- Antioxidant Index uses miniaturized lab-grade spectroscopy to measure carotenoids in five seconds
- Breakthrough tech bridges science and lifestyle, empowering healthier aging through real-time nutrition insights
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 24
What if you could measure your nutrition in real time — right from your wrist?
Samsung has turned that idea into reality. Its new Antioxidant Index on the Galaxy Watch8 transforms what once seemed like science fiction into everyday health tracking.
In just five seconds, a simple thumb scan reveals precise carotenoid levels — the industry’s first measurable nutrition index. By miniaturizing lab-grade spectroscopy into a watch sensor, Samsung has opened a new frontier in personalized wellness.
This innovation represents years of rigorous R&D, hundreds of prototypes, and an unwavering belief in making advanced science accessible to everyone.
Breaking New Ground in Nutrition Science
Back in 2018, Samsung identified a critical gap in wearables. Smartwatches could count steps and calories but couldn’t show how diet truly affected health. Nutritional insights were locked behind costly lab tests, far from daily reach.
“As people live longer, the focus is shifting from simply increasing lifespan to improving the quality of those additional years,” says Dr. Hyojee Joung, public health nutrition expert at Seoul National University, who advised on the technology’s development.
“In this context, antioxidation naturally gains attention as a method to slow down aging. If antioxidant management is neglected, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) accumulate in the body, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer,” adds Dr. Joung.
This understanding made antioxidants the cornerstone of Samsung’s mission. Engineers zeroed in on carotenoids — key indicators of fruit and vegetable intake — to create a compact yet powerful device capable of turning complex antioxidant data into simple, actionable health insights.
Challenge 1: Shrinking a Lab into a Sensor
Traditional carotenoid measurement tools like Raman spectroscopy are precise but bulky — not exactly wearable. Samsung’s challenge: shrink a laboratory-grade system into a coin-sized sensor.
After seven years of research, the team achieved a breakthrough: integrating reflectance spectroscopy with multi-wavelength LEDs and a custom photodetector array.
“Our breakthrough was integrating reflectance spectroscopy with LEDs, which allowed us to miniaturize the technology while maintaining a high level of accuracy,” explains Jinyoung Park, from Samsung’s Digital Health team.
By analyzing how the skin absorbs light at various wavelengths, the watch estimates carotenoid levels with remarkable precision. Adaptive algorithms then calibrate readings in real time for personalized results.
Challenge 2: Making It Work for Everyone
Having created the sensor, Samsung faced a new challenge — ensuring reliable accuracy across all skin tones.
To address melanin interference, engineers designed the measurement to take place at the fingertip, where melanin concentration is lowest. They also introduced gentle fingertip pressure to reduce blood-flow interference, further enhancing accuracy.
Extensive trials at Samsung Medical Center, involving hundreds of participants, validated the sensor’s consistency and inclusivity. The result: a universally adaptable technology designed for real-world use.
How the Antioxidant Index Works
Carotenoids — natural pigments found in colorful fruits and vegetables — act as vital antioxidants that protect the body from oxidative stress. Since the body can’t produce them, their presence reveals how much fruit and vegetables a person consumes.
The Antioxidant Index expresses this data in three easy-to-understand ranges:
- Very Low: Less than 50% of WHO’s recommended 400g/day fruit & vegetable intake
- Low: Between 50%–100%
- Optimal: 100% or more
“Skin carotenoids metabolize and accumulate gradually, so short-term changes in diet don’t immediately reflect in the score,” explains Dr. Joung. “Consistent intake over one to two weeks leads to meaningful improvements.”
The index also integrates factors like sleep, stress, and activity levels, offering a holistic picture of wellness. Paired with the Galaxy Watch8’s existing features — Sleep Coaching, Activity Tracking, and Vascular Load Monitoring — users gain an unmatched view of their overall health.
Your Health, Reimagined
“New wearable sensors can help people build healthy eating habits by tracking and encouraging sufficient daily intake of fruits and vegetables,” says Professor Yoonho Choi from Samsung Medical Center. “Over time, this can prevent some cancers and age-related diseases, making it a simple yet powerful tool for long-term wellness.”
Samsung’s Antioxidant Index marks a global benchmark in wearable health innovation. It empowers users to detect risks early, make proactive choices, and embrace a lifestyle of preventive, data-driven health care.
With the Galaxy Watch8, Samsung isn’t just tracking your steps — it’s tracking your vitality.
