Photo/Illutration A cup version of soda-flavored GariGarikun ice pop at the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture (Sokichi Kuroda)

KUMAGAYA, Saitama Prefecture--It may be just an ice pop to most people, but GariGarikun happens to be a surprising comfort food for many terminally ill patients in their final days, doctors say.

Anecdotes from families and healthcare workers suggest that the simple flavors and icy crunch provide enjoyment when other foods are unappealing.

Atsuko Okubo, a nurse who works in palliative care at the prefecture-run Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center here, said terminally ill patients tend to lose their appetites and have a diminished sense of taste in their last phase of life.

Coupled with a dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, they prefer nourishment that is cold, has a refreshing mouthfeel and pronounced flavor.

Thus, frozen desserts that melt slowly in the mouth are very popular among the terminally ill.

“Many of them say they can eat nothing but GariGarikun,” Okubo said.

THE RIGHT PICK

GariGarikun has proven hugely popular among both children and adults since it was introduced in 1981. For many Japanese people, the square-shaped frozen dessert is a nostalgic snack from childhood.

The ice lolly, which is packaged in 105-milliliter servings, has a harder outer layer to contain the flavored ice.

The medical institution where Okubo works serves a 60-mL cup version developed for professional use. It is available in soda and grape flavors that are not commercially available.

The hospital introduced the cup version in 2017.

“It has received positive responses for its crunchy texture and refreshing and pleasing flavor,” said Tomoko Manba, head of the nutrition department at the center. “The soda flavor is especially popular.”

JOY OF LIFE

Takeshi Hirohashi, head of the cancer treatment and palliative care center at Eiju General Hospital in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, shared a post on his social media three years ago, saying, “For terminally ill patients who have trouble eating, the savior is GariGarikun.”

He came up with the idea of giving them the ice treat after he recommended GariGarikun to a cancer patient who had repeatedly choked on food and had eating difficulties.

After being fed a spoonful of the ice pop, the patient’s face broke into a smile the doctor had never seen before.

“Eating is connected to the joy of life,” Hirohashi said. “If they can enjoy the last mouthful, it will be a special moment shared by them and their families.”

His post caused a buzz online, drawing a range of responses from across the country.

One post said the user’s grandfather gave his last smile when he ate a GariGarikun.

In another post, the user wished they had known sooner.

Hirohashi, who found GariGarikun helpful when he was being treated for thyroid cancer, said the popsicle is an obvious first choice for patients with eating difficulties because it is readily available.

“But it is also a good idea to try other ice treats that fit their preferences,” he added.

HONORED BY DOCTORS

The ice popsicle was cited by the Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine (JSPM) at its conference in 2019 for its unexpected role in helping terminally ill patients with eating difficulties.

Akagi Nyugyo Co. in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, which produces and sells the ice lolly, was surprised to learn of the citation.

Since then, it has been receiving letters and calls of appreciation from families of patients.

“We feel greatly honored that it has been of help to customers in an unexpected way,” a representative said.

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