Nearly all of the children in the study -- 94% -- experienced a drop in consciousness, 95% had dangerously low blood sugar, and 94% developed a buildup of acid in the body. Other symptoms included low potassium levels, excessive fat levels in the blood, and high levels of glycerol in the urine.

Bright, multi-coloured, fruit-flavoured slushie ice drinks sold in cinemas, parks and soft-play settings are made to appeal to children. However, in recent years there have been numerous reports of children taking ill after consuming sugar-free versions of them, which contain glycerol.

Sugar-free slushies containing glycerol, a sugar substitute, can have toxic effects on young children, a new study warns. Researchers say these popular ice drinks can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels and metabolic imbalances in kids 7 and younger.

Across the UK and Ireland in recent years, there has been an increase in kids becoming seriously ill soon after drinking sugar-free slushies. A new study has pointed the finger at glycerol, a compound that’s used as a sugar substitute and,