Fitbit models get new health features

The Fitbit Air and Fitbit Edge now include features that track insulin resistance and blood pressure trends, but these are only available to users of Google Health Premium. These additions are part of Google’s ongoing efforts to expand its health-related offerings and include a continuous glucose monitor in development.

Health Guardian suite expands to Fitbit

The new features are part of Google’s "Health Guardian" suite, which is also available on Pixel Watches. This suite includes tools for monitoring various health metrics and is designed to provide users with more comprehensive health insights beyond basic fitness tracking.

Google Health Premium subscription details

Google Health Premium is an annual subscription that costs 80 euros. It gives users access to an AI-based health coach, advanced sleep tracking, and expanded health monitoring features. The subscription is required to access the new blood pressure and insulin resistance tracking capabilities on Fitbit devices.

Blood pressure tracking without a cuff

The Fitbit Air and Edge can track blood pressure without the need for a cuff, monitoring pulse both when the user is asleep and awake. Monthly analyses are provided, and eligible users who have worn the device for at least five days can view this information in the "Health" tab of the app.

Insulin resistance monitoring explained

The insulin resistance feature uses Fitbit sensors to monitor changes in metabolic health. It focuses on general trends rather than direct diagnosis and can alert users to take additional measures if high patterns of insulin resistance are detected. This is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and may help users understand their metabolic health in a less invasive way.

Non-invasive approach to glucose monitoring

Unlike a continuous glucose monitor, which uses blood to collect data, the insulin resistance feature evaluates biometric and metabolic patterns through a multimodal model. Google trained this model using data from other wearable devices and demographic information, as noted in an article published in Nature.

Connecting with external devices

Fitbit users can connect their Abbott CGM to the Google Health app for additional blood sugar monitoring. This allows them to combine the insights from the Fitbit device with more precise glucose data from the CGM, offering a more complete picture of their health.

Expanding access to health monitoring

By offering the Health Guardian features on Fitbit devices, Google provides more users—especially those who are budget-conscious—with the ability to monitor and anticipate common health conditions. The Fitbit Air and Edge are priced at 100 or 180 euros, making them more accessible than the flagship Pixel Watches.

Non-invasive blood sugar monitoring progress

While the insulin resistance feature is not as advanced as a non-invasive CGM, Google’s use of a multimodal model that tracks biometric responses to insulin activity suggests progress in this area. Non-invasive blood sugar monitoring has been a long-standing goal for many technology companies, with varying degrees of success.

Competitive landscape in health tech

Rumors suggest that Apple has also been working on similar projects for years. However, Google may be ahead in this area, with its latest developments indicating a more mature approach to non-invasive blood sugar monitoring compared to some of its competitors.