“Scientists have been in search of a more cost-effective, non-invasive, and accurate diabetes monitoring alternative to blood sugar testing.”

Is there a better way to check blood glucose than uncomfortable fingersticks?

For people with diabetes who use self-management of blood glucose (SMBG) to monitor diabetes progress, fingersticks can wear on one’s fingertips, emotional well-being, and bank account.

Even continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that provide around-the-clock glucose information and reduce the need for fingersticks, help with finger fatigue. But for many, they are not an affordable option.

Is there another option to check one’s glucose that is less painful and accurate?

The answer could be saliva-based glucose readings.

“Lab tests of the saliva process have shown promising results with an accuracy rate of 95.2%. The research has been published in the journal PLOS ONE,” wrote Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli for Medical Dialogues.

Currently, companies like iQ Group Global and GBS inc. are developing Saliva Glucose Biosensors. This biosensor is a small strip that once matched with someone’s saliva offers an immediate glucose check and sends the results to an app on one’s phone.

Once these new systems are approved, it will be a game-changer.

Though saliva-based glucose testing has not yet hit the markets, for the millions of people that continue to perform finger sticks, we hope that saliva glucose testing will be available soon.

To read more, click here or visit iQ Group Global and GBS Inc websites.

Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer

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