Apple's Health VP Talks Glucose Monitoring on Apple Watch Amid Rumors of Noninvasive Tracking Breakthrough

Apple's vice president of health Sumbul Desai today spoke with Indian publication Businessline, where she talked about Apple's health initiatives and gave a tiny bit of insight into Apple's thoughts on glucose monitoring for the Apple Watch.

apple watch blood glucose feature
When asked if Apple would bring blood sugar tracking sensors to the Apple Watch, Desai said that these capabilities are "really important areas, but they require a lot of science behind them."

Her comments come just a few days after Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple has hit a milestone in its noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology. Apple has been working on this functionality for at least a decade, and now has a "proof-of-concept" model that is viable.

Noninvasive blood glucose monitoring uses a laser to shine a light under the skin to determine the concentration of glucose in the body. Now that Apple has a functioning prototype, it needs to work to slim down the hardware to make it fit in a device the size of the Apple Watch. Gurman believes that Apple is still years away from being able to bring noninvasive blood glucose monitoring to the Apple Watch, but progress is being made.

Desai also said that she believes we are at the "beginning" of health tech, which will require changing the behavior of physicians and people. She said that Apple is focused on "the customer as the individual" and how the company can "empower an individual to be holistic about their health" by providing actionable insights.

Apple's health team is "laser-focused" on continuing to build in the health space, investing in research, collaboration with the medical community, and other avenues that will help it "understand your health sooner and earlier." Apple wants people to "feel like they’re empowered and educated to drive their own health care."

Other topics of conversation included Apple's view on health privacy, the cost of Apple devices, how decisions are made on what to work on, and more, with the full interview available at Businessline.

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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
31 months ago
Bring it on. Should be on top priority. A truly life-changing feature for so many people that owns an ⌚ Apple Watch.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
31 months ago

If I had to rely on it as a diabetic I certainly wouldn't want to use the first or first few generations.

But as someone who would like to know a close number for additional health monitoring I'm all for it.

Sounds like they are taking it more seriously than the temperature monitoring.
The temperature monitoring feature needs its own stock app like blood oxygen or ECG or Heart rate. I hate the fact I have to rely on the Health app on my iPhone to obtain data. It's hidden and It's a headache! I bet so many people don't know their Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra is capable of taking human temperatures.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LoveToMacRumors Avatar
31 months ago
Honestly, probably a feature in 5-10 years.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
31 months ago
If I had to rely on it as a diabetic I certainly wouldn't want to use the first or first few generations.

But as someone who would like to know a close number for additional health monitoring I'm all for it.

Sounds like they are taking it more seriously than the temperature monitoring.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kierkegaarden Avatar
31 months ago

If I had to rely on it as a diabetic I certainly wouldn't want to use the first or first few generations.
The opposite — I would think a diabetic would want to use it immediately, and compare the results to their current testing methods each day. But wouldn’t you think Apple would be engaged in this testing for years prior to getting any approval for it?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
31 months ago
When asked if Apple would bring blood sugar tracking sensors to the Apple Watch, Desai said that these capabilities are "really important areas, but they require a lot of science behind them."

This is as vague as it gets, LOL. It is like saying that swimming requires a lot of water. Fair enough, but nothing really new.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)