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Should Kids Really Stop Drinking Slushies? Here’s What A GP Says

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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) say that children under the age of five should steer clear of “slush”-style ice drinks and under-11s should have no more than one slushie.

This is because its sweetener, glycerol, has the “potential to cause side-effects such as headaches and sickness, particularly when consumed in excess,” the FSA says.

But recently, researchers have said that kids under eight should avoid the cooling treat too.

A study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood looked at 21 cases of children who ended up in A&E within an hour or so of drinking slushies.

It found that, especially when children drink slushies quickly, it can lead “glycerol intoxication syndrome” (which can cause unconsciousness and even seizures).

As a result, the paper recommended: “younger children, especially those under 8 years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol.”

But if the ingredient can be so dangerous, should any of us drink it? We spoke to Dr Olalekan Otulana, a GP at Ocean Recovery and Cassiobury Court, about how the information should inform slushie lovers and parents alike.

The GP agrees that children under eight should steer clear of the drink

“The advice to keep children under eight away from slushies containing glycerol is reasonable,” the doctor told us.

After all, the ingredient isn’t just a problem at A&E-visit-causing levels; milder cases of glycerol “intoxication” can still lead to nausea, headaches, and vomiting.

“However if you are extending [the advice] further to all age groups this may not be necessary,” Dr Otulana continued.

“Older children and adults are less likely to experience harmful effects unless they are consuming excessive amounts quickly. It is commonly used in food and is generally safe in small quantities.”

Indeed the FSA write that “glycerol is generally of low toxicity”, though they acknowledge “concerns about the effect on young children when large quantities are consumed over a short period of time.”

Still, the researchers of the recent paper say that because most customers have no idea how much glycerol is in a given slushie ― and because children’s weight and health differs so much ― “estimating a safe dose is… not easy.”

So, while Dr Otulana says most older children and adults are likely alright to enjoy “occasional consumption” of slushies, he warns against “drinking it in high amounts”.

Is the FSA thinking of changing its guidelines about slushies?

The FSA’s director of policy, Rebecca Sudworth, says the agency is “carefully” reviewing the new information.

“We continue to strongly encourage parents to follow [the current] advice which is that slushie drinks should not be given to children under four years old. Retailers are also advised to make parents fully aware of this guidance,” she said.

“While the symptoms of glycerol intoxication are usually mild, it is important that parents are aware of the risks ― particularly at high levels of consumption.”

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11 Early Signs Your Relationship Is Quietly Falling Apart

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A 2011 meta-analysis of studies found that marriage doesn’t actually make couples happier ― if your relationship with your partner wasn’t great before the big day, their research says, it likely won’t become that way afterwards.

That’s why Evon Inyang, a licensed associate marriage and family therapist and the founder of ForwardUs Counselling previously told HuffPost UK that it’s important not to go along with a failing relationship for the sake of it.

There’s no need to settle for unhappiness “just because invitations have been sent out, the dress has been bought and deposits have been paid,” she wrote.

Still, many of us struggle to recognise when our relationship is “off.” So it’s a good thing u/one-droplet recently asked the netizens of r/AskReddit: “What are the early signs of a failing relationship that most people ignore?”

Here are some of the most-upvoted responses:

1) “Not wanting to talk to them about things you find interesting because you feel their reaction will ruin it.”

Credit: u/Oograsti

2) “In my experience, when you stop imagining a future together, that’s how you know it won’t last.”

Credit: u/PurpleDreamer28

3) “When you love the memories more than the person standing in front of you.”

Credit: u/dragonzander1

4) “Only one person doing all the work.”

Credit: u/Slick_Nick420

5) “I used to slow down at work just so I would have to work late even though I wasn’t getting paid for it.”

“Did this for years before I finally decided to leave my ex.”

Credit: u/AwkwardlyTwisted

6) “When you stop arguing with your spouse. Not because things are good but because it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Credit: u/AwkwardlyTwisted

7) “When conversations become minimal or surface-level, it can indicate a deeper disconnect.”

Credit: u/LaylaLoyal3

8) “If a partner is too busy for you then they’ve found something more important than you.”

“If you’re of importance to someone, they’ll make time for you.”

Credit: u/saqreye

9) “Indifference. When you really have no emotional response to each other.”

“This the death of a relationship.”

Credit: u/dma1965

10) “When you stop sharing the little things — random thoughts, funny memes, or how their day went.”

“When the small talk disappears, the connection starts fading.”

Credit: u/GreedyFig6373

11) “Feeling annoyed when you know you have to see them in the evening. Or when you hear them chewing.”

“Or when they start talking and you just wish they would stop soon. Feeling annoyed when they kiss or hug you or give you affection. You might not even know you are annoyed.

“You just get that heavy feeling in your chest when you have to be in their vicinity. You hear an ‘ugh’ go through your mind.”

Credit: u/Brynhild

Do you agree with these or have any thoughts to add?

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No, Keir Starmer Is Not Abolishing The NHS

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Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that he will be abolishing NHS England over the next two years.

That does not mean the NHS itself is being scrapped – the health service in England will remain in place as it is.

NHS England is an executive, non-departmental public body which operates independently of government to oversee the day-to-day operation and commissioning of the NHS.

The PM’s announcement means any responsibilities NHS England have will be brought back under ministerial control.

Plenty of people on social media did point out that the government’s messaging around the news was not exactly clear, however.

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Urgent message to Keir – please clarify that you are not abolishing the NHS.

My estimate of the % of the public who know that NHS England is an arms length management body – <1%.

Another comms own goal from the govt, I see.

— Amy Gandon (@GandonAmy) March 13, 2025

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Urgent message to Keir – please clarify that you are not abolishing the NHS.

My estimate of the % of the public who know that NHS England is an arms length management body – 1%.

Another comms own goal from the govt, I see.

— Amy Gandon (@GandonAmy) March 13, 2025

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*** Just to clarify, Keir Starmer has said he is abolishing NHS England (a government management body formed in 2013), NOT the NHS in England ***

— Neena Jha (@DrNeenaJha) March 13, 2025

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*** Just to clarify, Keir Starmer has said he is abolishing NHS England (a government management body formed in 2013), NOT the NHS in England ***

— Neena Jha (@DrNeenaJha) March 13, 2025