Apple Tests App to Help Prediabetics Manage Blood Sugar

Apple developed an app to help prediabetics manage blood sugar by tracking diet using available devices, helping to show how food choices impact blood sugar and prevent the progression to Type 2 diabetes. While the project has been paused, its findings could inform future health tech.

Prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes, can increase the risk of developing the latter. While diabetes has no cure, prediabetes can often be reversed through lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, explains Mayo Clinic.  The app aimed to help users understand how their food choices — such as pairing carb-heavy meals with protein to reduce blood sugar spikes — can affect their condition, reports Bloomberg Linea.  

The app required Apple employees to confirm their prediabetic status through a blood test, after which they tracked blood sugar levels using available devices and logged dietary changes. Although development has been paused as Apple shifts focus to other health features, the data collected may inform future health-related products. This initiative aligns with the company’s growing interest in wearable health tech, particularly in metabolic health tracking.

Earlier this year, companies like Dexcom and Abbott launched over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for prediabetic individuals and non-insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetics. Startups such as Nutrisense and Levels also offer CGMs for tracking how foods impact blood sugar levels, further fueling interest in this area.