Apple Watch has made significant advancements in glucose monitoring, including FDA-approved integration with existing CGMs like Dexcom G7, which now connects directly without a phone, and ongoing development of non-invasive glucose sensors using optical technology. While immediate benefits are available for current CGM users, Apple's long-term goal is to create a non-invasive, wrist-worn device that could revolutionize metabolic health monitoring and disease prevention. Despite technical and regulatory challenges, these innovations suggest a transformative future for health tech.
MIT researchers have developed a noninvasive, Raman spectroscopy-based device that can measure blood glucose levels without finger pricks, showing promise as a comfortable alternative for diabetes management, with ongoing efforts to miniaturize and adapt it for wearable use.
The FDA has approved Signos' glucose monitoring system for weight loss, offering an accessible, AI-driven solution that uses continuous glucose monitors to provide real-time data and personalized recommendations, aiming to help Americans manage their weight more effectively and affordably.
The author tested an AI-powered continuous glucose monitor (Stelo) paired with the Oura Ring for two weeks, discovering that blood sugar spikes are normal and manageable through food pairing, timing, and activity, leading to better understanding and control of metabolic health even without diabetes.
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) offer real-time insights into blood sugar levels, helping to detect fluctuations and improve diabetes management beyond traditional lab tests. They can identify issues like post-meal spikes and nocturnal highs, and are especially useful for children and the elderly. However, their use in healthy individuals is cautioned due to potential anxiety and misinterpretation. Dietary factors like mangoes can influence blood sugar, highlighting the importance of comprehensive monitoring.
A wellness writer experimented with the Oura Ring and Dexcom's Stelo CGM to track blood sugar levels, discovering that natural foods, meal timing, and post-meal activity significantly influence glucose levels, even in healthy individuals. The experience highlighted the importance of food pairing, exercise, and meal timing in managing blood sugar without drastic dietary changes.
Oura, the smart ring maker, has secured a $75 million investment from glucose monitoring device firm Dexcom, raising its valuation to over $5 billion. This partnership will integrate Oura's rings with Dexcom's glucose monitoring technology, allowing users to track blood sugar levels and make informed health decisions. The first app integration is expected by mid-2025. Oura, which has sold 2.5 million rings, anticipates doubling its sales in 2024. This collaboration positions Oura and Dexcom against competitors like Apple, which is also exploring noninvasive glucose monitoring solutions.
Oura smart rings will soon offer enhanced blood sugar monitoring capabilities through a partnership with Dexcom, the maker of the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor in the U.S. This collaboration aims to integrate Oura's health data with Dexcom's glucose insights, providing users with a comprehensive view of their health. The first app integration is expected by mid-2025, and Dexcom is investing $75 million in Oura's Series D funding. This partnership will allow users to make informed lifestyle choices based on their glucose levels and other health metrics.
Dexcom has announced that its G7 continuous glucose monitor can now send real-time blood sugar data directly to Apple Watch via a dedicated Bluetooth connection, eliminating the need for an iPhone. This new feature, highly requested by users, is available in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland, with more markets to follow. Users will need the latest Dexcom G7 app, an Apple Watch Series 6 or later, and an iPhone running iOS 17 or later.
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to use a smartphone's compass to analyze biomarkers in body fluids, potentially allowing for the monitoring and diagnosis of diseases. In a proof-of-concept study, they successfully measured glucose and pH levels in various liquids. The technique involves a small magnet embedded in a hydrogel strip that interacts with the smartphone's magnetometer. While more testing is needed for biological fluids, this innovation could lead to affordable and portable medical sensing capabilities, with potential applications in healthcare and environmental monitoring.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique that utilizes an ordinary cellphone magnetometer to measure the concentration of glucose and pH levels with high accuracy, using magnetized hydrogel test strips. This method has the potential to rapidly and inexpensively measure various biomedical properties for disease monitoring and environmental toxin detection. The proof-of-concept study demonstrated the ability to measure glucose concentrations as small as a few millionths of a mole, and future improvements could enable the detection of DNA strands, specific proteins, and histamines at extremely low concentrations. The technique offers an inexpensive way to conduct testing, even in resource-limited locations, and could have applications in fields such as healthcare, environmental science, and food and beverage production.
Ahead of World Diabetes Day, Apple's health studies provide new analysis on glucose and the challenges faced by people living with diabetes. The studies highlight the benefits of continuous glucose monitors and the integration of data from Apple Watch, showing how exercise and activity levels can impact glucose control. The findings reveal that increased exercise and steps taken correlate with more time spent within the target glucose range. Additionally, the analysis of menstrual cycles shows variations in glucose levels during different phases. The data demonstrates the potential of Apple's technology in empowering individuals to improve their metabolic health and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a wearable sensor that can monitor glucose levels in sweat continuously for up to three weeks. The sensor, made from a laser-modified graphene nanocomposite material, also tracks body temperature and pH levels. Previous attempts at sweat-based glucose monitoring have been limited by low biomarker concentration levels and variability in factors such as pH and temperature. The new sensor addresses these challenges and offers a low-cost, convenient, and accurate platform for continuous analysis of sweat, with potential applications in personalized medicine and precision nutrition.
Engineers at MIT have developed an implantable device that could help people with type 1 diabetes monitor their glucose levels and potentially produce insulin when needed. The device, which has been tested on mice, contains oxygen-producing islet cells and kept glucose levels stable for at least one month. Although concerns about diabetic ketoacidosis and fibrosis remain, researchers hope to create a larger version of the device for human testing within the next four years. If successful, this technology could revolutionize diabetes treatment and potentially be adapted for other illnesses requiring therapeutic protein delivery.
Researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have developed a prototype sensor that can measure glucose levels in saliva, offering a potential alternative to traditional blood testing for diabetes monitoring. The sensor, based on a thin-film transistor, is highly sensitive and can accurately detect glucose concentrations in less than one minute. The device shows promise for mass production as inexpensive disposable sensors and could be life-changing for millions of patients worldwide. The team is now working on developing an array of transistor sensors that can detect multiple metabolites in saliva.
