Smart ring uses sweat to measure glucose — Study

A smart ring that measures glucose levels without drawing blood could soon transform the future of personal health monitoring.

Researchers have developed a prototype wearable that analyses sweat to track key biomarkers, including glucose, lactate and alcohol levels.

If successfully commercialised, the technology could eliminate the need for frequent finger-prick blood tests, making continuous health monitoring easier and more convenient.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, mark a significant step toward solving one of wearable technology’s biggest challenges: accurately measuring blood-based health markers without invasive procedures.

Unlike current glucose monitoring methods that rely on blood samples, the experimental ring uses an osmotic hydrogel to gently draw sweat from the skin. This allows it to collect readings even when the wearer is not visibly sweating, paving the way for continuous, real-time health monitoring.

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Scientists say the ring’s measurements closely match those obtained through traditional blood analysis, potentially making it more accurate than many existing optical sensing technologies being developed for wearable devices.

The prototype, however, is still far from reaching consumers. It is bulkier than today’s commercial smart rings and operates for only about 12 hours on a single charge, underscoring the engineering challenges that must be overcome before it becomes a practical everyday device.

Despite these limitations, researchers believe the breakthrough offers a glimpse into the future of wearable healthcare.