Is Slush Unhealthy? What Parents and Consumers Need to Know

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a March 2025 study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, children under the age of eight should not drink slushies containing glycerol due to significant health risks. These popular frozen beverages, whether sweetened with sugar or its substitutes, raise serious health concerns beyond just brain freeze.

Quick Summary

This article explores why slush drinks can be unhealthy for all ages, focusing on the dangers of excessive sugar, artificial ingredients, and the specific risks associated with glycerol for young children. It details the potential health consequences and provides a guide to choosing safer alternatives or making homemade versions.

Key Points

Glycerol is Dangerous for Children: A key takeaway is that slushies containing glycerol (often used as a sugar replacement) can cause serious health issues like low blood sugar and shock in young children.
Commercial Slushies are Very High in Sugar: Many traditional slushy recipes contain exorbitant amounts of sugar, leading to risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental decay.
Artificial Additives are Common: Commercial slushies often contain artificial colors and flavors linked to hyperactivity and other health concerns in children.
Homemade is the Healthiest Option: Making slushies at home with natural ingredients like frozen fruit and juice is the safest way to enjoy them.
Check for Glycerol: Parents should always check for the presence of glycerol (E422) and avoid purchasing drinks containing it for children under seven.
Moderation is Key: For adults and older children, commercial slushies should be treated as a very occasional indulgence due to their high sugar and additive content.

The Dual-Threat of Commercial Slushies: Sugar and Glycerol

Slushies and other frozen ice drinks are popular treats, but their health risks come from two primary ingredients: high levels of sugar or the sugar substitute glycerol. Both types of sweeteners pose distinct threats to your health, with glycerol being a particular concern for children.

The Health Risks of High Sugar Content

For a long time, the main concern with slushies was their extreme sugar content. To prevent the drink from freezing solid, a solution with 12–22% sugar is required. This can result in a single large slushy containing an alarming amount of sugar—up to 20 or more teaspoons, far exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit.

Excessive sugar consumption is linked to a multitude of health problems for all ages, including:

Obesity and Weight Gain: Sugary drinks are a leading source of added sugars and calories that can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Studies show that liquid calories don't provide the same feeling of fullness as solid food, often leading to higher overall caloric intake.
Type 2 Diabetes: High sugar consumption can lead to insulin resistance, a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Heart Disease: A high-sugar diet has been associated with an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Too much sugar can raise blood pressure, increase chronic inflammation, and lead to fatty liver disease.
Dental Issues: The combination of sugar and acidic flavorings can lead to tooth decay and erosion of tooth enamel.

The Specific Dangers of Glycerol for Children

In response to public health campaigns and sugar taxes, many manufacturers replaced sugar with glycerol (E422) in their slushy formulas. While a generally low-toxicity additive, new studies have shown that high levels of glycerol are dangerous for young children due to their smaller body weight and developing metabolism.

High consumption of glycerol can lead to a condition known as glycerol intoxication syndrome, with symptoms including:

Headaches and nausea
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Reduced consciousness or drowsiness
In rare, severe cases, shock and loss of consciousness

In July 2025, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK updated its guidance, recommending that children under 7 should not consume slushies containing glycerol and children aged 7–10 should be limited to no more than one 350ml drink per day.

Commercial Slushies vs. Healthy, Homemade Alternatives

To highlight the difference between commercial drinks and healthier options, here is a comparison:


Feature	Commercial Slushy	Homemade Slushy (e.g., fruit-based)
Sweetener	High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, or Glycerol (E422)	Naturally occurring fruit sugars, honey, or dates
Ingredients	Artificial colors, flavors, stabilizers, preservatives	Whole fruits, fruit juice, coconut water, mint
Nutritional Value	Empty calories, no vitamins or fiber	Contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber from whole fruits
Health Risks	High sugar, obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental issues, glycerol intoxication in children	Minimal risks; dependent on natural sweetener quantity and frequency of consumption
Target Consumer	Broad, with specific risks for young children	All ages; adjustable for health-conscious consumers

How to Create Healthier Frozen Treats

Making your own slushies at home allows for complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a delicious and healthy outcome. Here are some simple, natural recipes:

Watermelon Mint Slush: Blend frozen watermelon chunks with fresh mint and a splash of lime juice. For extra sweetness, add a small amount of honey.
Strawberry Apple Slush: Freeze 100% apple juice in ice cube trays. Blend the juice cubes with fresh or frozen strawberries for a naturally sweet and refreshing drink.
Peach & Lime Slush: Combine frozen peach slices, fresh lime juice, and a bit of water. Blend until smooth for a tangy and sweet treat.
Cherry Pineapple Slush: Blend pitted cherries with fresh or canned pineapple chunks and a cup of water or pineapple juice.

The Takeaway

While a commercial slushy is a tempting and widely available treat, its high content of either sugar or glycerol, along with artificial additives, poses clear health risks. The potential for glycerol intoxication in young children is a serious concern that regulatory bodies are now addressing. The healthiest and safest approach is to enjoy these beverages in moderation and opt for homemade versions made with natural, whole-food ingredients. This allows you to control the sugar content and avoid artificial additives entirely, creating a truly refreshing and nourishing drink.

For more information on reducing sugar intake, visit the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health resource on the sweet dangers of sugar: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar

Conclusion: A Healthier Choice is the Best Choice

The question of whether slush is unhealthy has a definitive answer: yes, commercial versions pose significant health risks due to either extreme sugar levels or the addition of glycerol. These risks, which range from obesity and dental problems for adults to potentially serious intoxication for children, should not be ignored. By choosing to make your own natural versions or consuming commercial ones with extreme moderation, you can satisfy your craving for a cold treat without sacrificing your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glycerol, also known as glycerin (E422), is a sugar alcohol and food additive used to prevent the liquid in slushies from freezing solid, thereby maintaining their semi-frozen consistency. It is often used as a sugar substitute, especially in 'sugar-free' varieties.

While severe cases of glycerol intoxication requiring hospitalization are rare, milder symptoms like headaches and nausea are likely more common but often misattributed to other causes. The risk is particularly high for young children who consume large amounts of glycerol.

No, 'sugar-free' commercial slushies are often not safer, especially for children. These versions frequently replace sugar with high levels of glycerol, which poses specific risks to young children.

Depending on the size and brand, a commercial slushy can contain anywhere from 10 to over 20 teaspoons of sugar, significantly exceeding the recommended daily intake.

Frequent consumption can lead to obesity, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and dental issues. These risks apply to all sugary drinks, but are heightened by the high concentrations in slushies.

While adults are less susceptible to glycerol intoxication than small children due to higher body weight, excessive consumption of glycerol can still cause digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea.

If a child shows symptoms like confusion, drowsiness, or low blood sugar after drinking a slushy, stop them from drinking more and immediately give them something sugary to eat or drink. Seek urgent medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.