Samsung has brought real-time nutrition tracking to wearables with the Galaxy Watch8. The watch features an Antioxidant Index, which measures carotenoid levels in just five seconds using a fingertip scan.
By miniaturizing lab-grade sensor technology, the device translates dietary intake into measurable health data, the result of years of research, multiple prototypes, and clinical validation.
Breaking New Ground in Nutrition Tracking
Wearables have tracked steps and calories for years, but measuring the impact of diet remained inaccessible outside labs. Samsung focused on carotenoids, key antioxidants that indicate fruit and vegetable intake and correlate with long-term health.
Dr. Hyojee Joung, public health nutrition expert from Seoul National University, guided the development, helping turn complex antioxidant research into wearable insights.
Miniaturizing Lab-Grade Technology
Traditional carotenoid measurement relies on bulky Raman spectroscopy machines. Over seven years, Samsung developed a coin-sized sensor combining multi-wavelength LEDs with photodetector arrays.
Jinyoung Park, a Digital Health team developer, integrated reflectance spectroscopy with LEDs to maintain high accuracy in a compact design. Advanced algorithms continuously calibrate readings for personalized results.
Ensuring Accuracy Across All Users
Skin tone and blood flow can affect readings. Samsung scans the fingertip, where melanin is minimal, and uses light pressure to reduce hemoglobin interference. Clinical trials at Samsung Medical Center with hundreds of participants validated accuracy across diverse users.
How the Antioxidant Index Works
Carotenoids, pigments in fruits and vegetables, reflect dietary intake. The Galaxy Watch8 translates fingertip scans into an Antioxidant Index with three categories: very low, low, and optimal.
Skin carotenoids accumulate gradually, with meaningful changes after one to two weeks of consistent intake. Lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, and activity also influence the score, providing a holistic health indicator.
Steps for Using the Antioxidant Index:
- Place fingertip on the sensor for five seconds.
- Receive carotenoid reading categorized as very low, low, or optimal.
- Track long-term dietary habits and combine with Galaxy Watch8 features like sleep and activity tracking.
Professor Yoonho Choi from Samsung Medical Center notes that tracking fruit and vegetable intake via wearables can support long-term health and reduce age-related disease risks. By integrating lab-grade nutrition tracking, Samsung sets a benchmark in wearable health monitoring.
Availability
The Antioxidant Index is available only with the Galaxy Watch Ultra or later released Galaxy Watch series.