According to rumors, Apple has been working on non-invasive blood sugar measurement for a long time. Well, a Bloomberg According to the report, the company tested an app that helps people with prediabetes better manage their condition.
Citing anonymous Apple sources: Bloomberg notes that the app required Apple employees to confirm that they were prediabetic through a blood test. The employees then monitored their blood sugar using “various devices available on the market” and recorded changes related to the food they consumed.
Prediabetes is a metabolic disorder in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And although there is no cure for diabetes, prediabetes can be reversed through diet and exercise interventions. The idea of such an app would be to show people how different choices can affect blood sugar levels. For example, a meal high in carbohydrates can spike blood sugar levels, but combining the same meal with protein can blunt the spike.
The report notes that the app was intended to explore what tools Apple could develop using blood glucose data. However, Bloomberg It is also said that Apple has now paused work on the app to focus on other health features. Still, it's possible that Apple will use its findings in future health technology offerings.
On a larger scale, metabolic health monitoring is a burgeoning trend in wearable devices. Earlier this year, Dexcom and Abbott both launched over-the-counter CGMs aimed at prediabetics, non-diabetics and type 2 diabetics who do not use insulin. There are also continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) startups like Nutrisense and Levels that use CGM data to help people lose weight, gain strength for endurance sports, or find out how certain foods affect their blood sugar levels.
Given all of this, it's not surprising that Apple is interested in exploring this area. Initially, the logging of local foodstuffs will be largely avoided while at the same time the CGM integration of third-party providers will be increased. Apple itself has reportedly spent about 15 years tinkering with non-invasive blood sugar monitoring, although that project is likely still years away from completion.