Apple reportedly tests an app to manage blood sugar

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 workers to validate they had been prediabetic through a blood check. Staff then monitored their blood sugar utilizing “varied gadgets accessible in the marketplace” and logged modifications associated to what meals they had been consuming.

Prediabetes is a metabolic situation when blood sugar ranges are larger than regular, and will increase an individual’s danger of growing Sort 2 diabetes. And whereas there is no such thing as a remedy for diabetes, prediabetes can be reversed by means of weight loss program and train interventions. The concept for an app like this could be to indicate individuals how completely different decisions can affect blood sugar ranges. For instance, a carb-heavy meal may spike blood sugar, however pairing the identical meal with protein can blunt the spike.

The report notes that the app was meant to research what instruments Apple might develop utilizing blood sugar information. Nonetheless, Bloomberg additionally says that Apple has since paused work on the app to give attention to different well being options. Even so, it’s doable that Apple will use its findings in future well being tech choices.

On a bigger scale, metabolic well being monitoring is a burgeoning wearable pattern. Earlier this 12 months, Dexcom and Abbott each launched over-the-counter CGMs that had been aimed toward prediabetic, non-diabetics, and Sort 2 diabetics who don’t use insulin. There are additionally continuous glucose monitor (CGM) startups, like Nutrisense and Ranges, that use CGM information to assist individuals shed weight, gas for endurance sports activities, or study how sure meals affect their blood sugar ranges.

Given all that, it’s not stunning to listen to Apple is fascinated about 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 methods to noninvasively monitor blood glucose, although that undertaking is still likely years away from completion.