Apple is reportedly testing a health-focused app aimed at preventing diabetes bloombergI’m Mark Garman. The app is not scheduled for release, but it could help inform some of Apple’s future products related to blood sugar management.
Selected employees with prediabetes were invited to test an app that helps them make food choices and lifestyle changes. Participating employees had blood tests confirm they were pre-diabetic and actively monitored their diet and blood sugar levels using blood glucose monitoring devices.
The app was used to demonstrate to employees how healthy and unhealthy food choices affect blood sugar levels and lead to disease progression. For example, a significant increase in blood sugar after a carbohydrate-rich meal may prompt the tester to eat more protein and make different choices. Intervening at the prediabetic stage could potentially prevent millions of people from developing diabetes.
Garman said Apple used the app to consider how blood sugar data is used and what tools could be useful for consumers in the future. For the past few years, Apple has been working on adding non-invasive blood sugar monitoring capabilities to the Apple Watch. Currently, most blood sugar tests require a skin puncture, but Apple is developing a way to use optical absorption spectroscopy and lasers to measure glucose levels in the body without puncturing the skin.
As of last year, Apple’s blood glucose monitoring efforts had reached the “proof of concept” stage. Apple has a working prototype device, but it’s still too large to fit into a device the size of the Apple Watch. It will be several more years before Apple can launch an Apple Watch with non-invasive blood sugar tracking.
In the meantime, Apple may develop more advanced food tracking and blood sugar tracking tools for its Health app and expand integration with third-party blood sugar monitors.
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