Samsung earlier this week announced that its Galaxy Watch8 series will include Antioxidant Index measurement capability, marking the first time this type of health tracking has been available in a consumer smartwatch.
The feature allows users to measure carotenoid levels in their skin through a five-second scan. Carotenoids are compounds found in fruits and vegetables that accumulate in skin tissue and serve as biomarkers for dietary quality and antioxidant status.
According to Samsung’s Health H/W R&D Group, the measurement process involves placing a thumb against the watch’s rear sensor panel. The device analyzes the data and displays results through the Samsung Health app, where users can track changes over time through daily, weekly, and monthly reports.
Samsung developed the capability using its BioActive Sensor technology which employs multi-wavelength LED-based spectroscopy. The sensor emits light at multiple wavelengths (yellow, blue, purple and green) and analyzes how the skin absorbs and reflects each wavelength. The engineering team addressed several technical challenges during development, including selecting the fingertip as the measurement location to reduce melanin interference, while the pressing motion temporarily restricts blood flow to minimize hemoglobin’s impact on readings.
Development Timeline and Validation
Samsung began researching the sensor technology in 2018. The primary challenge involved miniaturizing equipment typically found in research laboratories into a form factor suitable for a wristwatch.
For validation, Samsung compared its sensor against Raman spectroscopy, a laser-based technique used in clinical settings that requires large equipment. The company also conducted clinical trials comparing sensor readings with blood test results.
In one study, several hundred participants logged and photographed all meals for a week while using the device, allowing researchers to correlate dietary intake data with sensor measurements across diverse populations. Samsung partnered with Seoul National University, Samsung Medical Center, and the University of Connecticut during the development and validation process.
Usage Recommendations
Samsung recommends users measure their Antioxidant Index one to two times daily at consistent times. Because carotenoids take two to three weeks to accumulate in skin tissue after dietary changes, the feature is designed for tracking longer-term patterns rather than immediate responses to individual meals.
The index can reflect factors beyond diet. Park mentioned that readings may temporarily drop following unusually intense exercise, when the body generates excess free radicals that consume antioxidants.
AI Integration
The Galaxy Watch8 series includes Google Gemini integration, marking the first time this AI assistant has been available on a smartwatch. Park described using Gemini to request restaurant recommendations based on antioxidant-rich menu options, suggesting potential synergies between health measurements and AI-powered guidance.
The Antioxidant Index joins other health metrics available through Samsung’s wearable ecosystem, including Sleep Score and Energy Score. Samsung positions the feature as part of a preventive health approach, particularly relevant as chronic illness rates increase among younger demographics.
The Galaxy Watch8 series shows Samsung’s continued expansion of health monitoring capabilities in consumer wearables, moving beyond fitness tracking toward more comprehensive physiological assessment.
Leave a Reply