Apple has been testing an application this year to help people with prediabetes manage their food intake and make lifestyle changes, according to sources close to the matter. Although the company has no plans to launch the application, it may integrate the technology into future health products, such as a non-invasive glucose monitor that it has been developing for over a decade.
Selected employees participated in the test earlier this year to validate whether they were prediabetic with a blood analysis as part of Apple's broader efforts to expand blood sugar-related functions. Although the research is not directly related to the development of a needle-free glucose monitor, it could influence how the company approaches that project in the future.
Device manufacturers for treating conditions associated with diabetes experienced a drop in their stocks following the report's release, then recovered. The idea of analyzing a person's blood without the need to pierce the skin represents a potentially revolutionary advancement in the fight against diabetes.
During the test, employees actively monitored their blood sugar levels using commercially available devices and recorded changes in response to food intake. The system's goal is to show consumers how certain foods affect their glucose levels, with the hope of preventing diabetes through dietary changes.
Apple's focus on health includes studies with employees before launching new features to the public. The Cupertino company has been exploring different areas of expansion, such as glucose tracking and food logging, which could be fundamental in the future. Companies like Dexcom Inc. and Tandem Diabetes Care Inc. were also impacted by the news but managed to recover subsequently.
In summary, this Apple initiative represents one of its most ambitious efforts in the health field, demonstrating its interest in developing innovative technologies to improve people's quality of life and prevent diseases like diabetes.