Will Continuous Glucose Monitors Surpass the Juicing Fad?

Do you know precisely what those peaches, blueberries, and oatmeal are going to do to your blood sugar? Should you? Questions along these lines are sweeping the the landscape of wellness trends. So maybe continuous glucose monitors will surpass the the juicing fad that peaked back in 2016.

A Vast OTC Market

The Abbott Lingo™ Biosensor, publicity photo by Abbott

Abbott and Dexcom both won FDA approval to market continuous glucose monitors to consumers without a prescription earlier this year. They see the potential for a multi-billion dollar consumer wellness trend, tapping into millions of people with diabetes who do not depend on insulin, millions more with prediabetes, and yet more health-conscious people who are striving to get even healthier.

Margaret Kaczor Andrew is an investment analyst who sees a big opportunity. She told clients in June:

“Both companies are targeting one of the arguably largest medical technology markets we have ever seen.”

A Grain of Salt

Palpable consumer hype for this is building. Abbott’s website for the Lingo tells us they have a whole new approach to nutrition for us. “Your body has the answers,” they say. “Don’t just eat right. Eat what’s right for you.”

But before wearing one of these sensors becomes a fashion statement comparable to Lululemon, Robert Shmerling, Senior Faculty Editor at Harvard Health Publishing, has a word of caution to offer:

“Just because you can measure something doesn’t mean you should. If you’re focused on potentially normal fluctuations in blood sugar, maybe that takes focus and energy away from things you could be looking at more closely.”

Take heed and beware of the hype.

Click here for more from the Washington Post, here for further perspective from Shmerling.

Breakfast, photograph by Ted Kyle / ConscienHealth

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August 14, 2024