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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers cautioning that any "smartwatch" or wearable ring device that claims it can monitor your blood sugar levels has not been FDA approved.
"Do not buy or use smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels," the FDA warned in an announcement Wednesday.
"The FDA has not authorized, cleared, or approved any smartwatch or smart ring that is intended to measure or estimate blood glucose values on its own," the agency said.
A quick search on Amazon for "blood sugar ring" in the US turns of tons of results for cheap metal rings that promise to "keep track of the flow of sugar in your body" by using a "magnetic field." Unfortunately, many have already fallen for these lofty false claims, and have written negative reviews expressing their surprise and disappointment that the rings don't work.
Some of the rings claim not only to control blood sugar, but also to provide a host of other dramatic health benefits, including that they're "magic anti-snore rings." Don't fall for it.
There are also entire websites spun up to sell "non-invasive glucose monitoring smartwatches." These sites may appear legitimate on the surface and even boast thousands of five-star reviews with photos, but don't trust them. Some of them may try to sell you watches in bulk, offering deals if you buy two or four at a time. These fake watches also promise heaps of health-tracking features and claim their products are FDA-approved, which they are not. These sites are designed to trick consumers.
"They claim to use non-invasive techniques. These smartwatches and smart rings do not directly test blood glucose levels," the FDA said.
There also aren't any apps can that track your blood sugar on their own. There are some valid companion apps, however, that you can use in conjunction with an FDA-approved skin-pricking device to essentially log your own blood sugar levels over time.
While researchers at Synex Medical developed a metal box last year that can reportedly monitor blood sugar levels without pricking the skin, nothing of the sort has been FDA approved or hit the market yet. Both Apple and Samsung are still researching how they might be able to implement a needle-free blood sugar monitor into their smartwatches.
So if you're looking for a device that can actually monitor your blood sugar levels, the FDA advises diabetics and those with other health concerns to speak with their doctors for a list of FDA-authorized devices.