Abbott is one of the world’s largest medical device and diagnostics companies. Its most familiar wearable is a small white disc worn on the back of the upper arm. FreeStyle Libre tracks glucose for people with diabetes, while Lingo uses similar technology for general wellness, not intended as a diagnosis tool.

How it works

A thin filament sits just beneath the skin and is coated with an enzyme that reacts with glucose. This reaction creates a small electrical current that changes as glucose levels rise and fall. The sensor takes a reading every minute, and the app shows how glucose changes after meals, exercise and sleep.

Key considerations

Each sensor lasts for up to fourteen days and must then be replaced, creating an ongoing cost. Unlike Abbott's FreeStyle Libre product, Lingo is intended for wellness and habit tracking only, and does not diagnose diabetes or provide information for medical treatment decisions.