Huge strides have been made in wearables technology over the past few years, from improved battery life to better ways of tracking activity levels, and this could soon extend to helping people keep an eye on their blood sugar levels too. A new study shows that non-invasive technology like wearables could be used to track blood sugar levels without drawing any blood – allowing people with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels more easily than ever before.
The Results
While wearables are commonly used to help people monitor heart rate, a recent study indicates that they could also be helpful in monitoring blood sugar levels. For those who have diabetes or risk factors for developing it, tracking blood sugar level is vital—and that’s where smartwatches and other wearable tech might come in handy. Many of these devices already feature apps designed to help you keep tabs on your activity level; now, it seems they may have another function as well.
What Does This Mean?
A recent study indicates that data from wearables could be used to spot spikes and dips in blood sugar. While blood glucose monitors are FDA-approved for tracking levels over time, they aren’t approved for use during exercise. Instead, data collected from wearables is still considered experimental. But if studies like these continue to come out, it could mean a brighter future for people with diabetes.
The Implications for Diabetes Patients
As wearable fitness trackers have made their way into mainstream use, researchers have started exploring if and how they can be used to monitor health conditions, including diabetes. For example, one study indicated that wrist-worn devices could be used to track blood sugar levels as well as smartphone apps. The new findings suggest another avenue for improving blood sugar monitoring in people with diabetes who don’t wear a smartwatch or other device regularly; however, additional studies are needed to validate these findings.
