How much sugar is in a slush?

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a standard 600ml frozen slush can contain up to 18 teaspoons of sugar, a staggering amount that far exceeds daily recommendations. The question of how much sugar is in a slush is important, as these brightly colored drinks are often perceived as harmless treats, but in reality, they are loaded with sweeteners that contribute to a high-calorie intake with no nutritional benefits. This article delves into the surprisingly high sugar content of slushies and what it means for your health.

Quick Summary

This article explores the sugar content of popular frozen slush drinks, detailing the high levels of sweeteners and calories. It compares the nutritional profile of slushies to other sugary beverages, discusses the role of ingredients like glycerol, and highlights the significant health risks associated with excessive consumption, especially for children.

Key Points

Hidden sugar: Slushies contain high amounts of sugar, often far exceeding daily recommendations, due to the need for a high sugar content to prevent freezing solid.
Glycerol risk for children: Some sugar-free varieties use glycerol, which has been linked to health risks like low blood sugar and shock in young children.
High in calories: Despite being mostly ice, slushies are dense with calories from their sugary syrup, offering no significant nutritional benefits.
Size matters: The sugar content can vary dramatically depending on the size and brand, with a supersized option containing a surprisingly high number of teaspoons of sugar.
Healthier alternatives exist: Making slushies at home with natural fruit and controlled sweeteners is an excellent way to reduce sugar intake and avoid additives.
Comparison to soda: While some report slushies having fewer calories than soda by volume, a large slush can easily contain more sugar than a comparably sized sugary drink.

The Hidden Sugar in Your Favorite Frozen Treat

Frozen slush drinks, often referred to as slushies, are a common sight at convenience stores and theme parks, especially during warmer months. Their icy texture and sweet, fruity flavors make them a popular choice, but most consumers are unaware of just how much sugar is in a slush. The high sugar content is necessary to prevent the drink from freezing into a solid block of ice. Many commercial slush machines require a syrup solution with a sugar concentration of 12–22% to achieve the perfect consistency. This makes slushies essentially frozen sugar water with artificial flavoring.

The Numbers: A Closer Look at Slush Nutrition

Individual slush drinks can vary greatly in their nutritional content depending on the brand, size, and flavor. For example, a single, regular-sized slush can contain between 23g and 31g of sugar. A supersized slush can easily contain much more, with some reports suggesting up to 30 teaspoons of sugar, which is over 120 grams. To put this into perspective, the WHO recommends a daily intake of no more than six teaspoons (about 25 grams) of sugar for an average adult. A single slush can provide more than double this recommended daily limit, and a supersized drink can contain five times the recommended amount.

The Use of Sweeteners and Glycerol

To reduce calories and avoid sugar taxes, many manufacturers have turned to alternative sweeteners and additives. Glycerol is one such additive used to lower the freezing point of the mixture and maintain the drink's slushy texture. While this may reduce the sugar content, it introduces other health concerns. Recent research has shown that glycerol in slushies can be toxic to young children, leading to glycerol intoxication syndrome, which causes dangerously low blood sugar levels, shock, and loss of consciousness. For this reason, some health authorities recommend that children under a certain age should not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.

Comparison: Slush vs. Other Sweet Beverages

To truly grasp the impact of slushie consumption, it's helpful to compare its sugar levels to other commonly consumed sugary drinks. While some suggest that a slush might have fewer calories than a regular soda, the sugar load remains a significant concern.


Beverage (16 oz / 473 ml)	Approximate Sugar Content (grams)	Equivalent Teaspoons of Sugar
Standard Slush	30g	~7.5
Regular Soda	52g	~13
Sports Drink	36g	~9
Supersized Slush	120g	~30

As the table illustrates, while a regular slush may have less sugar than a similarly sized soda, a supersized slush can far exceed the sugar content of other popular sugary beverages. This highlights the importance of portion size and frequency when consuming these drinks.

