Apple has lengthy been rumored to be engaged on noninvasive blood glucose monitoring. Now, a Bloomberg report says the corporate examined an app that helps individuals with prediabetes higher handle their situation.
Citing nameless Apple sources, Bloomberg notes the app required Apple staff to validate they have been prediabetic by way of a blood take a look at. Staff then monitored their blood sugar utilizing “varied gadgets out there in the marketplace” and logged adjustments associated to what meals they have been consuming.
Prediabetes is a metabolic situation when blood sugar ranges are larger than regular, and will increase an individual’s threat of growing Kind 2 diabetes. And whereas there isn’t a remedy for diabetes, prediabetes may be reversed via weight loss program and train interventions. The thought for an app like this may be to point out individuals how completely different selections can influence blood sugar ranges. For instance, a carb-heavy meal would possibly spike blood sugar, however pairing the identical meal with protein can blunt the spike.
The report notes that the app was meant to analyze what instruments Apple may develop utilizing blood sugar knowledge. Nonetheless, Bloomberg additionally says that Apple has since paused work on the app to deal with different well being options. Even so, it’s attainable that Apple will use its findings in future well being tech choices.
On a bigger scale, metabolic well being monitoring is a burgeoning wearable development. Earlier this 12 months, Dexcom and Abbott each launched over-the-counter CGMs that have been geared toward prediabetic, non-diabetics, and Kind 2 diabetics who don’t use insulin. There are additionally steady glucose monitor (CGM) startups, like Nutrisense and Ranges, that use CGM knowledge to assist individuals drop a few pounds, gas for endurance sports activities, or find out about how sure meals influence their blood sugar ranges.
Given all that, it’s not shocking to listen to Apple is taken with exploring this space. For starters, it’s largely shied away from native meals logging whereas additionally growing third-party CGM integrations. Apple itself has reportedly spent roughly 15 years tinkering on the best way to noninvasively monitor blood glucose, although that mission remains to be probably years away from completion.
