndrome if an individual consumed large doses of glycerol. [1]

More awareness needed

The study is the first published case report on the association between glycerol intoxication syndrome and slushie ice drinks.

“This case series should also inform public health bodies and food safety authorities when making recommendations on glycerol ingestion in young children, with an emphasis on safety,” the study authors wrote.

Dr. Hunnes underscores the need for greater awareness of the issue, both among parents and the medical community.

“I definitely think that there needs to be clear messaging, black-box warning for vendors who are selling this product and also for the medical community, pediatricians (etc), to inform parents,” she says.

Gina Posner, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California. She says the topic of slushie drinks may not come up in a standard consult with a pediatrician, so warning labels on slushies may prove more useful.

“I’d prefer if the slushie machines had a warning on them for the sugar-free option. I think that would be much more helpful. We are so busy as pediatricians, I don't typically bring up, ‘Well, if you give your children slushies, please make sure you don't give them sugar-free ones.’ So it's really not something that comes up typically in our everyday conversation,” she says.

Both Dr. Hunnes and Dr. Posner agree that when choosing slushies as a treat for their children, parents are better off choosing the full-sugar version.

“When I give my kids slushies, I give them the full-sugar ones, because it's a treat. It's not something I'm giving on a regular basis, and it should be thought of as a treat, as a dessert,” Dr. Posner says.