The Health Consequences of Excessive Sugar

The health risks associated with high sugar consumption are well-documented. Regularly consuming slushies contributes to a range of issues, from weight gain and dental problems to more serious metabolic diseases. The body processes large amounts of sugar quickly, leading to blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can affect mood and energy levels. Over time, a diet high in added sugars is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver problems. Furthermore, the empty calories in slushies provide no nutritional value, meaning they fill you up without providing essential vitamins or minerals.

How to Reduce Your Slush Sugar Intake

If you love slushies but want to cut down on your sugar, there are several alternatives. Making homemade slushies is one of the best ways to control the ingredients and reduce the sugar. You can use natural fruit juices, blend frozen fruits with ice and a small amount of honey or maple syrup, or use sugar-free syrups. Many brands offer low-calorie or sugar-free powdered drink mixes that can be used to make a frozen drink without the massive sugar load. For commercial options, be on the lookout for brands that offer sugar-free or diet versions. Always check the nutritional information to be sure.

Making Healthier Slush Choices

Make it yourself: Use a blender to mix ice with fruit juice or pureed fruit. Add a little stevia or other zero-calorie sweetener to taste.
Choose smaller sizes: If buying commercially, opt for the smallest size available to limit your sugar intake.
Dilute it: Add a splash of water or sugar-free carbonated water to your slush to cut down on the sweetness and sugar concentration.
Inquire about ingredients: Ask vendors about the sugar content of their syrups. Some vendors offer low-sugar options.
Limit frequency: Treat slushies as a rare treat rather than a regular beverage to minimize the negative health impacts.

Conclusion: A Sweet Treat with a High Price

Ultimately, a slush is a sweet indulgence that comes with a surprisingly high sugar price tag. While the occasional small slush is unlikely to cause serious harm, regular or large-sized servings can have significant negative effects on your health, contributing to excess sugar intake, weight gain, and dental problems. For children, the risks can be even greater, especially when the drinks contain glycerol. Being mindful of the ingredients, portion sizes, and frequency is crucial for making a healthier choice. Opting for homemade versions or low-sugar alternatives is the smartest way to enjoy a frozen treat without the unhealthy side effects.

How much sugar is in a slush? Final takeaways

High sugar concentration: Many commercial slushies contain between 12-22% sugar to prevent the mixture from freezing solid, resulting in a very high sugar content.
Exceeds daily limits: A single large slush can contain several times the recommended daily sugar intake of an average adult.
Glycerol risks: Some sugar-free slushies use glycerol, which can pose a health risk to young children, leading to low blood sugar and other issues.
Empty calories: Slushies are mostly empty calories, offering no nutritional value beyond sugar and water.
Healthier alternatives: Homemade slushies with real fruit juice or low-calorie sweeteners are a much healthier option for controlling sugar intake.
Varying content: Sugar content differs significantly between brands and sizes, so checking nutritional facts is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

The high sugar content is necessary to prevent the water and syrup mixture from freezing into a solid block of ice in commercial slush machines. The sugar acts as an antifreeze, allowing the mixture to maintain its characteristic slushy consistency.

Not necessarily. Many sugar-free versions replace sugar with glycerol, which has been linked to serious health risks, including glycerol intoxication syndrome, in young children. Always check the ingredients and consider healthier, homemade options.

The sugar content varies greatly depending on the serving size. While some comparisons suggest a standard slush may have less sugar than a soda of the same size, a supersized slush can have a much higher sugar content than most soft drinks.

Yes, making your own slush at home is a great way to control the sugar. You can blend real fruit with ice, water, and a low-calorie sweetener like stevia for a healthier version of the frozen treat.

Excessive consumption of sugary slushies contributes to a high calorie intake, which can lead to weight gain, dental cavities, and an increased risk of developing metabolic issues like type 2 diabetes. The high sugar load also causes blood sugar spikes and crashes.

Glycerol intoxication syndrome is a condition linked to the consumption of glycerol-containing slushies by young children. Symptoms can include low blood sugar levels, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness.

No. Most slushies contain primarily sugar, water, and artificial flavoring, offering no significant nutritional value or health benefits. They are considered an occasional treat rather than part of a healthy diet.