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WITH their fun, fruity flavours and tongue-staining colours, slushy drinks are a magnet for young kids.
But parents might want to think twice before shelling out for an icy treat.
Experts say slushies are not suitable for younger children due to a key ingredient called glycerol[/caption]
Food chiefs warn that kids under four should not be given the frosty drinks, as they can be toxic.
It comes after two tots fell seriously ill after supping them.
Three-year-old Angus fell unconscious after drinking his first raspberry slushy last month.
His terrified mum Victoria Anderson, 29, from Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, was told by hospital staff the drink had caused glycerol intoxication.
Glycerol, often labelled as E422, is a key ingredient in crushed ice drinks which helps keep them at the right consistency and prevents them from freezing.
Although glycerol is generally of low toxicity, there are concerns about the effect on young children when large quantities are consumed over a short period of time.
And last year Albie Pegg, four, from Nuneaton, Warwicks was left struggling to breathe after gulping down a small strawberry slushy.
Doctors were said to have warned his terrified mum, Beth Green, 25, he might not make it due to “glycerol intolerance” but luckily he since made a full recovery.
While these are extreme cases, toddlers can still suffer headaches, sickness, and may faint or go into shock due to high levels of glycerol.
Adam Hardgrave, head of additives at the Food Standards Agency, said: “It is important parents are aware of the risks . . . it is likely that there is under-reporting of glycerol intoxication, as parents may attribute nausea and headaches to other factors.”
But are there other nasties hiding in your little ones’ favourite drinks?
Nutritionist Amanda Ursell has revealed which treats parents should avoid, with each given a “toxicity” risk rating out of five.
Milkshakes
The nasty – sugar overload
A large McDonald’s vanilla milkshake contains a whopping 77g of sugar[/caption]
AMANDA SAYS: Kids tend to go mad for milkshakes, but if buying them for youngsters, bear in mind they often have a sugary secret.
In 2018, the charity Action On Sugar found that milkshakes sold by many High Street restaurants and fast-food chains contain “shocking” levels of sugar.
The Five Guys’ milkshake base – the vanilla-flavoured content to which flavours are added – is advertised on its menu as having a staggering 69g of sugar – equivalent to approximately 16 teaspoons of it.
And a large McDonald’s vanilla milkshake contains a whopping 77g.
While it might be tempting to think shakes provide lots of bone-building calcium for kids thanks to the milk, the huge amount of sugar shovelled in to make them taste more appealing can be dangerous.
Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, and with that you have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Milk is totally fine plain – or blend it with a banana to sweeten it naturally.
RISK FACTOR: 4
Fizzy fruit
The nasty – sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate, found in sugary drinks, can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s[/caption]
AMANDA SAYS: Kids crave fizzy fruit drinks, but caution is needed.
Sodium benzoate can be found in the ingredients list of some fizzy pop products.
A preservative that has been used for decades, it occurs naturally in berries but is used in large quantities to prevent mould in soft drinks.
Research by a team from Sheffield University suggests it may have the ability to switch off vital parts of our DNA, causing cell damage.
This problem can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.
RISK FACTOR: 3
Ribena
The nasty – aspartame
Sweeteners in Ribena have been at the centre of controversy for decades[/caption]
AMANDA SAYS: Ribena is a popular refresher for kids – some take it to school in drinks bottles.
But it should be consumed with caution as, along with many other sugar-free drinks, it contains aspartame.
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener that has caused controversy for decades.
A mid-Nineties study linked high doses of it with brain tumours, cancer, lymphomas and leukaemia.
However, earlier this year, the World Health Organisation said there was “limited evidence” to support its potentially cancer-causing effects.
Some researchers are still arch enemies of aspartame and according to the NHS, it isn’t suitable for people with phenylketonuria, a genetic condition which prevents the breakdown of amino acids in the body.
If left untreated, it can lead to brain damage – but this is rare.
RISK FACTOR: 2
Prime Energy
The nasty – excessive caffeine
Prime contains a huge 140mg of caffeine per 330ml serving[/caption]
AMANDA SAYS: Kids are desperate to get their hands on cans of Prime Energy, the colourfully packaged beverage peddled by YouTube stars KSI and Logan Paul.
But parents should be aware that the popular liquid contains a huge 140mg of caffeine per 330ml serving.
That’s equivalent to around four 330ml cans of Coca Cola or almost two 250ml cans of Red Bull.
The Cleveland Clinic hospital group in the US gives the stark message that no amount of caffeine is proven “safe” for children aged under 12.
Caffeine taken by children has been associated with symptoms ranging from headaches to insomnia, fatigue, irritation and stomach aches.
RISK FACTOR: 4
Cola
The nasty – phosphoric acid
Many soft drinks like Coke contain phosphoric acid[/caption]
AMANDA SAYS: During school holidays, your children are more likely than ever to pester you for a can of Coke – but think twice.
Many soft drinks, especially colas, contain phosphoric acid.
This acts as a preservative and does this by creating acid levels of around 2.5pH, which is just above that of pure lime juice.
This is bad news for tooth enamel, which is prone to being dissolved in even slightly acidic conditions.
If tooth enamel has repeated exposure to soft drinks containing acids, they are left vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria.
At a time when children should be developing strong teeth, it is vital to avoid acidic and sugary beverages that could end up ruining their smile.
RISK FACTOR: 3
Slushies
The nasty – glycerol
The Food Standards Agency reckons under-tens should be refused free slushy refills[/caption]
AMANDA SAYS: The pressure of nagging can’t be overestimated.
But if your kids are craving an iced slushy, stand firm, as those under four should not be having these frozen drinks.
The Food Standards Agency reckons under-tens should be refused free slushy refills to stop them drinking too much.
Glycerol is used in slushy drinks as a substitute for sugar, to give the ‘slush’ effect.
The drinks industry is being advised to use the minimum amount of glycerol necessary, but in some cases a large 350ml drink can contain up to 17,500mg of glycerol, which exceeds upper limits for four-year-olds.
Glycerol intoxication is very serious – it can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and in extreme cases a loss of consciousness.
RISK FACTOR: 5
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