Apple, with its extensive R&D resources, continuously innovates and tests new health features across its smartwatch and other products. The company recently introduced sleep apnea detection on its Apple Watch and a hearing protection feature on its AirPods Pro 2.
In line with the company’s ambitions, a report by Mark Gurman for Bloomberg suggests that Apple is testing a new app to help people with prediabetes manage their food intake and make lifestyle changes. These tests were conducted internally in a secure environment among a few Apple employees.
The tests, reportedly conducted earlier this year, are expected to help Apple integrate this technology into future health products, including a noninvasive glucose tracker. Apple has been developing a noninvasive glucose tracker that can measure blood glucose levels using sensors, without requiring a blood sample, for quite some time.
The app primarily focuses on people who have been identified as prediabetic, meaning they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Testers’ blood sugar levels were continuously monitored, and changes in blood glucose levels were noted in response to food intake.
With this data, the app/service can help users log their meals and get suggestions on future meals that would reduce blood sugar spikes and promote long-term health.
This app research indicates that the company focuses on adding diabetes-related features to its products, such as meal logging and recommendations, to help users avoid the disease. Eventually, this will also contribute to Apple’s long-term goal of introducing a noninvasive glucose tracker.
We should get more details on this development in the coming months.